1998 Ford F-150 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 96about this part
- Share
- 7%of 1,381 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 83,963miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 96 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Ford F-150, 7% of the 1,381 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 83,963 miles. 10 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. It requires that I slow down to about 5 MPH before it stops. This immediate need to slow down if dangerous if someone is following me (especially a large truck.)”
NHTSA complaint #11010752, filed 2017-07, 133,000 miles“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...”
NHTSA complaint #10563107, filed 2014-02, 76,000 miles“I was traveling 30 MPH when the tie rod of my 1998 f150 came apart.all of a sudden I had no steering period. There was no indication this was bad ,no bad tire wear, no shaking ,nothing. Between the towing ,replacing the part & an unneeded alignment iam out 200$ which is cheap cosidering what could of happened.”
NHTSA complaint #10124841, filed 2005-06, 88,105 miles“Tie rod on passenger side of 1998 f150 xlt fell off truck while driving. Luckily, I was traveling at a low speed. Glad that I had not reached the interstate and traveling 65 MPH. Hate to see what would have happened to my children, who are 6 and 8, that were in the truck. Or any innocent weekend travelers.”
NHTSA complaint #10064216, filed 2004-03, 86,000 miles“During normal street driving, the left outer tie rod end popped off. It caused the tire to veer left and shattered the left rim. Ford refused to do anything to the vehicle,as it was out of warranty. I replaced both inner and outer ends on the left and right, out of fear of failure at a later time or worse, a failure at highway speed. After discussion with Ford, they wouldn't admit this was a problem ( abnormally rapid wear!) and refused to compensate me for the parts and time.”
NHTSA complaint #10088416, filed 2004-08, 79,503 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 8% |
| 2025 | 3 | 3% |
| 2024 | 4 | 2% |
| 2023 | 17 | 4% |
| 2022 | 10 | 2% |
| 2021 | 43 | 4% |
| 2020 | 10 | 1% |
| 2019 | 22 | 2% |
| 2018 | 83 | 4% |
| 2017 | 59 | 4% |
| 2016 | 64 | 3% |
| 2015 | 84 | 5% |
| 2014 | 160 | 10% |
| 2013 | 216 | 7% |
| 2012 | 204 | 11% |
| 2011 | 419 | 19% |
| 2010 | 48 | 6% |
| 2009 | 29 | 9% |
| 2008 | 53 | 14% |
| 2007 | 29 | 6% |
| 2006 | 55 | 9% |
| 2005 | 34 | 3% |
| 2004 | 75 | 4% |
| 2003 | 15 | 4% |
| 2002 | 25 | 3% |
| 2001 | 33 | 3% |
| 2000 | 68 | 6% |
| 1999 | 50 | 5% |
| 1998 | 96 | 7% |
| 1997 | 202 | 7% |
| 1996 | 20 | 6% |
| 1995 | 25 | 4% |
| 1994 | 20 | 3% |
| 1993 | 9 | 2% |
| 1992 | 5 | 1% |
| 1991 | 7 | 2% |
| 1990 | 7 | 3% |
| 1989 | 8 | 4% |
| 1988 | 3 | 2% |
| 1987 | 2 | 2% |
| 1986 | 3 | 5% |
| 1985 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 1998 Ford F-150
201 complaintsEngine cooling
174 complaintsTires
152 complaintsBody and structure
138 complaintsSuspension
132 complaintsVehicle speed control
116 complaintsBrakes
114 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 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