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 hours of the failure. The vehicle has been weighed on certified scales and does not exceed tire recommended load capacities. In both situations, the tire tread sepearated from the inner core. The first tire had approximately 20,000 miles on it when it went, and the most recent one had 22,000 miles on it. There was plenty of tread life left and there were no visible signs of damage from road hazards prior to the failures.
The worst 1998 Ford E-450 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Tires5
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Tires5
Recalls 2
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- 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 deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
- Risk
- A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
- 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 as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1‑888‑222‑2751.
Recall number 09V399000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.
- Risk
- Overheating could result in smoke or burn and an underhood fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. The recall began on august 7, 2006. Owners may contact ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332. (note: also see recalls 05v017 and 05v388)
Recall number 06V286000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 1998 Ford E-450
Defect investigations
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 injuries were sustained.However, the bus was carrying special needs children when the driver noticed smoke coming from the dash.The driver was able to evacuate the children prior to the vehicle becoming engulfed in flames.This PE has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA) to determine if the blower motor switch failures create a situation where a vehicle fire is possible and presents a safety risk to the driver and other passengers.
PE09055
Engine compartment fires
Ea05-005 is closed with ford?s actions in recalls 05v‑017, 05v‑388, and 06v‑286, recalling approximately 6.7 million vehicles equipped with texas instruments speed control deactivation switches (scds).the brake systems in these recalled vehicles generate a vacuum that can potentially cause the scds to fail and, in certain switch installation orientations, catch fire.ford is also including the entire population of 1998 explorers.ford has informed odi that testing to determine the cause of failures in the 1998 explorers will continue after this investigation is closed.odi believes that the vehicles exhibiting the factors causing scds failure described in this report correlate well with the observed failure rates on these vehicles by model and model year.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist in the non-recalled vehicles manufactured with scds that are not included in ford?s recalls.odi will continue to monitor the non-recalled population for incidence of engine compartment fires.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see attached closing report for details.
EA05005
Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Ford E-450 19
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Cracks in the left or right spring tower flange
- Fluid leaking from the vent on the transmission mounted parking brake assembly
- Vibration/harshness above 45 mph (72 km/h) after tire balance
- Some vehicles without front brake dust shields may exhibit premature wear of the front wheel bearings
- Some cut-away vehicles may exhibit anti-skid brake system diagnostic trouble code C1229, C1230 and C1237
- Some vehicles with model 80 rear axles only may exhibit a whine above 35 mph
- Some vehicles with model 80 rear axles only, may exhibit a whine above 35 mph
- Without front brake dust shields may exhibit premature wear of the front wheel bearings due to damaged...
- Vehicles without front dust shields may exhibit premature wear of the front wheel bearings due to damaged...
- Some vehicles with model 80 rear axles only, may exhibit a whine above 35 mph
What 1998 Ford E-450 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 time was the left front, the driver was just minutes from picking up george stienbrenner's wife and guests. The bus went up one two wheels but the driver was able to regain control. The tire tread came compleatly off and damaged the side of the bus.
This was on a ambluance with a patient on going to a hosiptal. *ak (dot number: vdil1xd347 tiresize: lt225r75/1)
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.
In both incidents, the tires were inflated to 80 psi as recommended by manufacturer. Tires were mounted on the inside rear of the vehicle and vehicle is equipped with rear dual tire configuration. Out side temp was around 85 degees fahrenheit in both incidents. Tires were sent to firestone for evaluation. Initially firestone claimed that I (consumer) had operated tires improperly and therefor was the cause of the blowouts. Eventually, after several phone calls and letters, they did reimburse me for my out of pocket expenses. I have digital pictures of both tires that failed and will be happy to provide you with these upon request.( dot number: vd1l1xd287 tire size: lt22575r16 )
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Questions about the 1998 Ford E-450
Is the 1998 Ford E-450 reliable?
Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 1998 Ford E-450, fewer than a typical E-450 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Ford E-450?
Tires, with 5 complaints.
How many recalls does the 1998 Ford E-450 have?
2 recalls, covering vehicle speed control.
What year does the Ford E-450 have bad tires?
The Ford E-450 model years with the most tires complaints are 1999 (38 complaints) and 2000 (28 complaints).
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