1998 Ford F Series
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 1998 Ford F Series. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
20 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Structure › Body
Third door jammed. *tr
- Engine and engine cooling
While driving 25 mph the #2 spark plug striped its threads and blew out of the head. The plug remained in the wiring harness cap and continued to spark. The repair cost $220.00. I am told this IS an ongoing defect in the design of some of fords engines. *tr
- Electrical system · Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, gasoline
Spark plug blew out of the head with such force that it cracked the coil and was sparking on the fuel line with fuel vapors coming out of the head at the same time. this could have caused a fire/explosion if the vehicle could not have been shut off quickly enough. I was idle in my driveway and…
Spark plug blew out of the head with such force that it cracked the coil and was sparking on the fuel line with fuel vapors coming out of the head at the same time. this could have caused a fire/explosion if the vehicle could not have been shut off quickly enough. I was idle in my driveway and not on the highway where it would have taken longer to shut the vehicle off. internet research returned astonishing amount of complaints for the same issue. *Tr
- Fuel system, gasoline
I had the truck on a lift to check for a noise from the undercarriage. I noticed that the front fuel tank strap was rusted thru and the tank was loose. Had to make a temporary repair. I checked the vin on the ford website and the information was there was no recall. *tr
- Fuel system, gasoline
My fuel tank straps are rusted out and falling off my truck allowing my fuel tank to be less secure. *Tr
- Electrical system · Interior lighting · Vehicle speed control · Visibility
Ford has a known problem with the windshield allowing water to leak into the cab,over time it has corrupted the wiring,making electrical devices fail to having a dead short that causes power to dash to continue after key IS removed,this IS a fire hazard at best, to the fact the windshield wipers…
Ford has a known problem with the windshield allowing water to leak into the cab,over time it has corrupted the wiring,making electrical devices fail to having a dead short that causes power to dash to continue after key IS removed,this IS a fire hazard at best, to the fact the windshield wipers can fail at any time.ther are many tsb's concerning this problem 99133 98246 976011 98913 to name a few.this also crosses over to several models and years and in canada there IS a recall for some of the f series ford truck for this very problem. My problems are typical of all the outhers. Ther IS rust present under dash,doom lights,door lights,chimes,power windows and windshield wipers do not work. Vehicle does not hold charge due to power drain without key in ignition. I have also had a problem with the cruise control not disengaging after tapping brake or throttle I could feel the peddle reset itself after tapping both. I have had the window replaced and resealed. At this point I will be replacing the general electric module and hope that fixes the wipers for me. It's hard to say what else IS fried at this point. That part would be available. I may have to replace the fuse panel also. It seems that many of the ford tech's are having a problem with this and its replace parts till you or the problem goes away at your own expense, but no one IS taking responsibility for the faulty window install that had caused this in the first place.so to sum it up this vehicle has the potential to spontaneously combust,run away or have the wipers fail at any time also the car fires attributed to the cruise control may in fact be related to this problem. I think someone should take a look at this. *Tr
- Tires
I have had 3 tire failures due to valve stem failure. all three times we were going down the freeway and had sudden loss of air pressure. this resulted in replacing two tires on 2 vehicles and replacing stems on the remaining 6 tires. both vehicles had new tires put on about the same time at the…
I have had 3 tire failures due to valve stem failure. all three times we were going down the freeway and had sudden loss of air pressure. this resulted in replacing two tires on 2 vehicles and replacing stems on the remaining 6 tires. both vehicles had new tires put on about the same time at the same dealer. (april 2007) I understand from consumer report that there IS a recall on dill valve stems. I am trying to determine if these stems were part of that recall. *Tr
- Engine and engine cooling
I have a 1998 ford pickup with a 5.4L engine and just today as I was driving it the spark plug blew out. As soon as I heard the popping sound I immediately shut the truck down. I opened the hood and there was the plug dangling there. I was able to install the plug back on but got 3 turns on it and…
I have a 1998 ford pickup with a 5.4L engine and just today as I was driving it the spark plug blew out. As soon as I heard the popping sound I immediately shut the truck down. I opened the hood and there was the plug dangling there. I was able to install the plug back on but got 3 turns on it and it was tight. No way should a spark plug only have a few turns on it and no way should a plug fly out of an engine that IS spewing gasoline and the plug still sparking. If there IS a class action lawsuit against this company sign me up. Never again will I buy a ford product. All their vehicles catch fire( remember the cruise control). This IS a prime example why the us auto industry sucks and they still want us to bail them out. I have half a mind to go to detroit and beat the crap out of an engineer there. I am all for an attorney to call me if it IS a class action lawsuit. If you make faulty dangerous products such as this you should be put in jail! People can die from this! I hope ford goes the way of all the rest of the old american auto makers. We should not have to bail them out so they can make more dangerous products and snowball the public!! *Tr
- Fuel system, gasoline · Structure
This was not a particularly bad incident, but it could very well have been. I consider it a 'close call' from which there IS a warning to be heard. the straps holding up the gas tank on my F-150 rusted through, dropping the tank [fortunately at low speed where I could stop fast - even so…
This was not a particularly bad incident, but it could very well have been. I consider it a 'close call' from which there IS a warning to be heard. the straps holding up the gas tank on my F-150 rusted through, dropping the tank [fortunately at low speed where I could stop fast - even so, another foot or so and I would have burst the tank against a sewer grating]. The tank was rust-free, as were the vertical parts of the straps. I think that the plastic pad between the straps and the tank held water against the strap, rusting it. The pad wraps around the strap, and I believe scooped water thrown by the tires. I suggest either a pad redesign to eliminate this, or that the straps be of stainless. the straps appeared to be intact, but the metal was pretty much converted to rust without changing shape. It IS not like the straps were visibly rusted away. I suspect that the pad held the rust in place. I had changed the oil not too long before and noticed nothing wrong. I do not specifically recall looking at the straps, but I do try to look around when I am under the truck just to see if anything IS funky. had I been going at any decent speed, not in a parking lot, I suspect I would have burned to death.... the repair was simple; replace the straps and two plastic vent hose connections that failed. Jacking up the tank [full] and tying it up so the truck could be pulled up on a tiltbed was a hassle, mainly since I did not have the appropriate tools on hand. a simple inspection would have prevented this incident, though it would have to have been more than just a visual inspection; poking the strap with a pick to verify it wasn't all rust just looking like surface rusted metal.. but your system will not take that number, saying it IS invalid. it IS a 1998 F-150 4WD, extended cab, stick shift, with ac. *Tr
- Tires › Tread/belt
I own a 1998 F150 approx. Two and a half years ago I purchased a set of 4 general ameritrac SUV tires from sears, size p225/70 R16 109S. Within a period of one year and a range of 18 to 28 thousand miles, three of the tires have had the tire separate from the steel belts, the last which happened…
I own a 1998 F150 approx. Two and a half years ago I purchased a set of 4 general ameritrac SUV tires from sears, size p225/70 R16 109S. Within a period of one year and a range of 18 to 28 thousand miles, three of the tires have had the tire separate from the steel belts, the last which happened today, almost killed me. Something IS wrong with the manufacture of these tires. I do check the pressure on a regular basis,every 2 to 3 weeks. I still have the last two tires that have failed. *nm
- Engine and engine cooling · Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
I was towing an ultra light camping trailer with the cruise control engaged when I smelled what appeared to be an electrical fire then the engine immediately failed . I replaced the entire engine at a cost of $ 4000.00 and have had at least 10 more instances where the cruise control stopped working on the interstate. *Jb
- Equipment › Electrical › Anti-theft devices · Interior lighting · Structure › Body › Door · Suspension › Rear
Alarm goes off for no reason. Door open, light IS on all the time. Also, check engine light comes on then goes off. Loud noise in rear end when starting off.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
I was driving an heard a loud squealing noise from under the hood. lost power and lights dimmed for a brief period. I pulled over and smelled antifreeze before I opened the hood. I checked the coolant recovery tank level and it was slightly low. looked for a leak and found a 1/16th" pinhole…
I was driving an heard a loud squealing noise from under the hood. lost power and lights dimmed for a brief period. I pulled over and smelled antifreeze before I opened the hood. I checked the coolant recovery tank level and it was slightly low. looked for a leak and found a 1/16th" pinhole approximately one inch below the thermostat housing gasket line producing a steady stream of antifreeze directly onto the serpentine belt. this strong leak continues as long as the proper fluid level IS maintained, and stops once the level falls below the hole. to refill the tank to it's proper level takes approximately one us gallon of coolant, which immediately begins to squirt out the hole, whether the engine IS running or not; hot or cold. took it to my mechanic who told me all he could do IS replace the engine, which I have not done. I will be taking it to the closest ford dealer, as several other professional mechanics have looked at it and all agreed that it was a defect in the casting, since there was no cracking- just a round pin hole in an area where there are no moving parts that could have caused such damage.*ak
- Unknown or other
I've had a problem with the doors cracking on both side and ford tryed to fix them , but one side has crcked again and the finsh "sucks". They put filler (bondo)in the doors and the passenger side has crcked again.i was not happy about the filler because there wasn't any filler when I…
I've had a problem with the doors cracking on both side and ford tryed to fix them , but one side has crcked again and the finsh "sucks". They put filler (bondo)in the doors and the passenger side has crcked again.i was not happy about the filler because there wasn't any filler when I bought the truck. Now the paint on the roof IS cracking and peeling off the metal and starting to rush bad at the top of the windshield area. I took it in and the dealer told me or the factory rep. Said oh well we won't fix it. I was told the truck was not under any warranty.i have found several service bulletins on these problems but I guess ford doesn't stand behind there product. I don't care how old a truck IS or how long you have had it , the paint should never crack and peel off the metal like mine IS doing .i've seen cars in junk yards with better paint then mine has.
- Tires
This case involves continental tires that fail suddenly (unexpected blowouts), and destabilize the vehicle. This IS the 2ND very similar failure I've had with these oem tires, they failed similarly by rupture and tread separation, with the ruptured and failed steel belts clearly visible under the…
This case involves continental tires that fail suddenly (unexpected blowouts), and destabilize the vehicle. This IS the 2ND very similar failure I've had with these oem tires, they failed similarly by rupture and tread separation, with the ruptured and failed steel belts clearly visible under the separated tread. I've sent the tire to continental, they have likely put a puncture in it that did not exist when the tire was sent to them, and claimed that this puncture had caused overheating and failure. They are attempting to cover up these defects, just as they attempted to cover up the defects in the first tire that failed. see a copy of the letter below that I sent to them recently. Please contact me [xxx] [xxx], [xxx] continental tire north america, inc., charlotte, nc 28273 ref: claim #: [xxx] via certified mail: [xxx] dear [xxx], I have received your 4-9-03 letter, in which you deny my 3-28-03 claim for vehicle and tire damage due to your defective tire product.: 1.this IS a notice to you not to destroy, discard, alter, or conceal in any other way my tire, dot number [xxx], which IS the subject of this claim and which I sent to you on 3-28-03 via ups. This tire IS the subject of the impending litigation. Please note substantial penalties for destroying or disposing of evidence in a impending legal action, once the notice has been given to you via this letter. I demand that you promptly return to me this tire [xxx], and that you identify in writing all the alterations you have already made to this tire. 2.THE tire in the picture you sent to me with your 4-9-03 letter IS clearly not my tire that IS the subject of this claim, and that I sent to you on 3-28-03. 3.there were no punctures of any kind in the failed tire, dot number [xxx], I sent to you on 3-28-03 for this claim. The condition and appearance of this tire has been extensively documented and witnessed before it was sent to you. information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6). *tr
- Unknown or other
Paint showing crowsfoot all over the body, this vehicle came from kansas city plant where there was a fault with the painting equipment( a factory defect). Ford aswell as the dealership ( franklin ford,franklin n.c.)will not acknowledge it. I need to find out more about this equipment fault, can you please help me.
- Electrical system › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control module
The anti- theft alarm goes off for no reason at all hours for no reason. rogers ford hchecked it & couldn't get it to go off. I told them they couldn't make it go off. It does it whenever. It's been going on for two years now & it's a real pain in the neck. I see I am not the only one to complain…
The anti- theft alarm goes off for no reason at all hours for no reason. rogers ford hchecked it & couldn't get it to go off. I told them they couldn't make it go off. It does it whenever. It's been going on for two years now & it's a real pain in the neck. I see I am not the only one to complain about this. But there are probably thousands who have not sent in a complaint to you. I've emailed ford motor company about it & never got a reply.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
I own a 1998 ford F150 xlt truck. I maintain my truck as required (oil, etc). on oct. 25,2003 when going to turn the truck on I heard a loud noise in the engine and the truck seem to stall. I looked under the truck and noticed a hole on the right side of the oil pan panel and oil came out. once…
I own a 1998 ford F150 xlt truck. I maintain my truck as required (oil, etc). on oct. 25,2003 when going to turn the truck on I heard a loud noise in the engine and the truck seem to stall. I looked under the truck and noticed a hole on the right side of the oil pan panel and oil came out. once I got it to talk to my mechanic he informed me that he knew of the 'notorius' or 'infamous' reputation the (4.2L ford engines) have. it seems disturbing to me that ford would use engines like this on veichles and us consumers spending are hard earned money have to pay for something that no matter how good you maintain will eventually break down. I came to find out that people that are involved with cars (mechanics and managers of well known part stores) call this type of motor engine. now I need to put a new engine into a truck that otherwise ran fine. I will never ever buy a ford again and warn all my close friends and colleagues to do the same.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Equipment · Tires
I currently have a 1998 ford F150 4.2L engine that has 65000 miles and am experiencing head gasket failure. ford moco stats there IS no tsp's or recalls reguarding this. I pulled the owners notification 98b33 off your web site. my engine build date IS nov 1997 at the essex plant. I am in the…
I currently have a 1998 ford F150 4.2L engine that has 65000 miles and am experiencing head gasket failure. ford moco stats there IS no tsp's or recalls reguarding this. I pulled the owners notification 98b33 off your web site. my engine build date IS nov 1997 at the essex plant. I am in the army and am stationed in germany. the dealership here quoted me 2500.00 for the estimate. at this time they will not honor the u.s. Esp purchased from the original dealer. I am currently trying to get this resolved. ford will not give part to me at no cost to fix there defective head gaskets and lower intake manidols gaskets and engine front cover gaskets. they are giving me the run around and can't get me straight answers. I am continuing working with my dealership. I am afraid they will sit on this until my warranty runs out on the 22 january 2003.
- Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Accelerator sticks when the vehicle IS first started in cold weather. Ford was contacted and IS aware of the problem, but cannot remedy the problem. Problem still exists. Provide further information. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
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…
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 nhtsa 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 nhtsa?s limited resources to best accomplish the agency?s safety mission, the petition IS denied.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10029029Jerr-dan: anti stall feature for ford f series light duty chassis with V10 gas engine and an engine drive clutch pump. Model years unknown.
- 10014086General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10013369General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
- 10008279New service part - number 5 needle bearing and race kit - 4r70w transmission - service tip.
- 10004874Rough idle, miss and various other driveability concerns on vehicles with 7.3L dit engine. This may be related to injector bore scuffing caused by fuel quality issues.
- 10004027Remote keyless entry (rke) - service tips.
- 10001937False failure of the vapor management valve (vmv).
- 6092152Some vehicles equipped with engines produced by windsor engine plant may exhibit an engine knock at initial cold startup.
- 6092086Subject regarding ford quality renewal (fqr) assembly launch of 4.6L 2V engine.
- 6091810Subject regarding proper operation and interpretation of dual air pressure gauge readings.
- 6091806Bief information regarding diagnostic code retrival on bi-fuel vehicles.
- 6091800Subject regarding technical hotline assistance for bi-fuel vehicles.
- 6090873Locks failed. Yd
- 6090791Vehicles equipped with windsor engines only may exhibit an engine knock at initial cold startup.
- 6090709Experiencing engine knock at initial cold startup.
- 6090544Information regarding e40d/4r100 transmission fluid cooler flow test specification. *Mjs
- 6090538Information regarding camshaft position (cmp) sensor alignment tool chart. *Mjs
- 6090312Subject regarding E40D / 4r100 transmission fluid cooler flow test specification.
- 6090310Some service manuals may list the incorrect camshaft position sensor alignment tool for vehicles with various engine sizes.
- 6090184Information on replacing and / or repairing malfunctioning (door, ignition and decklid) locks.
- 6090087Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems.
- 6089681Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses.
- 6089616Emission recall for vehicles that were built with a fuel filler-valve which could leak while the vehicle IS being operated which can exceed evaporative emissions standards.
- 637787This bulletin states that some 4.6L fqr engine assemblies may have a smaller or larger knock sensor threaded hold than the one in the original engine assembly.
- 636408Some dedicated CNG vehicles may exhibit driveability conditions of hard start / no start / rough running.
- 636344Some vehicles may exhibit wheels that seize to the hubs and are difficult to remove during service.
- 630653Some vehicles may exhibit driveability conditions and / or check engine lamp illuminated with a diagnostic trouble p0455 (gross leak detected).
- 630412Some vehicles may exhibit a condition of oil contamination in cooling system.
- 630354Some vehicles may run rough at cruise or momentarily after stopping, a check engine light,and p030x codes.
- 630273Some vehicles equipped with 7.3L di engine may exhibit false diagnostic trouble codes p1105, p1106 (upper and lower alternator faults).
- 630026Some vehicles may exhibit driveabilty conditions and/or check engine lamp illuminated with a diagnostic trouble code p0455 (gross leak detected).
- 625773Some vehicles may exhibit a difficult to remove wheel rim condition.
- 619335Subject regarding certain vehicles with 4.6L romeo engines exhibiting an oil leak from the cylinder head gasket area.
- 619315Some vehicles equipped with 4.6L romeo engine may exhibit an oil leak from the cylinder head gasket area.
- 615543Some vehicles equipped with 4r70w transmissions may exhibit delayed or no 2-3 upshift, primarily when the transmission IS cold. Transmission control indicator light (tcil) may also flash with diagnostic trouble code p0782.
- 615491All vehicles with antilock brake module concerns that require a module replacement, the technician must call for approval before removing and / or replacing the module.
- 615335Some vehicles may exhibit a hard start / long crank, cold start stall, cold rough idle concern.
- 615281Information on setting the check engine light and setting diagnostic trouble code p0455 (evaporative emissions gross leak).
- 615276Some vehicles with 7.3L dit engines may exhibit a no start / hard start and / or long crank time.
- 615232Some factury installed cd changers may have revised shipping locations for the cd magazine.
Every Ford F Series model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.