1998 Ford F-150 Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 201about this part
- Share
- 15%of 1,381 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 140,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 201 complaints about the fuel system of the 1998 Ford F-150, 15% of the 1,381 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 140,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 7 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“As I was looking under my truck preparing to toe a vehicle, I noticed one of my fuel tank straps was completely rusted through and hanging loose. Basically my tank was being held by only one of the straps. I did this visual check after hearing about possible problems on a television news broadcast. A phone call to the dealer resulted in nothing.”
NHTSA complaint #10404014, filed 2011-06, 191,000 miles“As I was looking under my truck preparing to toe a vehicle, I noticed one of my fuel tank straps was completely rusted through and hanging loose. Basically my tank was being held by only one of the straps. I did this visual check after hearing about possible problems on a television news broadcast. A phone call to the dealer resulted in nothing.”
NHTSA complaint #10404862, filed 2011-06, 191,000 miles“Our 1998 Ford F-150's gas tank fell off the truck in our driveway. The local fire department was called and they advised us that the rear strap completely deteriorated. They were able to cut the front strap with minimal effort as it was deteriorated as well. We were very fortunate it did not fall when in the truck was in motion.”
NHTSA complaint #10400755, filed 2011-05, 122,584 miles“I was driving home from work on a residential street when the fuel tank fell out of my truck. I had to drive about 2 blocks to get out of the street. The tank was dragging on the street and by the time I was able to pull over it was leakin fuel. I lost about a half a tank on the ground. No fire ,no injuries. I was very lucky.”
NHTSA complaint #10400362, filed 2011-05, 200,000 miles“Straps on gas tank broke, dropped front of gas tank on road while we were driving. Front of gas tank had hole when we pulled over spilling out 3/4 tank of gas, which almost went into drain at gas station we pulled over at, gas station attendant contained spill for us. Tow truck driver said we were lucky we didn't have a fire from dragging tank. I have 7 photos documenting scene at gas station and tank.”
NHTSA complaint #10401770, filed 2011-05, 91,000 milesRelated recalls
- 11V385000Jul 29, 2011Ford 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…Covers: Ford F-150 1997–2004, F-250 1997–1999, Lincoln Blackwood 2002–2003
- 98V161000Jul 15, 1998Vehicle description: light duty 4-wheel drive pickup trucks. If the vehicle is overloaded, the rear leaf springs can be overstressed. A fatigue fracture of…Covers: Ford F-150 1997–1998
Related service bulletins
- 10205038Apr 21, 2016Safety recall 11S21 - Fuel tank strap fracture - requests for recall service action
- 10183774Apr 21, 2016For 1997-2003 F-150, 2004 F-150 Heritage, 1997-1999 F-250 Light Duty, or 2002-2003 Blackwood vehicles Safety Recall 11S21 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high…
- 10058101Sep 9, 2014Ford/lincoln: safety recall regarding high corrosion areas for operating, for an extended time, vehicles where both or one strap of fuel tank can fracture, after contacting…
- 10056624Aug 11, 2014Ford/lincoln: safety recall issued due to one or both fuel tank straps fracturing due to being in high corrosion areas for an extended period and dislodging fuel tank. Model…
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 4% |
| 2024 | 6 | 3% |
| 2023 | 10 | 2% |
| 2022 | 92 | 15% |
| 2021 | 94 | 9% |
| 2020 | 14 | 2% |
| 2019 | 24 | 2% |
| 2018 | 64 | 3% |
| 2017 | 28 | 2% |
| 2016 | 95 | 5% |
| 2015 | 81 | 5% |
| 2014 | 72 | 5% |
| 2013 | 159 | 5% |
| 2012 | 119 | 7% |
| 2011 | 117 | 5% |
| 2010 | 58 | 7% |
| 2009 | 22 | 7% |
| 2008 | 27 | 7% |
| 2007 | 54 | 11% |
| 2006 | 59 | 10% |
| 2005 | 82 | 7% |
| 2004 | 74 | 4% |
| 2003 | 46 | 11% |
| 2002 | 86 | 10% |
| 2001 | 132 | 11% |
| 2000 | 152 | 14% |
| 1999 | 132 | 13% |
| 1998 | 201 | 15% |
| 1997 | 246 | 9% |
| 1996 | 53 | 16% |
| 1995 | 65 | 10% |
| 1994 | 113 | 17% |
| 1993 | 288 | 49% |
| 1992 | 245 | 52% |
| 1991 | 154 | 51% |
| 1990 | 146 | 53% |
| 1989 | 95 | 42% |
| 1988 | 28 | 20% |
| 1987 | 23 | 25% |
| 1986 | 10 | 16% |
| 1985 | 1 | 4% |
| 1984 | 1 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1998 Ford F-150
174 complaintsTires
152 complaintsBody and structure
138 complaintsSuspension
132 complaintsVehicle speed control
116 complaintsBrakes
114 complaintsSteering
96 complaintsElectrical system
87 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 31, 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