1998 Ford E-250

Routine

Owners filed 16 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. It has been recalled 5 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Steering2
000
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System1
000
Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control1
000
Unknown or Other1
000
Tires › Tread/Belt1
000
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System1
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip1
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
000
Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage1
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift1
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Vehicle Speed Control09V399000
Filed Oct 13, 20094,500,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control08V051000
Filed Feb 4, 2008225,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Vehicle Speed Control07V336000
Filed Aug 3, 20073,600,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Equipment Adaptive/Mobility04V562000
Filed Nov 26, 20041,660 vehiclesMobility Works

Defect. ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT RETRACTORS AS NECESSARY. SURE-LOK WILL HANDLE THE REPAIRS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SURE-LOCK AT 1-908-231-1804 OR MOBILITYWORKS AT 1-800-769-8267.

Equipment › Other › Labels00V284000
Filed Sep 21, 20004,500 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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."

Risk. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Dec 29, 2010128,085 milesWA

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

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 20, 200892,300 milesMO

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

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Feb 25, 200864,000 milesMO

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 HARNESSES HOW CAN THEY DO THE REPAIRS? WHY ARE THEY NOT AWARE OF THE SECOND RECALL? WHY ARE THE RECALLS NOT FOUND ON YOUR NHTSA WEBSITE? *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift
Filed May 30, 200615,000 milesMD

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

Electrical System
Filed Nov 9, 200495,000 milesAZ

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER, AND PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED. *AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 25, 2004182,789 milesLA

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

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Sep 12, 2003OH

POWER STEERING UNITS MAY BE CAUSE OF VEHICLE ROLL OVER PROBLEM.*MR *TS

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Dec 20, 200217,000 milesCA

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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jul 8, 2002OH

CONSUMER STATES THIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE SIMILAR TO THOSE STATED IN TSB 99-20-7. *SLC

Steering
Filed Apr 15, 2002IN

WHILE TRYING TO SWITCH LANE STEERING WENT OUT.*AK

Air Bags › Side/WindowCrash
Filed Jun 27, 2001CA

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON HIGHWAY AND ANOTHER VEHICLE VEERED INTO HIM. DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY.*AK

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Jan 12, 2001IL

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Nov 9, 2000PA

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

Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage
Filed Mar 30, 2000ME

SEAT BELT STRAP IS NOT WORKING. YH

Steering
Filed Feb 28, 2000ME

PINION SEALS LEAKING (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT). NLM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Nov 12, 1998NJ

FRONT BRAKES LOCK UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DEALER REPLACED CALIPERS/ROTORS AND PADS. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

16 of 16 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20230100Routine
20221000Routine
20172000Routine
20161000Routine
201471100Routine
2013111100Routine
201281210Routine
201161800Routine
201091310Routine
200921900Routine
200862200Routine
200762710Routine
2006123100Routine
2005111110Routine
200481800Routine
200317820Routine
200217520Routine
200118330Routine
200018520Routine
199931610Routine
1998 — this page16500Routine
199724440Routine
199620300Routine
199515311Fatalities reported
199411300Routine
19937310Routine
199214310Routine
19918100Routine
19904200Routine

Compare every E-250 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Oct 13, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.