1998 Ford E-250: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1998 Ford E-250: 5 recalls, 16 owner complaints and up to 15 mpg combined.
Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Equipment Vehicle recall #00V284000 · 2000 · 4,500 vehicles
What's wrong: , 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."
Why it matters: These vehicles do not comply with the requirements.
The fix: 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.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility Vehicle recall #04V562000 · 2004 · 1,660 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain vans equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.
Why it matters: In the event of a vehicle crash, the wheelchair May not be adequately secured possibly resulting in injuries to a wheelchair occupant.
The fix: 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.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #07V336000 · 2007 · 3,600,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: This could result in an underhood fire.
The fix: 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…
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #08V051000 · 2008 · 225,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected vehicles were previously repaired using a wiring harness that is not compatible with the vehicle circuit polarity.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will install a new wiring harness, or replace the mating electrical component. The recall began on February 18, 2008.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #09V399000 · 2009 · 4,500,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The scds May leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Why it matters: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
The fix: 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…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (hydraulic) (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Steering (4): the most common themes are steering problems (3).
- Engine & cooling (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Transmission & drivetrain (3): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (3).
The 1998 Ford E-250 has 16 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 16 E-250 model years for complaints (1.6× the average E-250 year). Complaints peaked in 2000 (3 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 92,300 miles.
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 15 | Regular |
| 5.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 16 | 13 | Regular |
| 5.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 10 | 13 | 11 | CNG |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1998 Ford E-250.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 1998 Ford E-250 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 1998 Ford E-250. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1998 Ford E-250 problems?
Owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (hydraulic) (4), steering (4), engine & cooling (3).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Ford E-250 get?
EPA ratings run up to 15 mpg combined (4.2 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1998 Ford E-250 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.