1998 Ford F-150: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 1624 complaints
1624
Total Complaints
112,337mi
Median Mileage
Fuel System, Gasoline
Top Issue
96
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
80,000
25th Percentile
112,337
Median Mileage
150,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Fuel System, Gasoline
141
Door
110
Tires
82
Torsion Bar
64
Engine
60
Tie Rod Assembly
60
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
58
Tread/Belt
54
Vehicle Speed Control
53
Engine And Engine Cooling
51
Severity Assessment
96
Crashes
107
Fires
61
Injuries
1
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"CONSUMER EXPERIENCED HIGH ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING. THROTTLE CABLE GOT HOOKED ON SOMETHING, CAUSING GAS PEDAL TO STAY OPEN, CAUSING OUTER CONTROL SPEED. DEALER NOTIFED. *AK"
"TRANSMISSION AND THE AXEL BROKE DOWN. THE ROD THAT CONNECTS THE AXEL TO THE TRANSMISSION FELL OFF. THE DEALER PRESENTLY HAS THE TRUCK. *AK"
"WHILE DRIVNG VEHICLE AT 63-68 MPH THERE IS VIBRATION IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALER STATED NEW VEHICLES WITH TRYTON ENGINE HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK"
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Fuel System, Gasoline
141 complaints
25th: 113,468 mi
Median: 140,000 mi
75th: 169,236 mi
Door
110 complaints
25th: 42,000 mi
Median: 60,340 mi
75th: 85,250 mi
Tires
82 complaints
25th: 96,543 mi
Median: 118,888 mi
75th: 122,000 mi
Torsion Bar
64 complaints
25th: 54,836 mi
Median: 64,499 mi
75th: 84,555 mi
Engine
60 complaints
25th: 71,129 mi
Median: 92,438 mi
75th: 112,500 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
CA: 157
MI: 124
OH: 121
TX: 100
FL: 97
PA: 80
NY: 76
IL: 57
NC: 55
GA: 51
Who Files Complaints?
39.4%
Original Owners
60.6%
Second+ Owners
Ford F-150 — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 25 | 0 |
| 1991 | 357 | 12 |
| 1992 | 553 | 25 |
| 1993 | 753 | 32 |
| 1994 | 908 | 79 |
| 1995 | 788 | 61 |
| 1996 | 383 | 22 |
| 1997 | 3285 | 205 |
| 1999 | 1322 | 116 |
| 2000 | 1269 | 102 |
| 2001 | 1451 | 113 |
| 2002 | 963 | 63 |
| 2003 | 520 | 57 |
| 2004 | 2429 | 99 |
| 2005 | 1363 | 66 |
| 2006 | 735 | 72 |
| 2007 | 623 | 51 |
| 2008 | 455 | 48 |
| 2009 | 397 | 34 |
| 2010 | 1131 | 33 |
| 2011 | 2938 | 70 |
| 2012 | 2422 | 57 |
| 2013 | 3849 | 102 |
| 2014 | 1859 | 56 |
| 2015 | 2036 | 64 |
| 2016 | 2373 | 67 |
| 2017 | 1595 | 47 |
| 2018 | 2627 | 104 |
| 2019 | 1532 | 30 |
| 2020 | 797 | 30 |
| 2021 | 1138 | 19 |
| 2022 | 702 | 29 |
| 2023 | 494 | 25 |
| 2024 | 195 | 25 |
| 2025 | 112 | 7 |
Active Recalls (18)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Mounting
Campaign 11V385000 | 29/07/2011
AS A RESULT OF THE CORROSION, ONE OR BOTH STRAPS MAY FAIL ALLOWING THE FUEL LINES TO SEPARATE FROM THE TANK, OR IN SOME CASES, CAUSING THE TANK TO CONTACT THE GROUND. EITHER SCENARIO MAY RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK PRESENTING A FIRE HAZARD.
FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND INSTRUCT THEM TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A FORD OR LINCOLN DEALER TO HAVE THE FUEL TANK STRAPS REPLACED WITH STRAPS THAT HAVE INCREASED CORROSION PROTECTION. EARLY IN THIS CAMPAIGN, IF REPLACEMENT STRAPS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, DEALERS MAY INSTALL A CABLE SUPPORT UNDER THE STR
Headlights
Campaign 08E050000 | 11/08/2008
WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 06E060000 | 29/06/2006
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH
AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.
Headlights
Campaign 06E067000 | 01/08/2006
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT 909-822-3288.
Vehicle Speed Control
Campaign 05V388000 | 07/09/2005
A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR.
BY LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 12, 2005, OWNERS WERE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AND ADVISED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 09E012000 | 07/04/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Headlights
Campaign 09E025000 | 11/05/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 00V168000 | 19/06/2000
THE LIGHT GIVEN OFF FROM THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS IS BRIGHTER THAN ALLOWED BY U.S. STANDARDS.
DEALERS WILL BE ADVISED TO DEACTIVATE THE RUNNING LIGHT FUNCTION AND TO COMPLETE ANY OUTSTANDING SAFETY RECALLS ON THESE VEHICLES.
Headlights
Campaign 06E023000 | 13/03/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 06E064000 | 17/07/2006
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
Electrical
Campaign 07E066000 | 28/08/2007
IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.
ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
Headlights
Campaign 06E052000 | 12/06/2006
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABRY LEE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER FULL CREDIT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLAMP. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON JUNE 14, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABRY LEE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE AT 1-866-467-2279.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 06E065000 | 17/07/2006
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
Labels
Campaign 00V284000 | 21/09/2000
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS.
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED A LABEL WITH THE REQUIRED STATEMENT, ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR AFFIXING THE LABEL AT THE FUEL FILLER DOOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 2, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY W
Leaf Spring Assembly
Campaign 98V161000 | 15/07/1998
FUEL TANK CONTACT CAN DAMAGE THE TANK AND RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR SPRINGS AND INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL CLIP ON THE FORWARD END OF THE REAR SPRINGS TO PREVENT FUEL TANK CONTACT IN THE EVENT OF A LEAF FRACTURE. ANY FRACTURED SPRINGS WILL BE REPLACED.
Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Campaign 98V095000 | 13/05/1998
THIS CAN RESULT IN THE LOOSENING OF LUG NUTS, STUD FATIGUE FAILURE, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A WHEEL SEPARATION FROM THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES WILL BE RECEIVING TWO NOTIFICATIONS. THE FIRST NOTIFICATION, WHICH BEGAN IN MAY 1998, WILL PROVIDE AN INTERIM REPAIR PROCEDURE UNTIL PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE. THIS INTERIM PROCEDURE CAN BE COMPLETED BY OWNERS OR THEIR DEALERS. IT SPECIFIES THAT THE LUG NUT TORQUE MUST BE VE
Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
Campaign 97V171000 | 07/10/1997
THE CONDITION WOULD NOT ALLOW A DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE PARK POSITION OR AFFECT PROPER NEUTRAL START SWITCH OPERATION. UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR IF THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT SET.
DEALERS WILL MAKE THE PROPER ATTACHMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL CABLE TO THE STEERING COLUMN BRACKET AND ADD A TIE STRAP TO THAT CONNECTION.
Accelerator Pedal
Campaign 98V007000 | 21/01/1998
INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORTS OR SOME INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE COULD RESULT.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED PCV SYSTEM ON THESE VEHICLES.
General Vehicle Maintenance
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule in your owner's manual
- Don't ignore warning lights — early diagnosis prevents expensive repairs
- Keep records of all maintenance and repairs
- Use OEM or equivalent-quality parts for repairs
- Address unusual noises, vibrations, or smells promptly
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28