Most common 1998 Ford E Series problems
Share of the 13 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford E Series complaints by model year
Best E Series years: 2006, 2007, 2000. Years to avoid: 1997, 1998. Compare all years →
1998 Ford E Series recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Diesel
On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with 7.3l diesel engines, the camshaft position sensor located on the engine of the vehicle May function intermittently, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the sensor and replace it with an improved camshaft position sensor free of charge. The recall began on December 29, 2007. Owners May contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1998 Ford E Series:
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 Series owners say
Wheels & tires
Tire tread separation of Firestone steeltex radial r4s lt 225 75 r/16 ms load range e tubeless radial 2 steel ply tire. On 1999 winnebago minnie motorhome (Ford v10 - e superduty Series) with 9,400 miles. We limped the vehicle into nearest gas station with steel belt showing on tires. No apparent road damage to tire. The tread just separated from the tire. Tires were checked at dealership two days prior to trip for proper air pressure and wear prior to leaving on trip. Everything checked out fine. We are going to try and contact Firestone directly regarding this matter and see if they will assist.
The inside passenger side duel tire tread separated while driving at 55 MPH. Consumer heard a noise from the tires and 15 minutes later the entire tread blew off the tire. It damaged the wiring, frame and body. This was not a recalled tire. Consumer no longer trust the remaining tires, Ford or Firestone.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Ford E Series a good car?
Based on 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 E Series rates use caution: 2.1× as many complaints as a typical year of the E Series at the same age. It is one of the E Series years we suggest avoiding. 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 Series?
The wheels & tires — 7 complaints, 54% of all complaints for this model year, most often about tread/belt. Next are the seats (1) and brakes (1).
How many recalls does the 1998 Ford E Series have?
There is 1 recall for the 1998 Ford E Series, the most recent from December 5, 2007 (diesel). 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 Series?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2006, 2007 and 2000. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1997 and 1998. See the full Ford E Series years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Ford E Series problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 19,000 miles; 67% 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.