1998 Ford E-150
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 2 |
| 1991 | 15 |
| 1992 | 64 |
| 1993 | 71 |
| 1994 | 121 |
| 1995 | 71 |
| 1996 | 59 |
| 1997 | 102 |
| 1998 | 60 |
| 1999 | 83 |
| 2000 | 50 |
| 2001 | 37 |
| 2002 | 28 |
| 2003 | 21 |
| 2004 | 33 |
| 2005 | 16 |
| 2006 | 16 |
| 2007 | 12 |
| 2008 | 11 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2011 | 23 |
| 2012 | 12 |
| 2013 | 19 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 0 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
8% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 5 distinct reports on file.
7% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 4 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE SKIDS AND THE PEDAL DOES NOT KICK BACK. ALSO THE ABS DOES NOT ACTIVATE. VEHICLE HAS REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE 3 TIMES, AND SAID IT WAS NORMAL. CAN NOT FIND PROBLEM ON COMPUTER. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20000121
7% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 4 distinct reports on file.
5% of complaints: tires — 3 distinct reports on file.
5% of complaints: suspension — 3 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL HEAVILY VIBRATE IF THE MOTOR GO OVER 50 MPH CAUSING IT TO BE HARD TO CONTROL. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR
NHTSA ODI report, 20021018
SAFETY TIMELINE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN VANS WITH AMBULANCE PREP PACKAGES OR OTHER SEVERE-DUTY APPLICATIONS INVOLVING OPERATION AT OR NEAR THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT WITH FREQUENT TWISTING OF THE VEHICLE BODY
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK AND, IF CRACKED, WILL REPLACE THE TANK. INSULATOR PADS WILL BE INSTALLED ON ALL VEHICLES TO REDUCE THE STRESS LEVELS IN THE FUEL TANK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APR
Campaign 01V114000 — check if this car was fixed
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, S
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION
Campaign 07V336000 — check if this car was fixed
FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCUR
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 08V051000 — check if this car was fixed
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CO
Campaign 09V399000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1998 Ford E-150 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (5 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (4 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (4 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 01V114000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V336000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08V051000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09V399000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1998 Ford E-150 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Ford E-150 is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Ford E-150?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling:engine, accounting for 8% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Ford E-150 have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.