Total Complaints
35 filings
FORD CLUB WAGON · model year
35 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1998FORDCLUB WAGON carries 35 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1998 CLUB WAGON is engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline with 4 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (3) and vehicle speed control:cables (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 1998 CLUB WAGON, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
35 filings
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 4 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 3 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2 |
| ENGINE | 2 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 1 |
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:TORSION BAR | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 1 |
FORD TELLS ME THIS DOES NOT PERTAIN TO MY 1998 E350 7.3L DIESEL, AND THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE RECALLED PART FROM FORD RECALL NO. 07S57 MY VEHICLE STALLS ON AVERAGE 2-3 TIME PER MONTH, CAUSING ME TO QUICKLY PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL - RESTART THE ENGINE BEFORE ALL MY BREAKS ARE GONE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR APPROX 3 YEARS NOW. I'VE HAD A FEW CLOSE CALLS BECAUSE OF THIS. FORD RECALL NO. 07S57 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V553000NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA06012 THE FOLLOWING IS FROM THE NHTSA SITE: " VEHICLE MAKE / MODEL: MODEL YEAR(S): FORD / E-SERIES 1997-2003 FORD / EXCURSION 1997-2003 FORD / F-250 SD 1997-2003 FORD / F-350 SD 1997-2003 FORD / F-450 SD 1997-2003 FORD / F-550 SD 1997-2003 MANUFACTURER: FORD MOTOR COMPANYREPORT RECEIPT DATE: DEC 05, 2007 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V553000NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA06012 COMPONENT: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 1,176,
Mileage: 130,000
FORD TELLS ME THIS DOES NOT PERTAIN TO MY 1998 E350 7.3L DIESEL, AND THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE RECALLED PART FROM FORD RECALL NO. 07S57 MY VEHICLE STALLS ON AVERAGE 2-3 TIME PER MONTH, CAUSING ME TO QUICKLY PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL - RESTART THE ENGINE BEFORE ALL MY BREAKS ARE GONE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR APPROX 3 YEARS NOW. I'VE HAD A FEW CLOSE CALLS BECAUSE OF THIS. FORD RECALL NO. 07S57 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V553000NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA06012 THE FOLLOWING IS FROM THE NHTSA SITE: " VEHICLE MAKE / MODEL: MODEL YEAR(S): FORD / E-SERIES 1997-2003 FORD / EXCURSION 1997-2003 FORD / F-250 SD 1997-2003 FORD / F-350 SD 1997-2003 FORD / F-450 SD 1997-2003 FORD / F-550 SD 1997-2003 MANUFACTURER: FORD MOTOR COMPANYREPORT RECEIPT DATE: DEC 05, 2007 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V553000NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA06012 COMPONENT: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 1,176,
Mileage: 130,000
I BECAME ONE MORE VICTIM OF AN UNACCEPTABLE DESIGN FLAW FOISTED UPON THE MOTORING PUBLIC BY THE ONCE PROUD FORD MOTOR COMPANY. #3 SPARK PLUG TOOK AN UNAPPROVED LEAVE OF ABSENCE AND HAS GROUNDED MY E-350 VAN FOR THE PAST 2 MONTHS. I AM WEIGHING MY OPTIONS; SHOULD I ATTEMPT AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR ONLY TO HAVE IT FAIL IN THE NEAR FUTURE OR SHOULD I RETURN IT TO THE SHOWROOM OF MY CLOSEST FORD DEALER AFTER HOURS? SO MUCH FOR THE ENGINEERING THAT LED TO WINS AT LE MANS IN THE 1960'S. THERE WAS NO VEHICLE FIRE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS MISHAP; HOWEVER, I HAVE SEEN PICTURES OF FIRES DUE TO THIS PROBLEM SUFFERED BY OTHERS. I AM ONE AMONG THOUSANDS OF FORD TRUCK OWNERS DEALING WITH THIS SITUATION. *TR
Mileage: 185,000
SPARK PLUG BLEW FROM ENGINE, WILL NOT THREAD BACK INTO BLOCK.
FORD E-350 VAN W/ V10 ENGINE BLEW A SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE CYLINDER. *TR
Mileage: 76,000
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR OUR 1998 FORD CLUB WAGON IN AUGUST 2007. I KEEP CALLING TO GET AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE PART(IT HAS TO DO WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL DEFECT THAT CAN CATCH FIRE) AND NO ONE HAS THE PARTS. IN SEPTEMBER, WE RECEIVE A CARD SAYING THAT THE THAT "UNFORESEEN SHORTAGE" HAS MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR FORD TO REPLACE THE PART AT THIS TIME. THEY ARE OFFERING A "BAND AID" APPROACH BY ONLY DISCONNECTING THE CRUISE CONTROL UNTIL THE PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE. I FIND THIS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE. THE BEAN COUNTER OBVIOUSLY BLEW IT FOR FORD AND NOW WE THE CONSUMERS ARE PAYING THE PRICE. I CALLED AGAIN TODAY, NOVEMBER 3, AND STILL THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AND WAS TOLD THEY MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL JANUARY? I ALSO FOUND OUT TODAY THAT OUR LINCOLN TOWN CAR IS ON THE LIST AND WE HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION CONCERNING THIS CAR! NOW, WE HAVE TWO CARS WAITING FOR A PART THAT WON'T BE AVAILABLE UNTIL WHO KNOW WHEN! NO ONE CAN PROVIDE A STRAIGHT ANSWER. I WOULD SINCERELY APPREC
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL BECAME STUCK IN THE ON POSITION, RAISING THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE TO OVER 90 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO A REST AREA. A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP WAS CONSULTED, WHO DISCONNECTED THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE AT THE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH CLOSED THE THROTTLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 10/17/2006 - *NM
Mileage: 112,382
VIN FMRE11LXWHC14619 1998 FORD VAN CLUB WAGON V8 TRITON ENGINE 5.4 LITER- SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MCCOY AND MILLS FORD 700 WEST COMMONWEALTH, FULLERTON CA 92832 WORK ORDER 985469 APPRX DATE FEB 11,2005 CUSTOMER #WHC14619. FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPT. QUOTED A REPAIR FEE FOR HEAD REPLACEMENT OF MINIMUM $3500. FOR BLOW OUT OF SPARK PLUG AND CYLINDER DAMAGE. WHEN MS. MABRY INQUIRED OF THE COST FOR THE ENTIRE NEW ENGINE REPLACEMENT AS OPPOSED TO ONLY ONE CYLINDER REPAIR, THE RESPONSE WAS--A MINIMUM OF $5600. FAILURE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES: SINCE VEHICLE OWNER MABRY DID NOT HAVE $3500 , THEN MABRY AGAIN PAID ANOTHER TOWING SERVICE TO TOW VEHICLE TO MABRY A DISTANCE OF APPROX 150 MILES (A VERY EXPENSIVE TOWING FEE). THE THIRD TOWING WAS TO A REPAIR SHOP 25 APPX MILES FROM SHY LANE. PARTIAL TOWING FEES $250 CASH AND $128 CASH TO 3 GUYS TOWING, FULLERTON CA. THE REPAIR OF #3 SPARK PLUG CYLINDER DAMAGE, IGNITION COIL, HELICOIL. THE REPLACED PARTS WERE SAVED.
Mileage: 104,029
ALL FOUR WHEEL RIMS WERE BENT, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK ALL 5 RIMS WERE BENT. BUT NO FLATS. THE CONSUMER BOUGHT A NEW RIM TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO AND IN MAY BOUGHT FOUR NEW MICHELIN TIRES 245/75/16 MLS. AT NTB WHO SHOWED THE CONSUMER THE BENT RIMS. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO VIBRATE. THE CONSUMER THOUGHT THE NEW TIRES WOULD SOLVE THE VIBRATION PROBLEM, BUT IT DIDN'T. THE VEHICLE ALSO NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. *SCC *JB
Mileage: 33,000
ALL FOUR WHEEL RIMS WERE BENT, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK ALL 5 RIMS WERE BENT. BUT NO FLATS. THE CONSUMER BOUGHT A NEW RIM TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO AND IN MAY BOUGHT FOUR NEW MICHELIN TIRES 245/75/16 MLS. AT NTB WHO SHOWED THE CONSUMER THE BENT RIMS. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO VIBRATE. THE CONSUMER THOUGHT THE NEW TIRES WOULD SOLVE THE VIBRATION PROBLEM, BUT IT DIDN'T. THE VEHICLE ALSO NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. *SCC *JB
Mileage: 33,000
FRONT ROTORS WARP FOR APPARENTLY NO REASONABLE CAUSE. MASTER MECHANIC SUGGESTS ITS DUE TO MASS OF ROTORS NOT LARGE ENOUGH TO HANDLE BRAKING LOADS, OR BAD MATERIALS. SAME WITH WARPED REAR BRAKE DRUMS. THIS VEHICLE IS NOW ON ITS SECOND SET OF ROTORS (6-21-2002), AND THEY HAVE BEEN LATHE TURNED TO THE LIMIT OF THEIR WIDTH. ROTORS HAVE NOW WARPED AGAIN, BUT I'LL CONTINUE TO PUT UP WITH THE PULSATION TILL IT DRIVES ME CRAZY. I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA AND BRAKING IS NOT A CONSTANT THING HERE. THIS VAN IS USED TO TRANSPORT MY CHILDREN AND FOR ERRANDS, SO THE VEHICLE (FORD E350 1 TON CLUB WAGON VAN) IS NOT BEING WORKED HARD.*AK
CONSUMER LEANED BACK ON HIS DRIVER SEAT TO HAND SON SOME WATER AND SEAT COLLAPSED, AND WILL NOT RETURN BACK TO NORMAL POSITION. *AK
ENGINE BLEWOUT WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. AS CONSUMER WAS DRIVING/TURNING VEHICLE SHUTDOWN. DASHBOARD DID NOT SHOW ANY WARNING LIGHTS, AND VEHICLE WAS WELL MAINTAINED. MECHANIC HAS ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THIS WAS A "COMMON PROBLEM". DEALER HAS ADVISED THAT ENGINE JUST SHUTDOWN, AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE.*AK
ALUMINUM HEAD FAILURE, SPARK PLUGS BLEW OUT OF HEAD AT 60 MPH--MILD EXPLOSION, ENGINE SHUTDOWN AT SPEED--COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL REAR END ACCIDENT IF IT HAD HAPPENED DURING NORMAL DAY HOURS, BUT IT WAS AT 3 AM---FAILURE STILL NOT FIXED AFTER 2 FULL WEEKS, DEALER IS FAMILY FORD, CARLISLE PA.---THEY STATE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN FAILURE, AND THEY HAVE DONE SEVERAL.
ALUMINUM HEAD FAILURE, SPARK PLUGS BLEW OUT OF HEAD AT 60 MPH--MILD EXPLOSION, ENGINE SHUTDOWN AT SPEED--COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL REAR END ACCIDENT IF IT HAD HAPPENED DURING NORMAL DAY HOURS, BUT IT WAS AT 3 AM---FAILURE STILL NOT FIXED AFTER 2 FULL WEEKS, DEALER IS FAMILY FORD, CARLISLE PA.---THEY STATE THAT THIS IS A KNOWN FAILURE, AND THEY HAVE DONE SEVERAL.
VAN IS ON 2ND ENGINE&TORQUE CONVERTER.HAS VIBRATION @ ALL SPEEDS.PULLS HARD LEFT. ANY SORT OF ROUGH ROAD & YOU THINK YOU WILL LOSE CONTROL. VIBRATES SO BAD FRONT DOORS ARE EATING IN TO BODY. HAS TERRIBLE SMELL VENTILATION & HEATING SYSTEM. WHAT A HUNK OF JUNK !!!
VAN IS ON 2ND ENGINE&TORQUE CONVERTER.HAS VIBRATION @ ALL SPEEDS.PULLS HARD LEFT. ANY SORT OF ROUGH ROAD & YOU THINK YOU WILL LOSE CONTROL. VIBRATES SO BAD FRONT DOORS ARE EATING IN TO BODY. HAS TERRIBLE SMELL VENTILATION & HEATING SYSTEM. WHAT A HUNK OF JUNK !!!
VAN IS ON 2ND ENGINE&TORQUE CONVERTER.HAS VIBRATION @ ALL SPEEDS.PULLS HARD LEFT. ANY SORT OF ROUGH ROAD & YOU THINK YOU WILL LOSE CONTROL. VIBRATES SO BAD FRONT DOORS ARE EATING IN TO BODY. HAS TERRIBLE SMELL VENTILATION & HEATING SYSTEM. WHAT A HUNK OF JUNK !!!
TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED WITH NO WARNING OR INDICATION (EVEN THE BRAKE LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE). I WAS APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION WITH STOPPED VEHICLES SLOWLY BUT COULD NOT GET ANY BRAKE RESPONSE, CAUSING A CRASH AND THEN PUSHING UNTIL THREE OTHER VEHICLES WOULD BE HIT. *AK
DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEWOUT. TIRE DEALER SAID TIRE FAILURE WAS DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION.*AK (DOT NUMBER: VD1L 1XD TIRESIZE: LT225-75R1)
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Timing Belt Failure
Underbody shields detachment
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.