1998 Ford F-250 problems & reliability
56 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Ford F-250, 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.
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1998 Ford F-250 vehicles were involved in 7 fatal crashes with 4 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension → | 14 | 25% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic → | 11 | 20% |
| Structure | 9 | 16% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 8 | 14% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 7% |
| Tires | 4 | 7% |
| Air Bags | 3 | 5% |
| Steering | 3 | 5% |
| Visibility | 3 | 5% |
| Electrical System | 2 | 4% |
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.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford f-250. The contact took the vehicle to an independent tire store and the mechanic refused to mount the rear driver side tire because the rim was severely rusted. All of the other rims were in the same condition, including the spare that was not even mounted. The vehicle was not taken…”
Wheels · filed Nov 5, 2018
“Sailun is not a currently a valid choice as a tire brand name:, nor is tarramax h/t a valid choice as a tire line:, why I have submitted this report under the unknowncategory for both of these cell inputs. Purchased (4) new sailun, tarramax h/t, lt265/75r-16 tires (in january 2016). After approximately 13,000 miles of…”
Tires · filed Jan 18, 2018
“Sailun is not a currently a valid choice as a tire brand name:, nor is tarramax h/t a valid choice as a tire line:, why I have submitted this report under the unknowncategory for both of these cell inputs. Purchased (4) new sailun, tarramax h/t, lt265/75r-16 tires (in january 2016). After approximately 13,000 miles of…”
Tires · filed Jan 18, 2018
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- 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
Technical service bulletins
213 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1998 Ford F-250. 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
Intermittent rough idle - non-commanded egr (exhaust gas recirculation valve) flow. *tt
05417 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 7, 2005
General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures. *tt
042107 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 13, 2004
General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures. *tt
04217 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 1, 2004
Customer maintenance reminder - literature program 04l19 - tie rod inspection procedure. *tt
04L19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2004
Oil leak at high pressure pump fittings and/or plug. This includes super duty f-series. Oasis. *tt
16515 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2004
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-250 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-250?
- · 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.