Total Complaints
30 filings
Ford E-250 · model year
1998 Ford E-250
30 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
- Complaints
- 30
- Recalls
- 0
The verdict
The 1998 Ford E-250 posts above-average complaint volume among its own model-year siblings.
- 11th pctile
- complaint volume, own model years
- 0
- recall campaigns
The 1998FordE-250 carries 30 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 1998 E-250 is steering with 3 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe (2) and suspension:front (2). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause.
NHTSA currently has 179 investigation files overlapping the 1998 E-250, and 6 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.
30
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
1998 Ford E-250
PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.
NHTSA Overall Rating N/A
Not rated
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program overall crash-test rating.
Front Crash N/A
Not rated
Frontal barrier crash-test rating.
Side Crash N/A
Not rated
Side barrier and pole crash-test rating.
Rollover Resistance N/A
Not rated
Static stability factor + dynamic rollover test rating.
Rollover Risk N/A
Not reported
NHTSA single-vehicle rollover probability, dynamic test.
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STEERING | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | 2 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:SHIFT PATTERN INDICATOR | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS | 1 |
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 1 |
| STEERING:RACK AND PINION | 1 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20101229SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1998 FORD ECONOLINE VAN 5.4L ENG. ABS BRAKES: WHILE APPLYING BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL RESPONDS WITH FORCEFUL BACK PRESSURE TO PROHIBIT BRAKES FROM OPERATING. OPERATOR THEN EXERTS EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO FORCE BRAKING, STILL YET VEHICLE BRAKES VERY SLUGGISHLY. OPERATOR NOTES THAT WHEN THE CONDITION OCCURS, IF HE RELEASES THEN RE-APPLIES BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE THE BRAKES TEND TO GRAB AND TRY TO LOCK UP. OPERATOR HAS TAKEN THE VAN IN FOR SERVICE, REPLACED THE SPEED SENSOR ON REAR DIFF, PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR 2 DAYS RECURRING THERE AFTER. SHOP MGR STATES THAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE A DUMP VALVE CAUSING MALFUNCTION. STILL INVESTIGATING PROBLEM. VEHICLE MFR HAS RECENTLY SENT A RECALL NOTICE IDENTIFYING DESC # 09S09, SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM MODIFICATION. OPERATOR WILL BE SCHEDULING THE SERVICE. MORE TO FOLLOW ON THIS SUBJECT. PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTED AND CONTINUES TO THIS DAY, DEC 28 2010
Mileage: 128,085
20080320ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF HEAD WITH THREADS IN MY 98 E250 WITH 92,000 WELL MAINTAINED MILES ON IT. THE COST IS YET TO BE DETERMINED. *TR
Mileage: 92,300
20080225VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE TO INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS FOR MY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IN AUGUST AND HAD THE WORK DONE. NOW I HAVE RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE WHICH STATES THAT FOMOCO "HAS DECIDED THAT A DEFECT WHICH RELATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXISTS IN A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS THE WAS INSTALLED IN YOUR VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS SERVICED." THIS APPEARS TO BE A RECALL OF THE HARNESS THAT WAS INSTALLED AS PART OF THE FIRST RECALL. I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY WERE UNAWARE OF A SECOND RECALL AND SAID THEY HAD BEEN WAITING FOR MONTHS FOR THE HARNESSES REQUIRED FOR THE FIRST RECALL. SINCE I STILL DIDN'T KNOW IF THERE WAS A SECOND RECALL I CALLED FORDS TOLL FREE NUMBER AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION. I WAS TOLD TO CALL THE LOCAL DEALER AND GIVE THEM MY VIN NUMBER. I HAVE NOT DONE THIS YET SINCE I ALREADY CALLED THEM AND DIDN'T GET AN ANSWER. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND I WOULD LIKE A CORRECT ANSWER. THANKS. IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE H
Mileage: 64,000
20080225EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE TO INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS FOR MY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IN AUGUST AND HAD THE WORK DONE. NOW I HAVE RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE WHICH STATES THAT FOMOCO "HAS DECIDED THAT A DEFECT WHICH RELATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXISTS IN A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS THE WAS INSTALLED IN YOUR VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS SERVICED." THIS APPEARS TO BE A RECALL OF THE HARNESS THAT WAS INSTALLED AS PART OF THE FIRST RECALL. I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY WERE UNAWARE OF A SECOND RECALL AND SAID THEY HAD BEEN WAITING FOR MONTHS FOR THE HARNESSES REQUIRED FOR THE FIRST RECALL. SINCE I STILL DIDN'T KNOW IF THERE WAS A SECOND RECALL I CALLED FORDS TOLL FREE NUMBER AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION. I WAS TOLD TO CALL THE LOCAL DEALER AND GIVE THEM MY VIN NUMBER. I HAVE NOT DONE THIS YET SINCE I ALREADY CALLED THEM AND DIDN'T GET AN ANSWER. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND I WOULD LIKE A CORRECT ANSWER. THANKS. IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE H
Mileage: 64,000
20060530POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
FORD ECONOLINE E250 HD - 1998 EXTENDED MODEL; COLUMN GEAR SHIFT WILL SHIFT FROM PARK TO GEAR WITHOUT IT GOING INTO GEAR AND FROM GEAR TO PARK WITHOUT VEHICLE GOING INTO PARK BUT STAYING IN GEAR. *JB
Mileage: 15,000
20041109ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER, AND PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED. *AK
Mileage: 95,000
20040325UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE SPARE TIRE CABLE BROKE. AS A RESULT THE SPARE TIRE FLEW TWENTY-FIVE FEET IN THE AIR. NO COLLISION REPORTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Mileage: 182,789
20030930STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
POWER STEERING UNITS MAY BE CAUSE OF VEHICLE ROLL OVER PROBLEM.*MR *TS
20021220LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
REAR DOOR WAS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY ON MY 1998 CHINOOK MOTOR HOME. THIS IMPROPER INSTALLATION HAS RESULTED IN EXTENSIVE INTERNAL DAMAGE AND LEFT ME WITHOUT A SAFE CLOSURE FOR THE VEHICLE. IT WAS PRESENTED FOR REPAIR AND THE DEALER FAILED TO MAKE PROPER REPAIRS TO REPAIR THIS POOR FACTORY INSTALLATION. BOTH THE MANUFATURER AND DEALER ARE NOT ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS STRUCTURAL FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN PEOPLE BEING EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. TS
Mileage: 17,000
20020719ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER STATES THIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE SIMILAR TO THOSE STATED IN TSB 99-20-7. *SLC
20020415STEERING
WHILE TRYING TO SWITCH LANE STEERING WENT OUT.*AK
20010627CrashAIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON HIGHWAY AND ANOTHER VEHICLE VEERED INTO HIM. DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY.*AK
20010118VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
20001109TIRES:TREAD/BELT
PE00040; TIRE TREAD SEPARATION; WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPHTREAD ON REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE CAME OFF. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. TIRE EQUIPMENT ON A 1998, FORD, E250. TIRE MILEAGE ABOUT 50,000, TIRE SZIE LT22575R16, AND DOT # VD1L1XD377. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK *SLC
20000426SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT STRAP IS NOT WORKING. YH
20000426POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:SHIFT PATTERN INDICATOR
SHIFT INDICATOR IS NOT WORKING. YH
20000426SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKE FAILED. YH
20000426STEERING
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL. YH
20000426STEERING:RACK AND PINION
PINION SEALS LEAKED. YH
20000426ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
TAIL PIPE HITTING FRAME. YH
Compare 1998FordE-250 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 6 Open
EA26004Engineering AnalysisOpen
Timing Belt Failure
DP26004Defect PetitionOpen
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated
EA26001Engineering AnalysisOpen
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
PE25020Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Timing Belt Failure
DP25001Defect PetitionClosed
Underbody shields detachment
Vehicle Safety Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1998 Ford E-250 have?▼
The 1998 Ford E-250 has 30 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Ford E-250?▼
The most-complained component for the 1998 Ford E-250 is STEERING with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE and SUSPENSION:FRONT.
Is the 1998 Ford E-250 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Data vintage: August 2026. 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.
Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 1998 Ford E-250; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.