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1998 Ford E-150 engine problems

15 complaints (25% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 98,000.

owner complaints
15
of this car's complaints
25%
typical mileage
98,000
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Engine
    5
  • Engine: gasoline
    3
  • Cooling system
    2
  • Exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)
    1
  • Exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)
    1
  • Exhaust system: emission control
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford E-150 engine problems in other years

199119952000200520102015

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Related investigations

Spark plug ejection from cylinder headOpened September 22, 2005, closed January 4, 2006

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 ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehicle stalled without restart.information contained in the odi consumer complaints and obtained from 72 telephone interviews with complainants showed the following:(1) 99% of the complaints were on my 1997 to 2002 subject vehicles.(2) most the complainants reported hearing a loud pop while driving or upon starting up the vehicle followed by a loud, repetitive clicking or popping sound.(3) many of the complainants reported that the popping sound was accompanied by some loss of vehicle power; however, in 99% of the incidents reported, the vehicle did not stall.in the very few incidents where the vehicle did stall, most vehicles could be restarted.(4) only a small percentage of the complainants cited that they smelled gas or a slight burning smell when the incident occurred.(5) in all but a very few incidents, vehicle damage was limited to the engine.in one incident, the complaint reported that the fuel rail was damaged and replaced after one of the spark plugs ejected from the engine; however, the complainant reported that the damage did not result in any type of fuel leak or fire.in another incident, the only incident where a fire was alleged, the complainant reported that no fluid leak was observed, but that a fire resulted after the spark plug had ejected from the engine and he had restarted the vehicle and driven to another location.none of the complainants reported any damage to the vehicle hood.(6) only two complainants reported that they observed what appeared to be some drops of fuel coming from the cylinder where the spark plug had failed or on the spark plug itself; however, each of these complainants reported that there was no smoke or flames as a result of his incident.as the petitioner noted, and odi?s analysis showed, it is possible for a spark plug to detach from the engine cylinder threads in the subject vehicles.however, odi?s analysis of 474 complaints describing such incidents found only a very few alleged any safety-related consequences.none of these showed any evidence of a serious safety consequence.given the large population and relatively long exposure time of the subject vehicles, the complaint analysis indicates that the risk to motor vehicle safety from the alleged defect is very low.in view of the foregoing, it is unlikely that the federal safety agency would issue an order for the notification and remedy of the alleged defect at the conclusion of the investigation requested in the petition.therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize the federal safety agency?s limited resources to best accomplish the agency?s safety mission, the petition is denied.

DP05005

What 1998 Ford E-150 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 31, 2009 · Body, Engine · 59,000 miles · FL

06-03-2007 right door handle (outside part) broke and I could not get into my van. No abuse on my part. I had the door handle replaced by ford dealership at my expense ($125.00). 03-03-2008 left door handle (outside part) broke when I pulled the handle. I now have to get into my van by the passenger side, and crawl over to the drivers side. This is awful since I had advanced copd breathing problems. I had to order the part today, and hope for the best to get it installed, again at my expense. The handles should not broke on a 1998 vehicle so soon. I have read all complaints for 1998 ford e150 vans, I have a sherrod conversion van. 04-10-2009 back A/C & heat does not blow cold or heat from back unit. The fan part is the only part that works in the back unit. Is there a recall on this. 01-20-2002 the front A/C & heat distribution assembly had to be replaced when it stopped working completely. Dealership told me sherrod is out of business and that I would have to bring it in for a diagnostic check, and replacement at my expense. Please investigate these problems, and help me out. Thank you.

Filed Apr 11, 2008 · Engine, Transmission · 142,865 miles · WA

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford e15. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle began making a pinging sound in the engine. The vehicle suddenly decelerated to 50 MPH. The contact stated that the vehicle was losing oil. On january 23 2007, a remanufactured engine was installed in the vehicle. The dealer rebuilt the cylinder heads. For one year, two months, and nineteen days, the pinging noise continued to occur. The dealer and manufacturer stated that they were unable to assist her with the repair, although the warranty was valid. A second dealer diagnosed the failure on april 10, 2008 and stated that the transmission seal was leaking, there were oil leaks present in three places on the oil gaskets, the timing was off, and there was condensation on the oil cap. There were no warning lights illuminated prior to the failures. The second dealer charged the contact $107 to diagnose the failure and stated that they were waiting on a response from the manufacturer prior to repairing the vehicle under warranty. The contact filed a complaint with the better business bureau. The vehicle does not have cruise control. The failure mileage was 142,865 and current mileage was 161,100.

Filed Dec 5, 2007 · Engine · 142,000 miles · WA

1998 (manufactured 1997) ford 4.2 liter engine blew main head gasket - engine froze up. Replaced with remanufactured engine - combustion too high - pings - ford refuses to install another engine. Carbon build up - valves, rings, crankshaft, egr and catalytic converter will all be damaged if not corrected. Dealer had tried on 5 occasions - ford continues to deny approval for another engine.

Filed Oct 24, 2007 · Engine · 82,614 miles · VA

98 ford e150, 4.2l,82k miles, engine started knocking. Took to ford dealer. They said needs new engine. Cost $4749. I find out this engine has been failing prematurely and ford knows about it. They supposedly sent out a recall to replace gasket. I never received notice. I think I should get partial reimbursement.

Filed Jul 11, 2007 · Engine · 101,000 miles · OR

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford e-150. The contact stated that the vehicle is difficult to start in cold weather. Once the vehicle started, it would hesitate and produce a tapping noise. He had to replace the coolant frequently. The dealer has not inspected the vehicle. The current mileage is 102,797 and failure mileage was 101,000.

Filed Jan 5, 2007 · Engine · 132,228 miles · GA

1998 ford e-150 v6 4.2 engine leaked coolant into #1 cylinder causing rod to bend and disable engine.

Filed Nov 15, 2005 · Engine · 98,000 miles · MN

1998 ford e150 5.4 triton v8 blew a spark plug at 98000 miles requiring head repair.

Filed Oct 20, 2005 · Engine · 125 miles · OH

Driving down the highway I heard a popping sound, the truck stalled and the check engine light came on. The truck continued to stall. I called clark ford after hearing about a spark plug problem with ford trucks and they claimed to know nothing about it. I took my truck to my mechanic and the motor had to be replaced, this resulted in also a radiator split.

Filed Jun 9, 2005 · Engine, Transmission · OH

At only 70,000 miles the transmission needs to be replaced was never used for towing or pulling also several other problems with tie rod ends, back window leaking,valves claterring,tire wear 3 sets replaced, body panels rusting,step bumbers completly rusted away.

Filed Jun 8, 2004 · Engine · 95,100 miles · NJ

Engine coolant mixes with oil.

Questions about the 1998 Ford E-150 engine

Does the 1998 Ford E-150 have engine problems?

Owners have filed 15 complaints about the engine of the 1998 Ford E-150, 25% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 1998 Ford E-150 engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 98,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1998 Ford E-150 engine?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Ford E-150 have bad engine?

The Ford E-150 model years with the most engine complaints are 1997 (21 complaints), 1994 (17 complaints) and 1998 (15 complaints).

Other 1998 Ford E-150 problems

Fuel system 11Brakes 8Suspension 5Transmission 5Steering 4Tires 4Seat belts 3Visibility 3Wheels 3Acceleration 2Body 2Electrical 1Lights 1Seats 1

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