RoadVitals

1998 Ford E-150 Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
15
Latest Dec 31, 2009
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
25%
of 60 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1998 Ford E-150 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 15 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structureEngine
Filed Dec 31, 2009

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10297724
Incident
Jan 20, 2001
Mileage
59,000 mi
EngineTransmission
Filed Apr 11, 2008

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.

NHTSA ID
10225068
Incident
Jan 23, 2007
Mileage
142,865 mi
EngineOther / unspecified
Filed Dec 5, 2007

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10210898
Incident
Jan 22, 2007
Mileage
142,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 24, 2007

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10206802
Incident
Oct 23, 2007
Mileage
82,614 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 11, 2007

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.

NHTSA ID
10196094
Incident
Oct 1, 2006
Mileage
101,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 5, 2007

1998 FORD E-150 V6 4.2 ENGINE LEAKED COOLANT INTO #1 CYLINDER CAUSING ROD TO BEND AND DISABLE ENGINE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10177875
Incident
Apr 11, 2006
Mileage
132,228 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 15, 2005

1998 FORD E150 5.4 TRITON V8 BLEW A SPARK PLUG AT 98000 MILES REQUIRING HEAD REPAIR. *NM

NHTSA ID
10142816
Incident
Oct 20, 2005
Mileage
98,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 20, 2005

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.*JB

NHTSA ID
10140301
Incident
Aug 27, 2005
Mileage
125 mi
EngineTransmission
Filed Jun 9, 2005

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.

NHTSA ID
10124856
Incident
Jun 9, 2005
Engine
Filed Jun 8, 2004

ENGINE COOLANT MIXES WITH OIL. *AK

NHTSA ID
10075023
Incident
Feb 20, 2004
Mileage
95,100 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 1, 2003

LOST 2 CYLINDERS ON 4.6L, 0 COMPRESSION WET OR DRY. NO OVERHEAT ISSUES. MECHANIC DIDNT LOOK FOR LEAKY HEAD GASKET, WHICH MUST HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE. MECHANIC SAID DRIVE HOME, I DROVE HOME MORE DAMAGE INSUED. ENGINE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. EXTENDED WARRANTY. *AK PURCHASED AT TIME OF PURCHASE REJECTED COVERAGE. FORD NO HELP, DEALER NO HELP. IM OUT $6,200

NHTSA ID
10025248
Incident
Jun 18, 2003
Mileage
73,500 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jun 18, 2001

ENGINE CHECK ILLUMINATES. BROUGHT TO DEALER FOUR TIMES, NO PROBLEM FOUND THE FIRST TIME, SECOND TIME OXYGEN SENSOR AND FUEL FILTER WERE REPLACED AT CHARGE TO ME. THIRD TIME NEW FLASH (SOFTWARE)WAS BURNED. FORTH TIME THE PCV VALVE WAS FOUND TO BE DISLODGED FROM THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ID
746982
Engine
Filed Oct 20, 1999

VEHICLE PROCEEDING AND OPERATING NORMALLY - ENGINE CUT OUT WHEN DECELERATING TO GO INTO A TURN - COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. CONTACTED LOCAL FORD GARAGE AND THEY SAID NO SERVICE BULLETINS ON THIS. *AK

NHTSA ID
713581
Incident
Oct 10, 1999
Engine
Filed Apr 13, 1998

WHILE THE ENGINE IDLES IT MAKES NOISE, MOTOR REPLACED HOWEVER NOISE PERSISTS.

NHTSA ID
534442
Incident
Jul 1, 1997
Engine
Filed Oct 29, 1997
Fire reported

A THERMACTOR CHECK VALVE FAILED, CAUSING EXHAUST GASES TO BURN A HOLE IN A/C HOSE, ALLOWING FREON AND REFRIGERANT OIL TO SPRAY ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD, CAUSING A FIRE. THIS HAPPENED TO A24-PASSENGER BUS CARRYING 10 ELDERLY WHEEL CHAIR BOUND RESIDENTS OF A NURSING HOME. *AK

NHTSA ID
524367

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .