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Electrical systemPart report

1998 Ford F-150 Electrical system Problems

Complaints
87about this part
Share
6%of 1,381 total for the year
Median mileage
120,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 87 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Ford F-150, 6% of the 1,381 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 120,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 39 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Report receipt date: jul 15, 1998 NHTSA campaign number: 98v161000 component(s): fuel system, gasoline , suspension my rear suspension is bad - has this been taken care of on my vehicle? Gem module is having trouble. I have been reading this part has caused a lot of trouble for this Ford model.”

NHTSA complaint #10864573, filed 2016-05, 160,000 miles

“I was driving down the road when I heard a big explosion from under my hood. I poped the hood and found that my #2 coil was blown out of the cylinder. After getting my 98 f150 home I found that the plug was blown out of the cylinder. I have not gotten the problem fixed as of yet but Ford says the only way to fix is a new head.”

NHTSA complaint #10081273, filed 2004-07, 101,000 miles

“This is the third time the horn and speed control have gone out on this truck and I feel it needs to be recalled I am tired of replacing the same parts in 2 years.”

NHTSA complaint #10493106, filed 2013-01, 140,440 miles

“The horn and cruise control do not work. According to many website postings the two are related. Evidently there is a so called spring clip in the steering column that needs replacing- cost is around 300.00. This is quite a common problem on the f-series pickups. I can put a fuse in and it will short when I use the horn.”

NHTSA complaint #10020937, filed 2003-06, 30,000 miles

“While under warranty, my Ford f150 blew the #2 sparkplug and cylinder head at 25,000 miles. It has happened again with the same cylinder head 60,000 miles later. The repairs will cost me $3000.00. Ford motor co. At this time is unwilling to cover the repairs. This seems to be a serious problem with the 1998 triton v-8 engines as I am seeing alot of the same complaints being filed.”

NHTSA complaint #10033031, filed 2003-08, 25,000 miles

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026217%
20252321%
20244021%
20238520%
202212621%
202113013%
20208912%
20191007%
20181727%
20171369%
20161919%
201517610%
201416311%
201332411%
201217310%
201123511%
201016620%
20094614%
2008298%
2007429%
20066010%
2005737%
2004995%
20034711%
200210613%
200113711%
200019118%
1999858%
1998876%
19971987%
19965617%
19956510%
19948813%
1993346%
19924810%
19915016%
19903713%
19895223%
19884935%
19873741%
19862236%
19851036%
1984747%
1983330%
1982120%

Other parts of the 1998 Ford F-150

Fuel system
201 complaintsEngine cooling
174 complaintsTires
152 complaintsBody and structure
138 complaintsSuspension
132 complaintsVehicle speed control
116 complaintsBrakes
114 complaintsSteering
96 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
83 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
66 complaintsWheels
44 complaintsAir bags
42 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1998 Ford F-150

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology