Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1998 Ford E-250, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling4
- Steering4
- Service brakes, hydraulic4
- Power train3
- Seat belts2
- Suspension2
- Latches/locks/linkages1
- Tires1
- Exterior lighting1
- Unknown or other1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 3 1998 E-250 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 0 people died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1998 Ford E-250 failed the safety check 0.90% of the time — 48% less often than the average 1998 passenger car (1.71%). Median odometer at inspection: 159,230 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
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."
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 1998 Ford E-250: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 637519 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4R70W TRANSMISSION (DRIVESHAFT >70 INCH) MAY EXHIBIT A VIBRATION / ROUGHNESS ON ACCELERATION OR UNDER LOAD AT ABOUT 50-55 MPH. *TT |
| 630683 | CONCERNS WITH BUMP STEER STEERING FEELING NOTED WHEN FRONT WHEELS / TIRES CONTACT ROAD SURFACE IRREGULARITIES. *TT |
| 630150 | SOME VEHICLES WITHOUT FRONT BRAKE DUST SHIELDS MAY EXHIBIT PREMATURE WEAR OF THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. *TT |
| 624689 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A FUEL FILL VALVE SEALING CONDITION. *YD |
| 622802 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4R70W TRANSMISSION (DRIVESHAFT >70 INCH) MAY EXHIBIT A DRIVELINE VIBRATION / ROUGHNESS ON ACCELERATION OR UNDER LOAD AT ABOUT 50 - 55 MPH. *TT |
| 620986 | SUBJECT REGARDING OVERVIEW OF BI-FUEL CNG VEHICLE PARAMETER IDENTIFICATION DATA (PID), INPUTS AND OUTPUTS AS A DIAGNOSTIC AID FOR BI-FUEL VEHICLES. *TT |
| 619273 | SOME BI-FUEL VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A NO START CONDITION. *TT |
| 618568 | THIS BULLETIN INVOLVES FUEL DOOR LABEL APPLICATION / REPLACEMENT. *JB |
| 616508 | SPECIAL FIELD ACTION REGARDING REVISED WARANTY INFORMATION. *TT |
| 615279 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT BRAKE ROTOR CHECKING OR SIGNS OF EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD-UP. *TT |
| 615198 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT BRAKE ROTOR CHECKING OR SIGNS OF EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD-UP. *TT |
| 615176 | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON, WITH P0300 - P0308 MISFIRE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES WITH A 4.6L ENGINE. *TT |
| 613754 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.2L ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A VIBRATION OR BOOM, OFF IDLE BETWEEN 870 - 900 RPMS. *TT |
| 612791 | VEHICLES WITHOUT FRONT DUST SHIELDS MAY EXHIBIT PREMATURE WEAR OF THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS DUE TO DAMAGED INNER WHEEL BEARING SEALS. *MJS |
| 6092006 | SUBJECT REGARDING TIRE BALANCE HINT. *TT |
| 6090542 | INFORMATION REGARDING FRONT COVER & WATER PUMP BOLTS-TORQUE VALVE REVISION/3.8-4.2L. *MJS |
| 6090309 | INFORMATION REGARDING A CHANGE IN THE TORQUE VALUES OF THE ENGINE FRONT COVER WATER PUMP BOLTS. *TT |
| 6089651 | SUBJECT ON ENGINE COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE OIL ON SOME VEHICLES. *TT |
| 608422 | CONCERNS WITH THE OIL DIPSTICK AND / OR PCV VALVE DISLODGING FROM THE ENGINE AND / OR ENGINE OIL LEAKING FROM DIPSTICK TUBE. *TT |
| 606839 | ADDRESSING TIRE BALANCE HINTS. *TT |
| 606484 | CONCERNS WITH ENGINE COOLANT LEAKING INTO ENGINE OIL ON SOME VEHICLES. *TT |
| 605593 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE BOOM / VIBRATION NOISE OFF IDLE DURING ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. *TT |
| 603536 | SOME VEHICLES WITH THE 4.2L ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A VIBRATION OR BOOM, OFF IDLE BETWEEN 870-900 RPMS. *YC |
| 603510 | SYMPTOMS REGARDING P0300-P0308 MISFIRE DTCS WITH 4.6L ENGINES. *YC |
| 603506 | EXCESSIVE WHITE SMOKE. VERIFY GLOW PLUG OPERATION BY PERFORMING GLOW PLUG SYSTEM OPERATION CHECK ON THE HARD START/NO START DIAGNOSTIC SHEET. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
HVAC Switch Failures
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation