1998 Ford F Series Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 35%of 20 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 113,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1998 Ford F Series, 35% of the 20 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 113,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Spark plug blew out of the head with such force that it cracked the coil and was sparking on the fuel line with fuel vapors coming out of the head at the same time. This could have caused a fire/explosion if the vehicle could not have been shut off quickly enough. I was idle in my driveway and not on the highway where it would have taken longer to shut the vehicle off. Internet research returned astonishing amount of complaints for the same issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10440314, filed 2011-12, 193,442 miles“I was towing an ultra light camping trailer with the cruise control engaged when I smelled what appeared to be an electrical fire then the engine immediately failed . I replaced the entire engine at a cost of $ 4000.00 and have had at least 10 more instances where the cruise control stopped working on the interstate.”
NHTSA complaint #10135748, filed 2005-09, 84,664 miles“I own a 1998 Ford f150 xlt truck. I maintain my truck as required (oil, etc). On oct. 25,2003 when going to turn the truck on I heard a loud noise in the engine and the truck seem to stall. I looked under the truck and noticed a hole on the right side of the oil pan panel and oil came out. Once I got it to talk to my mechanic he informed me that he knew of the 'notorius' or 'infamous' reputation the (4.2l Ford engines) have. …”
NHTSA complaint #10045046, filed 2003-10, 90,378 miles“I have a 1998 Ford pickup with a 5.4l engine and just today as I was driving it the spark plug blew out. As soon as I heard the popping sound I immediately shut the truck down. I opened the hood and there was the plug dangling there. I was able to install the plug back on but got 3 turns on it and it was tight. No way should a spark plug only have a few turns on it and no way should a plug fly out of an engine that is spewing gasoline and the plug still sparking. If there is a class action lawsuit against this company sign me up. Never again will I buy a Ford product. …”
NHTSA complaint #10260559, filed 2009-03, 113,000 miles“I currently have a 1998 Ford f150 4.2l engine that has 65000 miles and am experiencing head gasket failure. Ford moco stats there is no tsp's or recalls reguarding this. I pulled the owners notification 98b33 off your web site. My engine build date is nov 1997 at the essex plant. I am in the army and am stationed in germany. The dealership here quoted me 2500.00 for the estimate. At this time they will not honor the u.s. Esp purchased from the original dealer. I am currently trying to get this resolved. …”
NHTSA complaint #10000247, filed 2002-12, 65,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10029029Dec 29, 2008Jerr-dan: anti stall feature for ford f series light duty chassis with v10 gas engine and an engine drive clutch pump. Model years unknown.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 3 | 33% |
| 2004 | 2 | 29% |
| 2002 | 10 | 29% |
| 2001 | 12 | 27% |
| 2000 | 10 | 24% |
| 1999 | 12 | 33% |
| 1998 | 7 | 35% |
| 1997 | 21 | 45% |
| 1996 | 2 | 13% |
| 1995 | 2 | 13% |
| 1993 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1998 Ford F Series
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsInterior lighting
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Ford F Series
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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