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1998 Ford E-450Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 5 owner complaints about the 1998 Ford E-450, most often about the tires. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints50 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage22kTires, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 13, 2009. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Ford E-450 has problems

5 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Tires50

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1998 Ford E-450 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1998 vs. every other E-450 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the E-450 median. How we score

'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1998 Ford E-450, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA05005 · closed Aug 2, 2006
    Led to recall 05V-388
  2. HVAC Switch FailuresPE09055 · closed Apr 21, 2010
    No recall
In owners' words

What E-450 owners report

Recent tires complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I HAVE HAD TWO BLOWOUTS OF FIRESTONE STEELTEX TIRES, P235/75R16 ON A 1998 FORD ECONONLINE WITH A WINNEBAGO RV COACH MOUNTED ON THE CHASSIS. UNDER BOTH CIRCUMSTANCES, THE TIRES WERE PROPERLY INFLATED (AT 80 PSI PER THE MANUFACTURE INSTRUCTIONS), AND IN BOTH SITUATIONS THE PRESSURE WAS CHECKED WITHIN…
Complaint 10078942 · Jun 28, 2004 · 22,008 miles
PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON HIGHWAY AND LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. FIRESTONE STEET FLEX RADIAL RS#,LT225/75R16, #DOT VD111XL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, AND HE HAS CONTACTED FIRESTONE. *AK
Complaint 871474 · Sep 25, 2000
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WITH THESE TIRES THAT THE TREAD CAME COMPLETELY OFF. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS A REAR TIRE AND THERE WERE 15 PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE BUS BECAUSE OF THE DUAL WHEELS ON THE REAR BUT THE TIRE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE SIDE OF THE BUS. THE SECOND…
Complaint 750197 · Aug 10, 2001

Own a 1998 E-450?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.