1998 Ford F-250 Problems: 56 Complaints, 6 Recalls

The worst 1998 Ford F-250 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Suspension
14
Brakes
11
Body
9
Engine
8
Fuel system
6

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Suspension
14
Brakes
11
Body
9
Engine
8
Fuel system
6
Tires
4
Airbags
3
Steering
3
Visibility
3
Acceleration
2
Electrical
2
Lights
2
Transmission
2
Wheels
1

Recalls 6

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mountingReported July 29, 2011 · 1,100,000 vehicles affected

What is wrong: 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.
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.
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 number 11V385000 · Recall details

Vehicle speed controlReported August 1, 2006 · 1,200,000 vehicles affected

What is wrong: On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.
Risk: Overheating could result in smoke or burn and an underhood fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. The recall began on august 7, 2006. Owners may contact ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332. (note: also see recalls 05v017 and 05v388)

Recall number 06V286000 · Recall details

Vehicle speed controlReported September 7, 2005 · 4,500,000 vehicles affected

What is wrong: On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn.
Risk: A fire at the switch could occur.
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 number 05V388000 · Recall details

Equipment: other: labelsReported September 21, 2000 · 4,500 vehicles affected

What is wrong: 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."
Risk: These vehicles do not comply with the requirements.
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 number 00V284000 · Recall details

Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studsReported May 13, 1998 · 1,520,000 vehicles affected

What is wrong: 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.
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.
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 number 98V095000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)Reported October 7, 1997 · 866,000 vehicles affected

What is wrong: 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."
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.
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.

Recall number 97V171000 · Recall details

See all 6 recalls for the 1998 Ford F-250

Defect investigations

Spark plug ejection from cylinder headOpened September 22, 2005, closed January 4, 2006

On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehicle stalled without restart.information contained in the odi consumer complaints and obtained from 72 telephone interviews with complainants showed the following:(1) 99% of the complaints were on my 1997 to 2002 subject vehicles.(2) most the complainants reported hearing a loud pop while driving or upon starting up the vehicle followed by a loud, repetitive clicking or popping sound.(3) many of the complainants reported that the popping sound was accompanied by some loss of vehicle power; however, in 99% of the incidents reported, the vehicle did not stall.in the very few incidents where the vehicle did stall, most vehicles could be restarted.(4) only a small percentage of the complainants cited that they smelled gas or a slight burning smell when the incident occurred.(5) in all but a very few incidents, vehicle damage was limited to the engine.in one incident, the complaint reported that the fuel rail was damaged and replaced after one of the spark plugs ejected from the engine; however, the complainant reported that the damage did not result in any type of fuel leak or fire.in another incident, the only incident where a fire was alleged, the complainant reported that no fluid leak was observed, but that a fire resulted after the spark plug had ejected from the engine and he had restarted the vehicle and driven to another location.none of the complainants reported any damage to the vehicle hood.(6) only two complainants reported that they observed what appeared to be some drops of fuel coming from the cylinder where the spark plug had failed or on the spark plug itself; however, each of these complainants reported that there was no smoke or flames as a result of his incident.as the petitioner noted, and odi?s analysis showed, it is possible for a spark plug to detach from the engine cylinder threads in the subject vehicles.however, odi?s analysis of 474 complaints describing such incidents found only a very few alleged any safety-related consequences.none of these showed any evidence of a serious safety consequence.given the large population and relatively long exposure time of the subject vehicles, the complaint analysis indicates that the risk to motor vehicle safety from the alleged defect is very low.in view of the foregoing, it is unlikely that the federal safety agency would issue an order for the notification and remedy of the alleged defect at the conclusion of the investigation requested in the petition.therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize the federal safety agency?s limited resources to best accomplish the agency?s safety mission, the petition is denied.

DP05005

Engine compartment firesOpened March 22, 2005, closed August 2, 2006

Ea05-005 is closed with ford?s actions in recalls 05v‑017, 05v‑388, and 06v‑286, recalling approximately 6.7 million vehicles equipped with texas instruments speed control deactivation switches (scds).the brake systems in these recalled vehicles generate a vacuum that can potentially cause the scds to fail and, in certain switch installation orientations, catch fire.ford is also including the entire population of 1998 explorers.ford has informed odi that testing to determine the cause of failures in the 1998 explorers will continue after this investigation is closed.odi believes that the vehicles exhibiting the factors causing scds failure described in this report correlate well with the observed failure rates on these vehicles by model and model year.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist in the non-recalled vehicles manufactured with scds that are not included in ford?s recalls.odi will continue to monitor the non-recalled population for incidence of engine compartment fires.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see attached closing report for details.

EA05005

Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Ford F-250 213

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

Apr 21, 2016 Service bulletinFor 1997-2003 F-150, 2004 F-150 Heritage, 1997-1999 F-250 Light Duty, or 2002-2003 Blackwood vehicles...
Apr 21, 2016 Service bulletinSafety recall 11S21
Sep 9, 2014 Service bulletinFord/lincoln: safety recall regarding high corrosion areas for operating, for an extended time, vehicles...
Aug 11, 2014 Service bulletinFord/lincoln: safety recall issued due to one or both fuel tank straps fracturing due to being in high...
Oct 1, 2007 Service bulletinSome 1997-2008 vehicles equipped with a 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, or 6.8L 2V engine--spark plug thread repair...
Mar 7, 2005 Service bulletinIntermittent rough idle - non-commanded EGR (exhaust gas recirculation valve) flow
Dec 13, 2004 Service bulletinGeneral (PCM) power train control module programming procedures
Nov 1, 2004 Service bulletinGeneral power train control module (PCM) programming procedures
Sep 1, 2004 Service bulletinCustomer maintenance reminder - literature program 04L19 - tie rod inspection procedure
Jan 1, 2004 Service bulletinOil leak at high pressure pump fittings and/or plug

See all 213 bulletins for the 1998 Ford F-250

1998 Ford F-250 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

Engine	Drive	City	Highway	Combined
4.6L 8‑cyl	RWD	13	17-18	15
4.6L 8‑cyl	4WD	12-13	16	14
5.4L 8‑cyl	RWD	10-12	14-16	11-13
5.4L 8‑cyl	4WD	11	15	13

What 1998 Ford F-250 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 5, 2018 · Wheels · 220,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford f-250. The contact took the vehicle to an independent tire store and the mechanic refused to mount the rear driver side tire because the rim was severely rusted. All of the other rims were in the same condition, including the spare that was not even mounted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 220,000. *tt

Filed Jan 18, 2018 · Tires · 149,050 miles · UT

Sailun is not a currently a valid choice as a tire brand name:, nor is tarramax h/t a valid choice as a tire line:, why I have submitted this report under the unknowncategory for both of these cell inputs. Purchased (4) new sailun, tarramax h/t, lt265/75r-16 tires (in january 2016). After approximately 13,000 miles of use, started experiencing an unusual vibration at highway speeds. After many hours of troubleshooting the vibration problem, it was finally revealed at another tire center (using a hunter road force test/balancing machine...at an extra cost) that 3 of the 4 tires were actually defective (red (75 lbs, 73 lbs and 43 lbs) condition, replace tire) and the 4th tire usable (yellow (15 lbs) condition, slightly out of round, but are still usable...for how long, is anyone guess). Road force testing revealed that the internal belts had separated and are the cause for the out of round tire condition. This is why the vibration has gotten significantly worst over the past month...more belt separation with each use. According to the tire expert technician at discount tires, "the tires are egg shaped rather than round like a doughnut and this condition is what is causing the vibrations even though the tires are showing balanced on other balancing machines at other shops. Other buyers have complained on-line about this same problem, but I suspect they have not officially reported these problems to the federal safety agency. Tbcbrands customer service is claiming that there has never been any reported problems and that if there were any issues, the federal safety agency would have reports of this. Tires were imported by tbcbrands or tbc corporation and a primarily sold by les schwab tire stores. Driver's rear; dot 535tle50 1615, made in china (defective, 73 lbs) passenger's rear; dot 535tle50 1815, made in china (defective, 43 lbs) drive's front; dot yj5tlev2 2815, made in vietnam (yellow, currently at 15 lbs) passenger's front; dot 535tle50 1615, made in china (defective, 75 lbs)

Filed Jan 18, 2018 · Tires · 149,050 miles · UT

Filed Feb 20, 2012 · Fuel system · 104,786 miles · VA

Ford f-250 4x4 ford recall 11s21(the federal safety agency 11v385) fuel tank strap corrosion inspection and replacement was conducted. The fuel tank was also found to be rusted under the strap area only. After the old straps were removed the tank started to leak fuel and ford nor the dealer would replace the tank. If the straps are covered for corrosion then the tank should be also due to the corrosion transferring to the tank surface. The dealer placed new straps over a rusted tank. The truck will need over $1200.00 in repairs for safe operation and to remedy the now leaking fuel.

Filed Aug 1, 2011 · Engine · 153,169 miles · MI · fire

The evening of july 26th, 2011 approximately 10:00pm est, an engine fire occurred in our 1998 ford f-250 truck (ext cab, triton v-8 engine, lariat ed). The f-250 had been parked in a remote parking area on the interior area of the mason county fair grounds. Due to county fair activities during that day, the truck had not been started for over 10 hours when this fire occurred. The local fire department was called and extinguished the fire. It totaled the engine, buckled the hood, blistered the paint, etc. Luckily there was no property damage, nor was there any bodily injury. We had purchased the truck in april of 2010. This truck was in pristine (eat off the engine) condition. Since we have owned it, it had regular oil changes (mobil-1 synthetic only). Aside from that, and other normal maitenance, there had been no modifications to the vehicle, which had stock eqpt when we purchased it. No-off roading, my son babied this truck. He did not even like going to his girlfriend's home with it, because she lived on a dirt road. He is more than just left without a vehicle, he is heartbroken, to say the least. I have checked that there was a police report. 911 was called, but ultimately it is the fire department that made the report. I notified ford on july 27th, 2011. On july 30th, 2011 I received a letter from maria aguilera, product claims legal analyst, ford's office of general council in dearborn, mi. We are working to gather information required by her at this time.

Filed May 9, 2011 · Fuel system · 201,992 miles · IL

1998 ford f-250 (early build) with 201,992 miles, had the gas tank strap rust and break resulting in the gas tank dropping to the pavement. The forward (front) gas tank strap failed and the gas tank fell to the pavement causing the release of approximately 22 gallons of fuel. The resulting spill required a cleanup by the local fire department. The spill cleanup resulted in a $453 charge by the fire department. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop at a cost of $112. The fuel tank and straps required replacement at a cost of $978.00. Total cost of event $1,500.

Filed May 9, 2011 · Body, Fuel system · 102,000 miles · IL

On april 9th 2011 my fuel tank straps broke while driving at 45 MPH. The truck was pulled to the side of the road and the tank was hanging by the fuel lines and tank neck. The truck is a ford f-250 light with a 24 1/2 gallon fuel tank, that has 102000 miles. I replaced both straps at a cost of $34.00. I painted the new straps to prevent future problems.

Filed May 9, 2011 · Fuel system · 99,068 miles · NY

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.

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Questions about the 1998 Ford F-250

Is the 1998 Ford F-250 reliable?

Owners have filed 56 complaints about the 1998 Ford F-250, fewer than a typical F-250 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1998 Ford F-250?

Suspension, with 14 complaints. Next is brakes (11).

How many recalls does the 1998 Ford F-250 have?

6 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline, vehicle speed control and equipment.

What year does the Ford F-250 have bad suspension?

The Ford F-250 model years with the most suspension complaints are 2012 (125 complaints), 2011 (111 complaints) and 2006 (85 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1998 Ford F-250 get?

Official estimates for the 1998 Ford F-250 range from 11 to 15 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.6L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 13 city and 17-18 highway.

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1998 Ford F-250 problems