1998 Ford F SERIES problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
87,521 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 19 complaints (21.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 15.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 15.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 5.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Interior Lighting | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline: 4; Tires: 3; Electrical System: 2; Interior Lighting: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 4
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 3 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 5; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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 10135748 · 2005-09-07 (September 7, 2005)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 84,664 miles reported. Look up ODI 10135748 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10301980 · 2010-01-23 (January 23, 2010)
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 PROB…
Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10301980 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10246134 · 2008-10-20 (October 20, 2008)
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 WRA…
Owner-reported narrative. 151,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10246134 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10370719 · 2010-12-15 (December 15, 2010)
MY FUEL TANK STRAPS ARE RUSTED OUT AND FALLING OFF MY TRUCK ALLOWING MY FUEL TANK TO BE LESS SECURE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10370719 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10045046 · 2003-10-29 (October 29, 2003)
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 EARN…
Owner-reported narrative. 90,378 miles reported. Look up ODI 10045046 at NHTSA ↗