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1998 Ford E-150
4 recall campaigns and 60 complaints are on NHTSA's register for the 1998 Ford E-150; the recalls concern vehicle speed control and fuel system, gasoline.
The component named most often is engine and engine cooling: 197.5 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 124.5 per 1,000 across all 1998 model-year vehicles and against 100.2 per 1,000 for the Ford E-150 line as a whole.
That is more than the average of 33.4 complaints per model year across the 28 Ford E-150 model years on this register; 4 complaints reported a crash and 1 a fire.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 2003 (10); the most recent in the file is dated 10 Apr 2017.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation has opened 1 investigation naming this model year.
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA. Recall text is the manufacturer's Part 573 report as filed with NHTSA. Complaint file through 15 May 2019; recall file through 29 Sep 2026.
Recalls by model year:
Recall campaigns
Defect, as filed: 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 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Consequence: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
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 connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.
Filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY (manufacturer campaign 09S09).
Defect, as filed: 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 mercury grand marquis, and my 1992-1995 lincoln town car vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired using a wiring harness that is not compatible with the vehicle circuit polarity.
Consequence: As a result, the fuse is located in the output circuit rather than in the intended input power feed circuit, and may not offer the intended protection in the event of an electrical short to ground.
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.
Filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY (manufacturer campaign 08S01).
Defect, as filed: 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, smoke, or burn.
Consequence: This could result in an underhood fire.
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 switch disconnected as an interim repair. As soon as repair parts are available (expected october 2007), owners will be instructed to return to the dealers for installation of a fused wiring harness. The recall began on august 13, 2007, and mailing completed by september 19, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.
Filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY (manufacturer campaign 05S28).
Defect, as filed: 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, such as off-road, rough road or speed bump events, the 35 gallon mid-ship fuel tank could develop a crack where it contacts the frame cross member. If the fuel tank cracks, fuel leakage could occur.
Consequence: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
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 april 19, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY (manufacturer campaign 01S14).
Each entry links to the NHTSA record. NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are free of charge at an authorised dealer; check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Component mentions per 1,000 for the 1998 Ford E-150 (black) against all 1998 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 1998 | E-150 line | All 1998 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 197.5 | 100.2 | 124.5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 123.5 | 137.3 | 107.5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 111.1 | 96.3 | 36.4 |
| Power Train | 86.4 | 61.6 | 90.9 |
| Steering | 86.4 | 71.8 | 55.7 |
| Suspension | 74.1 | 66.3 | 82.7 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 1998 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 16 | 197.5 | 100.2 | 124.5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 10 | 123.5 | 137.3 | 107.5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 9 | 111.1 | 96.3 | 36.4 |
| Power Train | 7 | 86.4 | 61.6 | 90.9 |
| Steering | 7 | 86.4 | 71.8 | 55.7 |
| Suspension | 6 | 74.1 | 66.3 | 82.7 |
| Tires | 4 | 49.4 | 55.2 | 52.1 |
| Visibility | 3 | 37 | 22.1 | 56.5 |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 37 | 19.7 | 22.5 |
| Wheels | 3 | 37 | 17.4 | 10.9 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 24.7 | 68.7 | 43.3 |
| Structure | 2 | 24.7 | 41.8 | 45.5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 | 24.7 | 14.2 | 2.8 |
| Electrical System | 1 | 12.3 | 77.3 | 82.5 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 12.3 | 3.2 | 7.5 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 12.3 | 7.9 | 27.3 |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 12.3 | 2.4 | 3.8 |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 12.3 | 16.6 | 21.7 |
| Seats | 1 | 12.3 | 11 | 16.4 |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 1 | 12.3 | 5.5 | 0.4 |
60 unique complaints, 81 component mentions; 4 injuries and 0 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
| Action | Type | Subject | Component | Opened | Closed | Recall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DP05005 | Defect petition | SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD | engine and engine cooling:engine | 22 Sep 2005 | 4 Jan 2006 | — |
Other Ford E-150 model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 NHTSA | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1991 NHTSA | 1 | 15 | 350,000 |
| 1992 | 4 | 64 | 8,354,052 |
| 1993 | 4 | 69 | 8,331,088 |
| 1994 | 7 | 117 | 5,933,357 |
| 1995 | 3 | 70 | 5,925,000 |
| 1996 | 3 | 59 | 5,925,000 |
| 1997 | 5 | 100 | 8,476,013 |
| 1998 | 4 | 60 | 8,476,000 |
| 1999 | 5 | 82 | 8,478,893 |
| 2000 | 5 | 48 | 8,476,004 |
| 2001 | 4 | 35 | 8,476,000 |
| 2002 | 3 | 25 | 8,325,000 |
| 2003 | 5 | 21 | 8,792,925 |
| 2004 | 4 | 32 | 468,051 |
| 2005 | 2 | 15 | 126 |
| 2006 | 13 | 16 | 259,873 |
| 2007 | 17 | 11 | 60,502 |
| 2008 | 16 | 10 | 3,407 |
| 2009 | 11 | 7 | 1,364 |
| 2010 | 6 | 9 | 920 |
| 2011 | 10 | 20 | 6,002 |
| 2012 | 7 | 9 | 1,190 |
| 2013 | 5 | 18 | 1,103 |
| 2014 | 6 | 6 | 1,107 |
| 2015 NHTSA | 1 | 8 | 4 |
| 2016 NHTSA | 1 | 8 | 4 |
| 2023 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 5,247 |
Model years with a single campaign and fewer than 25 complaints have no page here; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record for that year.
All Ford E-150 model years · Ford: 201 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 1998 Ford E-150 have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 09V399000, was reported to NHTSA on 13 Oct 2009 and concerns vehicle speed control. Across all model years the Ford E-150 line has 48 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 1998 Ford E-150?
NHTSA's investigation file lists 1 action naming this model year; the table above shows each action's opening and closing dates. An action with no closing date was still open when the file was produced.
What component do owners of the 1998 Ford E-150 complain about most?
Engine and Engine Cooling: 16 of 81 component mentions (197.5 per 1,000). Next is service brakes, hydraulic with 10. Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
How do I get a recall repaired?
NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer's authorised dealers. Each campaign's remedy text above is the manufacturer's statement as filed with NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, downloaded 29 Sep 2026. Complaint counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; component figures count each component a complaint names. The NHTSA record linked from each campaign is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation flat files (recalls, complaints, investigations), public domain, files dated 29 Sep 2026 (recalls) and 15 May 2019 (complaints). Complaints since 1 Jan 1995. Counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; per-1,000 rates divide a component's mentions by all mentions for the same group. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections and the methodology.