Model year record

1998 Ford F-150

8 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 1,624 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 11V385000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting

Component: Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 1,100,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2011-07-29
Owners notified: 2011-09-12

Defect description

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2003 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150, 2004 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150 HERITAGE, 1997 THROUGH 1999 MODEL YEAR F-250 LESS THAN 8,500 LBS. GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR), AND 2002 AND 2003 LINCOLN BLACKWOOD VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 20, 1995, THROUGH AUGUST 4, 2004, ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ROAD DEICING CHEMICALS MAY CAUSE SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WHICH SECURE THE TANK TO THE VEHICLE.

Safety risk

AS A RESULT OF THE CORROSION, ONE OR BOTH STRAPS MAY FAIL ALLOWING THE FUEL LINES TO SEPARATE FROM THE TANK, OR IN SOME CASES, CAUSING THE TANK TO CONTACT THE GROUND. EITHER SCENARIO MAY RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK PRESENTING A FIRE HAZARD.

Manufacturer remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND INSTRUCT THEM TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A FORD OR LINCOLN DEALER TO HAVE THE FUEL TANK STRAPS REPLACED WITH STRAPS THAT HAVE INCREASED CORROSION PROTECTION. EARLY IN THIS CAMPAIGN, IF REPLACEMENT STRAPS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, DEALERS MAY INSTALL A CABLE SUPPORT UNDER THE STRAP AS AN INTERIM REPAIR OR A STEEL REINFORCEMENT OVER THE EXISTING STRAP AS A PERMANENT REPAIR. ANY REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332. FORD'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 11S21

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V388000

Vehicle speed control

Component: Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 4,500,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2005-09-07
Owners notified: 2005-09-12

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Safety risk

A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

BY LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 12, 2005, OWNERS WERE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AND ADVISED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO RECONNECT THE SPEED CONTROL BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS WHO DID NOT HAVE THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED TO HAVE THEIR SYSTEM REMEDIED BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS ARE URGED TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE FREE DISCONNECT SERVICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT RISK OF FIRE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 06V286)

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V284000

Equipment: other: labels

Component: Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 4,500
Reported to NHTSA: 2000-09-21
Owners notified: 2000-11-11

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BI-FUEL CNG PICKUP TRUCKS AND BI-FUEL CNG VANS, MODIFIED BY CFI CONTROL SYSTEMS, INC., FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 303, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY OF COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS VEHICLES." THE LABEL AFFIXED TO THE FUEL FILLER DOOR BY THE VEHICLE MODIFIER CONTAINS THE INSPECTION DATE AND EXPIRATION DATE OF THE CNG TANK. HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT CONTAIN THE STATEMENT "SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE FUEL CONTAINER FOR INSPECTION AND SERVICE LIFE."

Safety risk

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED A LABEL WITH THE REQUIRED STATEMENT, ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR AFFIXING THE LABEL AT THE FUEL FILLER DOOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 2, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V168000

Exterior lighting

Component: Exterior lighting
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 20,637
Reported to NHTSA: 2000-06-19
Owners notified: 2000-07-19

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS, LIGHT PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. OFF LEASE CANADIAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WHICH MEET CANADIAN REQUIREMENTS AND NOT THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." ACCORDING TO FORD, THE VEHICLES WERE IMPORTED INTO THE U.S. ERRONEOUSLY.

Safety risk

THE LIGHT GIVEN OFF FROM THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS IS BRIGHTER THAN ALLOWED BY U.S. STANDARDS.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL BE ADVISED TO DEACTIVATE THE RUNNING LIGHT FUNCTION AND TO COMPLETE ANY OUTSTANDING SAFETY RECALLS ON THESE VEHICLES.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V161000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component: Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 202,000
Reported to NHTSA: 1998-07-15
Owners notified: 1998-08-10

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY 4-WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCKS. IF THE VEHICLE IS OVERLOADED, THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS CAN BE OVERSTRESSED. A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE SPRING CAN OCCUR. THE CENTER LEAF OF THE SPRING CAN FRACTURE AT THE FORWARD EDGE OF THE SPRING SEAT AND, IN SOME CASES, CONTACT THE FUEL TANK.

Safety risk

FUEL TANK CONTACT CAN DAMAGE THE TANK AND RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR SPRINGS AND INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL CLIP ON THE FORWARD END OF THE REAR SPRINGS TO PREVENT FUEL TANK CONTACT IN THE EVENT OF A LEAF FRACTURE. ANY FRACTURED SPRINGS WILL BE REPLACED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V095000

Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Component: Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 1,520,000
Reported to NHTSA: 1998-05-13
Owners notified: 1998-07-20

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES AND LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THE LUG NUTS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT CREATE SUFFICIENT CLAMP LOAD ALLOWING WHEEL MOVEMENT IN RELATION TO THE HUB/ROTOR MOUNTING SURFACE.

Safety risk

THIS CAN RESULT IN THE LOOSENING OF LUG NUTS, STUD FATIGUE FAILURE, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A WHEEL SEPARATION FROM THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES WILL BE RECEIVING TWO NOTIFICATIONS. THE FIRST NOTIFICATION, WHICH BEGAN IN MAY 1998, WILL PROVIDE AN INTERIM REPAIR PROCEDURE UNTIL PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE. THIS INTERIM PROCEDURE CAN BE COMPLETED BY OWNERS OR THEIR DEALERS. IT SPECIFIES THAT THE LUG NUT TORQUE MUST BE VERIFIED TO BE 100 LBS. THEN THE LUG NUTS NEED TO BE TIGHTENED AN ADDITIONAL 1/8 TO 1/4 TURN MORE. THERE WILL BE A SECOND OWNER NOTIFICATION, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN JULY 20, 1998, UNDER WHICH DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WHEEL STUDS AND REPLACE THE WHEEL LUG NUTS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V007000

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Component: Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 45,000
Reported to NHTSA: 1998-01-21
Owners notified: 1998-03-30

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A 4.2L ENGINE AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, MINNESOTA, WISCONSIN, NEW YORK, VERMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, MAINE, MICHIGAN, IDAHO, WYOMING, SOUTH DAKOTA, COLORADO, NEBRASKA, KANSAS, IOWA, MISSOURI, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, AND MASSACHUSETTS. THE THROTTLE IS UNABLE TO RETURN TO IDLE DUE TO ICE FORMING IN THE THROTTLE BODY WHEN THE TEMPERATURE RANGES FROM -10 TO -40 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.

Safety risk

INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORTS OR SOME INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE COULD RESULT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED PCV SYSTEM ON THESE VEHICLES.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V171000

Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)

Component: Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 866,000
Reported to NHTSA: 1997-10-07
Owners notified: 1997-10-20

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY WAS NOT FULLY ATTACHED TO THE STEERING COLUMN BRACKET, THE SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY CAN COME OUT OF THE BRACKET. THE VEHICLE OPERATOR WOULD THEN NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION FROM ONE OF THE DRIVE GEAR POSITIONS INTO THE PARK POSITION EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR WOULD INDICATE "PARK."

Safety risk

THE CONDITION WOULD NOT ALLOW A DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE PARK POSITION OR AFFECT PROPER NEUTRAL START SWITCH OPERATION. UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR IF THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT SET.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL MAKE THE PROPER ATTACHMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL CABLE TO THE STEERING COLUMN BRACKET AND ADD A TIE STRAP TO THAT CONNECTION.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Fuel system, gasoline	141	140,000 mi
Structure: body: door	110	60,000 mi
Tires	82	118,888 mi
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar	64	56,998 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	60	92,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly	60	80,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	58	86,500 mi
Tires: tread/belt	54	53,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	53	120,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	51	89,500 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control	46	100,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	40	76,000 mi
Electrical system	38	127,400 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs	37	68,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	36	85,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting	29	140,000 mi
Unknown or other	26	100,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	25	55,000 mi
Visibility: windshield	19	70,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood	17	116,900 mi
Interior lighting	17	85,000 mi
Suspension	16	146,000 mi
Suspension: front	16	42,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	15	170,000 mi
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire	15	100,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	15	90,000 mi
Engine	14	100,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	14	130,000 mi
Power train	13	177,000 mi
Steering	13	162,224 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear	13	50,200 mi
Structure: body	12	120,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	11	90,521 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components	11	—
Structure	11	86,000 mi
Air bags	10	168,913 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	10	113,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly	10	132,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition	9	101,000 mi
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack	9	—
Fuel system, other	9	130,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly	9	—
Tires: sidewall	9	40,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)	8	82,900 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	8	70,000 mi
Steering: linkages	8	—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer	8	—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers	7	30,000 mi
Seat belts	7	74,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc	7	127,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar	7	—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module	6	—
Power train: driveline: differential unit	6	102,000 mi
Structure: frame and members	6	166,000 mi
Suspension: rear	6	115,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls	6	76,815 mi
Electrical system: wiring	5	90,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	5	105,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission	5	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	5	62,441 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder	5	176,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint	5	125,000 mi
Visibility	5	55,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	4	25,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	4	108,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	4	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages	4	—
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint	4	120,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly: leaf	4	145,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior	4	20,000 mi
Wheels	4	15,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator	3	—
Electrical system: horn	3	30,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights	3	115,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly	3	67,000 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft	3	—
Seat belts: front: anchorage	3	—
Seats	3	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads	3	—
Suspension: front: control arm	3	—
Vehicle speed control: cables	3	145,580 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages	3	—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core	3	68,521 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor	3	50,000 mi
Wheels: rim	3	75,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module	2	—
Electrical system: starter assembly	2	35,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys	2	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor	2	196,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch	2	42,000 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights	2	—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	2	48,186 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: auxillary tank	2	168,472 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap	2	—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	2	71,500 mi
Parking brake	2	90,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch	2	—
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter	2	3,000 mi
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)	2	—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly	2	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper	2	66,398 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum	2	—
Steering: column	2	—
Steering: gear box: shaft sector	2	149,300 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system	2	—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments	2	80,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs	2	—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring	2	20,000 mi
Air bags: side/window	1	—
Back over prevention: warnings: external/pedestrian alert	1	—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	1	230,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control	1	60,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)	1	—
Equipment	1	30,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices	1	—
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer: LPG systems: tank assembly	1	167,000 mi
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer: LPG systems: water heater	1	68,521 mi
Exterior lighting	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: auxillary tank: selector devices	1	—
Parking brake: driveline: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	153,425 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines	1	—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft	1	—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal	1	—
Power train: clutch assembly	1	—
Power train: driveline	1	—
Power train: driveline: universal joint	1	—
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly	1	74,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission: shift pattern indicator	1	—
Seat belts: front: retractor	1	—
Service brakes	1	200,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light	1	7,600 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings	1	—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)	1	—
Steering: gear box: shaft pitman	1	68,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump	1	—
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm	1	—
Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting	1	—
Structure: body: roof and pillars	1	—
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields	1	161,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm	1	—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut	1	161,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs	1	—
Suspension: front: springs: leaf spring assembly	1	68,000 mi
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar	1	—
Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly	1	125,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: air suspension system	1	—
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly: shackle	1	146,000 mi
Tires: bead	1	108,000 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems	1	10,000 mi
Tires: valve	1	—
Unknown	1	—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system	1	—
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer	1	—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices	1	—
Wheels: hub	1	—

The 1997 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1999 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

RQ98022REAR SUSPENSION SPRING BREAKAGE

Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.