1998 Ford F-250: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 76 complaints
76
Total Complaints
114,500mi
Median Mileage
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Top Issue
2
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
97,950
25th Percentile
114,500
Median Mileage
149,050
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
7
Torsion Bar
6
Tires
4
Frame And Members
4
Gasoline
4
Fuel System, Gasoline
4
Front
3
Door
3
Glass, Side/Rear
3
Engine
3
Severity Assessment
2
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"HAVE HAD 4 FAILURES IN THE REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM. FIRST TIME, THE TRACTION BARS WERE MAKING A HORRIBLE METAL-METAL CREAKING/GRINDING NOISE; TRACTION BARS WERE REPLACED. SECOND TIME THE ENTIRE BRACKET BOLTED TO THE FRAME CAME LOOSE, SLIDING AND BANGING AROUND ON THE FRAME; TRACTIONS BARS, TRACTION B..."
"HAVE HAD 4 FAILURES IN THE REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM. FIRST TIME, THE TRACTION BARS WERE MAKING A HORRIBLE METAL-METAL CREAKING/GRINDING NOISE; TRACTION BARS WERE REPLACED. SECOND TIME THE ENTIRE BRACKET BOLTED TO THE FRAME CAME LOOSE, SLIDING AND BANGING AROUND ON THE FRAME; TRACTIONS BARS, TRACTION B..."
"HAVE HAD 4 FAILURES IN THE REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM. FIRST TIME, THE TRACTION BARS WERE MAKING A HORRIBLE METAL-METAL CREAKING/GRINDING NOISE; TRACTION BARS WERE REPLACED. SECOND TIME THE ENTIRE BRACKET BOLTED TO THE FRAME CAME LOOSE, SLIDING AND BANGING AROUND ON THE FRAME; TRACTIONS BARS, TRACTION B..."
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.
Tires
4 complaints
25th: 149,050 mi
Median: 149,050 mi
75th: 149,050 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
IL: 12
CA: 8
FL: 7
UT: 5
CO: 4
OH: 4
MO: 3
NJ: 3
MA: 3
AZ: 2
Who Files Complaints?
52.6%
Original Owners
47.4%
Second+ Owners
Ford F-250 — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (9)
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
Vehicle Speed Control
Campaign 06V286000 | 01/08/2006
OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)
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
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.
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
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.
Extend Your Brake Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Replace brake pads before they wear to the metal — rotors cost 3x more
- Flush brake fluid every 2-3 years regardless of mileage
- Don't ride the brakes downhill — use engine braking
- Address any grinding, pulsing, or pulling immediately
- Have brakes inspected during every tire rotation
Vehicle Rankings
Looking for a replacement?
Based on the data above, here are relevant options.
Affiliate link
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