1998 Ford F-250 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe brakes that lock up, shudder or fail to stop as expected. Fuel tank straps that rust and break, front torsion bars that snap, spark plugs that blow out of the cylinder head, and highway vibration are also common themes. Mileage is missing from most complaints, and where it is given, the reported problems range from about 9,000 to about 200,000 miles.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Brake lock-up, shudder or ABS faults

   • 9 complaints (16%)
   • median 9,000 mi at 5.7 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1998–2003

   Owners describe brakes that lock up, shudder or pulsate, and in some complaints the ABS did not work properly during a sudden stop. Some describe pads, rotors or drums replaced several times, and some say the dealer could not find the cause or that warranty coverage had expired. Conditions named include sudden stops at about 30 to 40 mph, wet roads and bumpy surfaces, and where mileage is given it is about 9,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask for records of brake repairs, including rotor, drum and caliper work, and whether the ABS warning has been checked. On a test drive, make firm stops from moderate speed on a safe road to check for pulsing, pulling, shuddering or wheel lock-up.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving at any speed and applying the brakes, the right rear brake will lock up, causing vehicle to slide. Also drums got very hot. The consumer has had problems with the vehicle 7 to 8 times, and the vehicle has been in the shop four times for the same problem. Since the last time that it has been repaired, problem has not reoccurred.”

   NHTSA complaint #833166, filed 1999-01

   “Brakes shudder or wobble. Multiple repairs done but problem persists. We were given a loaner truck (same model and make) which turned out to have same problem! Dealer has replaced all brake parts multiple times , turned drums multiple times, and replac”

   NHTSA complaint #709657, filed 1999-08
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Fuel tank straps rust and break

   • 5 complaints (9%)
   • median 104,786 mi at 13.1 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2012

   Owners describe fuel tank straps that rusted and broke, with the tank dropping toward the pavement and fuel spilling in some complaints. Some complaints describe a dealer placing new straps over a rusted tank, and a leak that followed, with a repair estimate for tank replacement. Where mileage is given, these complaints range from about 99,000 to about 202,000 miles, and rust is described in most of them.

   Recall 11V3850004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether recall 11V385000 (service action 11S21) was completed, and check the VIN against the recall lookup. Look under the truck for rust at the fuel tank straps and tank mounting, and ask for records of any strap or tank work and how it was done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10399672, filed 2011-05, 102,000 miles

   “I recently read that NHTSA was investigating Ford f 150 from 1997 to 2001 for rusting gas tank straps that effected 1.4 million trucks. I have a Ford 1998 F-250 that had rusted gas tank straps. One strap let go and the tank moved out of position. I replaced it myself, but I don't know if it was done correctly or with the proper safety protection. Did Ford issue a recall on this? Will they inspect the vehicle to see if it was done correctly? Is there a cost to the owner for any of this? …”

   NHTSA complaint #10355761, filed 2010-09, 116,000 miles
3. 3
   Suspension

   Front torsion bars breaking

   • 5 complaints (9%)
   • median 55,000 mi at 7.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2005

   Owners describe a front torsion bar snapping while starting, while parked, or while driving, and some describe the front end dropping or leaning. Some complaints describe both front bars breaking at once or the same bar breaking twice in one year, and some suspect cold weather stress or overly hardened bars. Mileage is given in few of these complaints, and where it is, it is about 55,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether both front torsion bars were inspected or replaced, and whether any bar was replaced more than once. Check that the front ride height is level from side to side, and look for a lean or drop at the front.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Breakage occurred either while stationary or doing slow speed - not sure when. Vehicle was leaning to right when I returned to it 20 minutes after driving it. Feel free to call for more information. I see on the web that these torsion bars have been breaking quite frequently on f150s too!”

   NHTSA complaint #703028, filed 1999-02

   “Broken front torsion bar. Started motor, shifted from park to reverse, and without moving from the spot, heard a loud crack and the torsion bar had snapped. My garage was told by their parts supplier that, until this past month, they never had a request for this part before. This is now the second request in the past month. Kept the broken bar after replacement.”

   NHTSA complaint #10116154, filed 2005-03, 55,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Spark plugs blowing out of the cylinder head

   • 5 complaints (9%)
   • median 78,166 mi at 9.0 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2001–2010

   Owners describe a spark plug blowing out of the cylinder head while the engine starts or runs, sometimes while driving at highway speed. Some complaints say the plug threads were stripped, the coil was damaged, or the engine needed to be rebored, and some say a cylinder head was replaced. Some complaints say the dealer described the first blowout as not a problem, and that the plug blew out again later. Where mileage is given, these complaints range from about 36,000 to about 190,000 miles, and several describe a second blowout after an earlier one.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether any spark plug thread repair or cylinder head work was done, and request the repair records, including the procedure used. Check for misfire codes and listen for unusual noises during a cold start on a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Steering gear box. It has become disengaged at the pitman arm. And leaking fluid. I have found that the 97 and 99 versions of this truck have had problems and recalls for this. I was told a while back ( about 1 year ago) by a car dealership owner that this truck is actually a 99 I would like to add my vehicle year to this list. I have also had problems with the spark plugs popping out which is also a problem with the triton engines.”

   NHTSA complaint #10245531, filed 2008-10, 190,000 miles

   “While starting my Ford truck with the 5.4 l engine I heard a very loud pop and the engine ran as if the head gasket blew. A non-Ford mechanic verified the no. 3 spark plug on the passenger side blew out and stripped the threads from the cylinder head insert that this Ford dealer inserted to repair an earlier blown spark plug. The old insert for the previous failure was removed and replaced with a new type according to the Ford mechanic. This is the second time for this to happen. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10082335, filed 2004-07, 35,890 miles
5. 5
   Tires

   Highway vibration or shaking, often from tires

   • 7 complaints (13%)
   • median 149,050 mi at 20.1 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1998–2018

   Several reports share nearly identical wording and describe a highway vibration that began after about 13,000 miles of use, which a tire center checked with a road force balancing test. Another complaint describes front-end shaking above 50 mph despite new tires, balancing and an alignment done more than once, with the tires wearing unevenly. Where mileage is given, the reports list about 149,050 miles, and the vibration in the near-identical reports began after about 13,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether the wheels and tires were balanced and checked after any highway vibration, and look for uneven tire wear. Take a highway test drive to see whether the steering wheel or seat shakes above about 50 mph.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11063503, filed 2018-01, 149,050 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11063497, filed 2018-01, 149,050 miles

Buying note. Before buying, check the fuel tank straps, ask whether recall 11V385000 was completed, and have the brakes, torsion bars and front end inspected. Ask for service records of brake, spark plug and vibration repairs, since several complaints describe repeated repairs for the same symptom.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 44 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.