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1998 Ford Econoline
The 1998 Ford Econoline appears in 2 NHTSA recall campaigns (vehicle speed control and equipment) and in 45 consumer complaints filed with the agency.
The component named most often is service brakes, hydraulic: 169.5 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 107.5 per 1,000 across all 1998 model-year vehicles and against 176.7 per 1,000 for the Ford Econoline line as a whole.
That is more than the average of 18.8 complaints per model year across the 48 Ford Econoline model years on this register; 0 complaints reported a crash and 1 a fire.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 2000 (8); the most recent in the file is dated 8 Jun 2015.
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 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: Vehicle description: bi-fuel cng pickup trucks and bi-fuel cng vans, modified by cfi control systems, INC., fail to conform to the requirements of FMVSS no. 303, "fuel system integrity of compressed natural gas vehicles." the label affixed to the fuel filler door by the vehicle modifier contains the inspection date and expiration date of the cng tank. However, it does not contain the statement "see instructions on the fuel container for inspection and service life."
Consequence: These vehicles do not comply with the requirements.
Remedy: Owners will be provided a label with the required statement, along with instructions for affixing the label at the fuel filler door. Owner notification began november 2, 2000. 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 00L07).
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 Econoline (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 | Econoline line | All 1998 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 169.5 | 176.7 | 107.5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 135.6 | 105.9 | 43.3 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 118.6 | 116.4 | 124.5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 84.7 | 75.2 | 36.4 |
| Tires | 84.7 | 70.9 | 52.1 |
| Suspension | 67.8 | 47.2 | 82.7 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 1998 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 10 | 169.5 | 176.7 | 107.5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 | 135.6 | 105.9 | 43.3 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 7 | 118.6 | 116.4 | 124.5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 | 84.7 | 75.2 | 36.4 |
| Tires | 5 | 84.7 | 70.9 | 52.1 |
| Suspension | 4 | 67.8 | 47.2 | 82.7 |
| Electrical System | 3 | 50.8 | 82.2 | 82.5 |
| Visibility | 3 | 50.8 | 28.9 | 56.5 |
| Air Bags | 2 | 33.9 | 21 | 49.3 |
| Structure | 2 | 33.9 | 33.2 | 45.5 |
| Equipment | 2 | 33.9 | 23.6 | 22.9 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 33.9 | 7.9 | 27.3 |
| Wheels | 2 | 33.9 | 30.6 | 10.9 |
| Seats | 1 | 16.9 | 18.4 | 16.4 |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 16.9 | 6.1 | 3.8 |
| Steering | 1 | 16.9 | 47.2 | 55.7 |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 16.9 | 7 | 21.7 |
45 unique complaints, 59 component mentions; 0 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 Econoline model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 16,000 |
| 1969 | 3 | 0 | 134,850 |
| 1971 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 765 |
| 1972 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 32,088 |
| 1975 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 252,000 |
| 1976 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 252,000 |
| 1977 | 2 | 0 | 264,500 |
| 1978 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 19,000 |
| 1979 | 7 | 1 | 240,500 |
| 1980 | 3 | 1 | 102,500 |
| 1981 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 1,650 |
| 1982 | 2 | 1 | 493 |
| 1983 | 5 | 2 | 311,312 |
| 1984 | 6 | 7 | 298,800 |
| 1985 | 5 | 10 | 282,875 |
| 1986 | 5 | 7 | 3,874,375 |
| 1987 | 4 | 15 | 3,804,250 |
| 1988 NHTSA | 0 | 22 | — |
| 1989 | 2 | 32 | 461,000 |
| 1990 | 4 | 30 | 487,010 |
| 1991 | 3 | 24 | 376,010 |
| 1992 | 3 | 83 | 255,287 |
| 1993 | 3 | 64 | 232,323 |
| 1994 | 4 | 123 | 1,431,194 |
| 1995 | 4 | 73 | 1,445,290 |
| 1996 | 3 | 81 | 1,478,400 |
| 1997 | 2 | 79 | 230,000 |
| 1998 | 2 | 45 | 229,500 |
| 1999 | 5 | 84 | 236,043 |
| 2000 | 3 | 39 | 232,800 |
| 2001 | 3 | 28 | 225,076 |
| 2002 | 2 | 23 | 225,064 |
| 2003 | 2 | 22 | 225,064 |
| 2005 | 2 | 0 | 436 |
| 2006 | 2 | 0 | 436 |
| 2007 | 2 | 0 | 436 |
| 2009 NHTSA | 1 | 1 | 3,868 |
| 2010 NHTSA | 1 | 1 | 3,868 |
| 2011 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 3,868 |
| 2012 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 3,868 |
| 2013 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 3,868 |
| 2014 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 3,868 |
| 2015 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 3,868 |
| 2016 NHTSA | 1 | 1 | 3,868 |
| 2017 NHTSA | 1 | 3 | 1,456,417 |
| 2018 | 2 | 0 | 1,456,742 |
| 2019 | 2 | 0 | 1,456,742 |
| 2026 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 6,909 |
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 Econoline model years · Ford: 201 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 1998 Ford Econoline have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 08V051000, was reported to NHTSA on 4 Feb 2008 and concerns vehicle speed control:cruise control. Across all model years the Ford Econoline line has 58 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 1998 Ford Econoline?
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 Econoline complain about most?
Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 10 of 59 component mentions (169.5 per 1,000). Next is vehicle speed control with 8. 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.