Most common 1998 Ford E-350 problems
Share of the 63 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford E-350 complaints by model year
Best E-350 years: 2018, 2016, 2015. Years to avoid: 1997, 1995, 1999. Compare all years →
1998 Ford E-350 recalls (7)
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply, Inc. (Cummings) is recalling various model year 1994-2011 Ford and Chevrolet vans equipped with Braun NCL-2, and NVL-2 wheel chair lifts manufactured November 20, 2006, through September 10, 2010.
Remedy: Braun Corporation notified all the vehicle owners, and Cummings Mobility replaced the recalled parts with new parts, free of charge. The recall was completed as of April 10, 2014.
Vehicle speed control
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…
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…
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Oneness mobility is recalling 19 my 1998, and 2005-2006 e-350 vans built on Ford chassis and equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Oneness mobility is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097). Owners May contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or oneness mobility at 1-818-267-3000.
Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
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.
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 control
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.
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…
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Vehicle description: on certain vans with ambulance prep packages or other severe-duty applications involving operation at or near the gross vehicle weight with frequent twisting of the vehicle body, such as off-road, rough road or speed bump events, the 35 gallon mid-ship fuel tank could develop a crack where it contacts the…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and, if cracked, will replace the tank. Insulator pads will be installed on all vehicles to reduce the stress levels in the fuel tank. Owner notification began April 19, 2001.
Show 1 more recall
Equipment › Other › Labels
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…
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 1998 Ford E-350:
Blow back during refueling
There is no summary currently available
HVAC Switch Failures
ODI has received 1 complaint and reports from 4 transportation fleets alleging 182 switch failures.Each fleet operates mini buses built on a Ford E350 or E450 cutaway chassis.The OEM HVAC blower switches have melted, smoked, burned or experienced open flame and become inoperable on vehicles in each fleet.Some drivers have reported a burning smell or smoke coming from the dash.One fleet reported a vehicle fire.No…
HVAC Switch Failures
This investigation was opened based on one complaint and reports from four transportation fleets alleging 182 blower motor control switch failures.ODI was concerned that these melting and burning switches could lead to an open flame that could spread throughout the vehicle.After a comprehensive review of all data related to overheating blower motor control switches in the subject vehicles, ODI did not identify the…
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
On September 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 Ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or…
What 1998 Ford E-350 owners say
Wheels & tires
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Ford e-350 equipped with starfire sf-510 tires, size lt245-75-r16 (na). While the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for a state inspection, the sidewall of the rear driver's side tire was found with internal indentations. The mechanic stated that the tire needed to be replaced. The tire was not replaced. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The dot number was unknown. The tire and vehicle failure mileage was 130,000.
I purchased a total of 7 Michelin ltx m/s tires lt225/75r16 e for my Mini motorhome. They are dry-rotting right off the rims. This is an established problem. When I was directed to a dealer (forrest tire of artesia, nm) I was offered a discount on buying more tires. I was extremely dismayed that Michelin was querying the tire dealer about the make, model, year and mileage of my motorhome! What has that got to do with defective/dangerous tires? I spoke with a man who had the same problem with ltx m/s tires that came on his new pickup and they were replaced for mounting and balancing only. I purchased two for the front, but simply can't buy all 7 on social security, then sue Michelin. These are lot numbers b3jh fbxx 0905, 0205, and 4204. I can scrape dried rubber off the sidewall with my fingernail! …
Brakes
When braking hard, braking power declines after mid peddle range, resulting in crash. Had taken to dealer many years earlier for ABS recall fix.
Brake failure resulted in vehicle rear ending another vehicle. While attempting to stop the vehicle's brakes failed and as a result the vehicle rear ended a stopped vehicle. The vehicle was rented from uhaul. A uhaul technician came and inspectd the vehicle. The vehicle was then towed in for repairs ( ohio traffic crash report).
Fuel & propulsion system
The vehicle had a cracked fuel tank. Currently, the manufacturer is conducting a recall for this defect. However, based on the information provided by the consumer, the manufacturer did not include this vehicle in the recall although it has all the symptoms as those which are included. Provide further details. Recall campaign; NHTSA campaign id number : 01V114000. The consumer stated that the failure was repaired at her expense.
Fuel tank lining deteriorating. I have found flakes in my last four fuel filters. Vehicle loss of power, then rough running. The flakes are in the filter I have added between tank and fuel pump. They are small pieces of grey or silver paint. I am going to have to replace fuel tank in order to rectify the problem. I replaced the filter this morning, put approx. 90 miles on van and found several ounces in the filter this evening.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Ford E-350 a good car?
Based on 63 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 E-350 rates average: 1.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the E-350 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Ford E-350?
The wheels & tires — 14 complaints, 22% of all complaints for this model year, most often about tread/belt. Next are the brakes (10) and fuel & propulsion system (9).
How many recalls does the 1998 Ford E-350 have?
There are 7 recalls for the 1998 Ford E-350, the most recent from April 16, 2014 (equipment adaptive/mobility). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford E-350?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2018, 2016 and 2015. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1997, 1995 and 1999. See the full Ford E-350 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Ford E-350 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 116,000 miles; 18% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.