1998 Ford F-150 problems & reliability
1,381 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Ford F-150, alongside 4 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
41 complaints report injuries (53 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1998 Ford F-150 vehicles were involved in 124 fatal crashes with 70 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 177 | 13% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 174 | 13% |
| Tires | 152 | 11% |
| Structure | 138 | 10% |
| Suspension | 132 | 10% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 116 | 8% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 110 | 8% |
| Steering | 96 | 7% |
| Electrical System | 87 | 6% |
| Power Train | 83 | 6% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 113,795 miles (middle 50% between 80,000 and 150,000 miles), based on 549 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“1998 Ford F150 S/N 1FTRX18L7WNB03063 Mechanic said the frame is rusting badly. Suggested I not pull a heavy trailer or haul heavy loads in the bed.”
Unknown OR Other · filed Dec 18, 2023
“My driver's side seat belt does not work at all for the past 6-8 months its been stuck and locked and it doesn't release the belt at all so I been driving without a seat belt for awhile now it needs to be repaired and as for the other issues unknown like bank-1 & bank-2 not working properly also evap-leaks and sensors…”
Seat Belts · filed Jan 23, 2023
“I have multiple issues that hit all around same time. Body rusted and water leaks getting the bcm wet which causes the truck to go haywire, lights flashing, doors locking and unlocking, radio stays on, caused multiple things to stop working, fuel tank leaks when filling it up where the fuel tank fill hose rusted into…”
Fuel/propulsion System · filed Dec 19, 2021
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Fuel Tank Strap Failure Due to Corrosion
Engineering Analysis EA11006 · opened May 4, 2011 · closed Aug 19, 2011 · led to recall 11V385000
- Fuel Tank Strap Corrosion/Rust
Preliminary Evaluation PE10036 · opened Sep 7, 2010 · closed May 23, 2011
- SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
Defect Petition DP05005 · opened Sep 22, 2005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Engineering Analysis EA05005 · opened Mar 22, 2005 · closed Aug 2, 2006 · led to recall 08V025000
- STEERING COLUMN
Preliminary Evaluation PE01033 · opened Sep 17, 2001 · closed Feb 6, 2002
- BLOW BACK DURING REFUELING
Preliminary Evaluation PE99047 · opened Jul 12, 1999 · closed Sep 23, 1999
- SPARE TIRE WEAR
Preliminary Evaluation PE99019 · opened Mar 4, 1999 · closed Jul 27, 1999
- SPARE TIRE MOUNTING
Defect Petition DP99002 · opened Mar 2, 1999 · closed Mar 17, 1999
Technical service bulletins
285 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1998 Ford F-150. The 10 most recent:
Safety recall 11S21 - Fuel tank strap fracture - requests for recall service action
TSB160073 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 21, 2016
For 1997-2003 F-150, 2004 F-150 Heritage, 1997-1999 F-250 Light Duty, or 2002-2003 Blackwood vehicles Safety Recall 11S21 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period…
16-0073 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 21, 2016
Ford/lincoln: safety recall regarding high corrosion areas for operating, for an extended time, vehicles where both or one strap of fuel tank can fracture, after contacting ground. Model 1997-99 f250 ld, 1997-03 f150…
TSB-14-0164 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 9, 2014
Ford/lincoln: safety recall issued due to one or both fuel tank straps fracturing due to being in high corrosion areas for an extended period and dislodging fuel tank. Model 1997-99 f250, 1997-03 f150, 2004 f150…
TSB-14-0147 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 11, 2014
Some 1997-2008 vehicles equipped with a 4.6l 2v, 5.4l 2v, or 6.8l 2v engine--spark plug thread repair procedure--not covered under new vehicle limited warranty. *nj this includes f-53 motorhome chassis. Updated 2/23/10…
07212 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 2007
Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running. *tt
041601 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 14, 2005
Rear axle noise repair. *tt
05618 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2005
Use of stainless steel exhaust studs in service for 5.4l 2v engine. *tt
0554 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 21, 2005
Guidance for cng tank inspection for vehicles produced after december 2, 1996. *tt update. *tt
020503 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 21, 2005
Intermittent rough idle - non-commanded egr (exhaust gas recirculation valve) flow. *tt
05417 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 7, 2005
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 1998 Ford F-150 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1998 Ford F-150?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 113,795 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.