1998 Ford F SERIES: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000247 · 2002-12-19 (December 19, 2002)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000247 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 ↗
Owner report 10062496 · 2004-03-18 (March 18, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10062496 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10068997 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068997 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10070222 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
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 DEFEC…
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10070222 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10070285 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10070285 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10093298 · 2004-09-29 (September 29, 2004)
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 TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 113,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10093298 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10118524 · 2005-04-26 (April 26, 2005)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10118524 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.