1998 Ford F-250 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
43 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
115,738 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 43 complaints (11.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 11.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 11.6% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 7.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 |
| Tires | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 3 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 3 |
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Torsion Bar | 3 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 5; Fuel System, Gasoline: 4; Tires: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Structure:Body:Door: 3; Structure:Frame And Members: 3; Suspension:Front:Springs:Torsion Bar: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 9 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 4
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 24 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 12 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2018 | 5 |
2000: 5; 2001: 12; 2002: 4; 2003: 5; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2008: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 4; 2012: 1; 2018: 5
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10025079 · 2003-06-27 (June 27, 2003)
THERE WAS A PULSATION IN THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN DEPRESSED. THE ABS SYSTEM LOCKED UP INTERMITTENTLY WHICH CAUSED THE TIRES TO WEAR PREMATURELY. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025079 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 720812 · 2000-03-30 (March 30, 2000)
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, BRAKES LOCK AND RELEASE RESULTING IN FAILURE OF VEHICLE TO STOP. WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED QUICKLY, PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR AND BRAKES FAIL. WHEN TRAVELING OVER A BUMPY SURFACE, IF BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THEY FAIL. IF DRIVING ON EXTREMELY WET ROADS AND BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THEY FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY. BRAKES PADS AND/OR ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES DUE TO IMPROPER WEAR. NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH THE DEALER AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO RESOLVE. HOWEVER, SINCE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 720812 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10355761 · 2010-09-15 (September 15, 2010)
I RECENTLY READ THAT NHTSA WAS INVESTIGATING FORD F 150 FROM 1997 TO 2001 FOR RUSTING GAS TANK STRAPS THAT EFFECTED 1.4 MILLION TRUCKS. I HAVE A FORD 1998 F-250 THAT HAD RUSTED GAS TANK STRAPS. ONE STRAP LET GO AND THE TANK MOVED OUT OF POSITION. I REPLACED IT MYSELF, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS DONE CORRECTLY OR WITH THE PROPER SAFETY PROTECTION. DID FORD ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS? WILL THEY INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF IT WAS DONE CORRECTLY? IS THERE A COST TO THE OWNER FOR ANY OF THIS? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF I…
Owner-reported narrative. 116,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10355761 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10399622 · 2011-05-09 (May 9, 2011)
THE METAL STRAPS HOLDING THE GAS TANK ON MY 1998 F250 (REGULAR DUTY) RUSTED TO PIECES ONE AT A TIME UNTIL THE LAST STRAP BROKE AND THE GAS TANK DROPPED ON TO THE ROAD. IT IS A MIRACLE THE TANK DIDN'T GET WEDGED UNDER THE VEHICLE OR EXPLODE FROM BEING DRAGGED ON THE ROAD. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 99,068 miles reported. Look up ODI 10399622 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10164778 · 2006-07-31 (July 31, 2006)
1998 FORD F-250 STEEL TIE-ROD WERE SUFFICIENTLY WORN, LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE ALSO WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *KB ***NAR*** THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A CAUTIONARY LETTER FROM THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY WHICH STATED IT WAS NECESSARY TO HAVE THE STEERING LINKAGE INSPECTED EVERY 15,000, WHICH PROMPTED THE CONSUMER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. AFTER THE INSTALLATION OF THE NEW AND IMPROVED STEERING COMPONETS, THE LEFT OUTER STEERING TIE ROD SOCKET DISENGAGED FROM THE BALL ON THE LEFT WHEEL ASSEMBLY WHILE MAKING A SLOW GRADUAL LEFT TURN. THIS FAIL…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10164778 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10245531 · 2008-10-15 (October 15, 2008)
STEERING GEAR BOX. IT HAS BECOME DISENGAGED AT THE PITMAN ARM. AND LEAKING FLUID. I HAVE FOUND THAT THE 97 AND 99 VERSIONS OF THIS TRUCK HAVE HAD PROBLEMS AND RECALLS FOR THIS. I WAS TOLD A WHILE BACK ( ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO) BY A CAR DEALERSHIP OWNER THAT THIS TRUCK IS ACTUALLY A 99 I WOULD LIKE TO ADD MY VEHICLE YEAR TO THIS LIST. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SPARK PLUGS "POPPING OUT" WHICH IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE TRITON ENGINES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 190,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10245531 at NHTSA ↗