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1998 Ford F-150 Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1998 Ford F-150 has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Fuel tank strap corrosion and tank detachment.” Ford uses the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM) to determine when oil changes are due based on actual driving load — not just mileage. Ford's published cap is 10,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first. The schedule below reflects Ford's Normal service intervals; F-Series trucks and Super Duty have additional towing-specific items.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1998 Ford F-150.

Reported to NHTSA

Fuel tank strap corrosion and tank detachment

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

145 NHTSA complaints · 2011-05 → 2019-12

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE FUEL TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED SPARKS WHEN IT FELL ONTO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE CORRODED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10413388
“WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH THE STRAP THAT HOLDS THE GAS TANK IN PLACE BROKE. BY THE TIME WE GOT TO A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER, THE GAS TANK HAD A LARGE HOLE IN IT FROM SCRAPING ON THE ROAD & 20+ GALLONS OF GASOLINE WAS RUNNING OUT BENEATH OUR VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10417414
“I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON A SMOOTH, PAVED ROAD, WHEN THE TWO STRAPS THAT SUPPORT THE VEHICLE FUEL TANK BROKE, AND THE TANK FELL TO THE ROAD. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE MAIN ROAD AND INVESTIGATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10412300

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Frame and underbody rust corrosion

STRUCTURE

7 NHTSA complaints · 2011-07 → 2023-12

“Mechanic said the frame is rusting badly. Suggested I not pull a heavy trailer or haul heavy loads in the bed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11560757
“FRAME SO RUSTED CAN'T GET A STICKER, ORIGINAL PAINT ON TRUCK. FORD WAS FACTORY UNDERCOATED WITH RUBBER TYPE UNDERCOATING. WHICH PEALED OFF AND LEFT LOTS OF RUST ON ENTIRE FRAME. NOT SAFE FOR INSPECTION. TOLD BY GARAGE, TO JUNK IT. BOUGHT NEW IN 1998”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10782259
“I have multiple issues that hit all around same time. Body rusted and water leaks getting the bcm wet which causes the truck to go haywire, lights flashing, doors locking and unlocking, radio stays on, caused multiple things to stop working”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11444287

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission shift lever fails to engage park

POWER TRAIN

8 NHTSA complaints · 2011-09 → 2015-04

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS OUT THE DRIVEWAY AND INTO THE STREET. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY WAS FAULTY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10705381
“GEAR SELECTOR LEVER BECAME "SLOPPY" AND I COULDN'T DEPEND ON THE SELECTOR FOR PARK, OR DRIVE GEARS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10643158
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT PIN WAS BROKEN AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO PARK. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10427581

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Spark plug ejection from cylinder head

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

18 NHTSA complaints · 2011-11 → 2019-06

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10442580
“I HAVE NOW HAD 3 SPARK PLUGS EJECT THEMSELVES FROM THE MOTOR. TO ME THERE IS A RISK OF FIRE BEING THAT THE PLUG IS EXPOSED AS WELL AS FUEL/FUEL VAPORS SINCE THE PLUG IS OUT OF THE HEAD. THERE IS ALSO A MANIFOLD EXHAUST LEAK DUE TO THE STUDS BREAKING OFF IN THE MOTOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10588108
“FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING COOLANT IN PISTON BORE HYDROLOCKED MOTOR OVER NIGHT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11217667

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Corroded brake line causing brake failure

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

8 NHTSA complaints · 2011-05 → 2015-05

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10664649
“WHILE BRAKING TO TURN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP. LUCKILY I WAS ALREADY SLOWING FOR THE TURN AND WAS ABLE TO DOWNSHIFT TO SLOW ENOUGH FOR THE TURN. MECHANIC SAID THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED THROUGH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10446228
“BRAKE LINE TO REAR WHEELS CORRODED CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKING ABILITY. EVENT OCCURRED BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. BRAKE LINES, FITTINGS AND FLUID REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10400879

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering and suspension component failure

STEERING, SUSPENSION

9 NHTSA complaints · 2011-06 → 2017-07

“VEHICLE EXPERIENCES A VIOLENT SHAKING IN THE STEERING AND FRONT SUSPENSION CALLED "THE DEATH WOBBLE". OCCURS AS SPEEDS BETWEEN 40 AND 70 MPH. OCCURS IF ROAD IS SOMEWHAT BUMPY. OCCURS OFTEN AND COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11010752
“I WAS DRIVING MY PICK UP FORD 150 1998 32 MILE FOR HOUR AND I LOSE CONTROL OF MY STEERING WHEEL . MY STEERING WHEEL DO NOT RESPOND .. STEERING WHEEL WENT LOOSE TURNING AND TURNING WITH NO CONTROL OF THE TRUCK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10563107
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A SNAPPING SOUND FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER COMING TO A STOP THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BRACKET THAT CONNECTED TO THE LEAF SPRING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10452337

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electrical fire linked to speed control switch

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

7 NHTSA complaints · 2011-07 → 2019-04

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT WAS NOT NOTIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V017000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) WAS ISSUED ON JANUARY 27, 2005. THE SPEED CONTROL FUNCTION FAILED TO PROPERLY SHUT OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11195825
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED AT 62 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 80 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10486454
“WHILE MY TRUCK WAS PARKED, IT STARTED ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD IN THE AREA OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. THE TRUCK IS TOTALED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10475725

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 7,500 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic Motorcraft oil per the IOLM, or every 7,500-10,000 miles. EcoBoost engines require full synthetic; Coyote 5.0L V8 specifies SAE 5W-30.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate tires every 10,000 miles, or with every other oil change. F-150 4x4 owners should rotate every 5,000-7,500 miles to even out drivetrain bias wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid level every 10,000 miles. Front pads on F-150 and Explorer typically last 40,000-60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Ford specifies brake fluid replacement on an inspection basis, but moisture testing every 3 years is recommended. Replace if reading exceeds 3% water content.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. EcoBoost turbocharged engines are sensitive to airflow restriction — don't extend.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 150,000 mi

Ford 6R80, 10R80, and 8F transmissions use Mercon LV fluid rated 150,000 miles under normal service. Severe service (towing, plowing) drops this to 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD models)

Every 60,000 mi

On 4x4 models, replace transfer case fluid every 60,000 miles. Use Motorcraft XL-12 — do not substitute generic transfer case fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 100,000 mi

F-Series and Expedition: replace rear axle fluid every 100,000 miles, or 50,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip rear ends require friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs on Coyote 5.0L, EcoBoost 2.7L/3.5L, and 2.3L are rated 100,000 miles. EcoBoost engines: never exceed the interval — gap erosion causes coil failure.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

Motorcraft Orange (Dex-Cool compatible) coolant: first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Older trucks with Yellow Motorcraft coolant: 50,000 miles throughout.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 20,000 miles. On F-150, located behind the glove box; on Escape and Explorer, accessed from the passenger footwell.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

1,179 crashes 1990–2024

How the 1,179 occupant deaths break down

913

driver deaths

266

passenger deaths

1,179

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1997 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

84

complaints mentioning a crash

98

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 1998 Ford F-150 reflects Ford's published service intervals and the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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