1998 Ford F-150 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 83about this part
- Share
- 6%of 1,381 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 83 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Ford F-150, 6% of the 1,381 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,000 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Service guide indicates transmission fluid change every 30,000 miles ( except e$od transmissions ) my transmission failed and almost caused me to wreck . Mechanic relates failure due to dirty transmission fluid . I have to replace e4od transmission .”
NHTSA complaint #10227462, filed 2008-05, 88,945 miles“I had a 1998 Ford f150 that exhibited the same problems that toyota's are now having. I was told there was a problem with the throttle cable. After having replaced the throttle cable, the problem still happened. It appeared the throttle would stick open. Truck would accelerate. The only way to stop it was to shift to neutral, turn of the engine and restart. I sold the truck last year. Thought it was just a problem with my truck but now that all this with toyota is coming out I thought I should report this.”
NHTSA complaint #10318525, filed 2010-03, 85,000 miles“My 1998 Ford F-150 fits the summary of the NHTSA campaign id # 97v171000. My truck is currently in with the dealer for another reason, including the speed control recall. However, they will not fix the gear position indicator because they state it is not a Ford recall, regardless of what the NHTSA site indicates as a (recall date of 10/07/97) because Ford has to make a recall notice. My indicator is off by one (it says I'm in 'r' when rally in 'p' and so forth). …”
NHTSA complaint #10200546, filed 2007-08, 95,000 miles“I bought used vehicle from the bo's autorama on 6/2004 and used it once or twice in the first year. I started to use it regularly in april 2005. First I had to replace the spark plugs/wires because of water getting into them, and causing a miss in the engine on 4/2005. Then I had them sealed on 9/2005, then, replaced on 12/2005 , and the problem to this day, has never been fixed, but I spent over $900 trying. The transmission and rear differential has had to be replaced 3 times on 5/2005, 6/2005, and 7/2005. …”
NHTSA complaint #10187594, filed 2007-04, 74,000 miles“1998 F-150 5.4l triton I've owned this truck for 2 yrs. And put 30,000 miles on it. Currently at 124,000. Other than maintenance (not including spark plugs) have changed both cv shafts and bearings in the front. Feb. 3, 08 without any warning or precursor it blew a spark plug from the head stripping the threads. It occurred very quickly while coasting down hill at 55 MPH. Not hardly working the engine. I knew what it was immediately, I had been with a friend when his 2000 f 150 4.6l blew a spark plug for the second time in 6 months. …”
NHTSA complaint #10216798, filed 2008-02, 124,320 milesRelated recalls
- 97V171000Oct 7, 1997Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. If the automatic transmission shift cable assembly was not fully attached…Covers: Ford F-150 1997–1998, Expedition 1997–1998, F-250 1997–1998 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 10017892Apr 1, 2005Rear axle noise repair.
- 10014659Mar 1, 2005Axle whine howl. This includes 1997-05 ford vehicles.
- 10014275Jan 1, 2005A driveline clunk or bump when starting from a stop.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10013369Nov 1, 2004General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 26 | 24% |
| 2024 | 58 | 30% |
| 2023 | 159 | 38% |
| 2022 | 162 | 27% |
| 2021 | 322 | 31% |
| 2020 | 360 | 49% |
| 2019 | 741 | 55% |
| 2018 | 1,019 | 44% |
| 2017 | 557 | 38% |
| 2016 | 615 | 29% |
| 2015 | 434 | 25% |
| 2014 | 426 | 28% |
| 2013 | 1,346 | 45% |
| 2012 | 682 | 38% |
| 2011 | 829 | 38% |
| 2010 | 121 | 14% |
| 2009 | 33 | 10% |
| 2008 | 50 | 14% |
| 2007 | 57 | 12% |
| 2006 | 46 | 8% |
| 2005 | 112 | 10% |
| 2004 | 232 | 11% |
| 2003 | 62 | 15% |
| 2002 | 53 | 6% |
| 2001 | 74 | 6% |
| 2000 | 47 | 4% |
| 1999 | 75 | 7% |
| 1998 | 83 | 6% |
| 1997 | 151 | 5% |
| 1996 | 26 | 8% |
| 1995 | 75 | 12% |
| 1994 | 56 | 8% |
| 1993 | 40 | 7% |
| 1992 | 28 | 6% |
| 1991 | 13 | 4% |
| 1990 | 13 | 5% |
| 1989 | 9 | 4% |
| 1988 | 8 | 6% |
| 1987 | 2 | 2% |
| 1986 | 2 | 3% |
| 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 complaintsSteering
96 complaintsElectrical system
87 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