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Research · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD

1998 Ford F-150Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 18 safety recalls and 1,418 owner complaints for the 1998 Ford F-150. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (183) and fuel system, gasoline (181). The EPA rates it 13–16 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
13–16mpg
EPA · 10 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
18campaigns
Latest Jul 2011
Owner complaints
1,418
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$3,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

18 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system

Remedy pending

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2003 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150, 2004 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150 HERITAGE, 1997 THROUGH 1999 MODEL YEAR F-250 LESS THAN 8,500 LBS. GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR), AND 2002 AND 2003 LINCOLN BLACKWOOD VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 20, 1995, THROUGH AUGUST 4, 2004, ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ROAD DEICING CHEMICALS MAY CAUSE SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WHICH SECURE THE TANK TO THE VEHICLE.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jul 29, 2011NHTSA 11V385000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Exterior lightingReported May 11, 2009NHTSA 09E025000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 7, 2009NHTSA 09E012000
See all 18 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1,418 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 1997 – Dec 2023
  1. Engine and engine cooling183
  2. Fuel system, gasoline181
  3. Tires159
  4. Structure142
  5. Suspension132
  6. Vehicle speed control123
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic107
  8. Steering96
  9. Electrical system90

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each F-150 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996360
19972,855
19981,418
19991,121
20001,206
20011,340
2002955
2003464
20042,036
20051,121
2006589
2007492
2008369
2009324
2010851
20112,137
20121,717
20132,796
20141,362
20151,425
20161,798
20171,148
20181,929
20191,021
2020562
20211,042
2022605
2023419
2024195
2025119
20260
Crashes reported
84
Fires reported
98
Injuries reported
58
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

183 reports1 crash14 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED ANTI FREEZE INTO THE NUMBER TWO CYLINDER AS A RESULT THE ENGINE BLEW APART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 1, 2014Engine and engine cooling, EngineODI 10618224

Fuel system, gasoline

181 reports1 crash6 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS EXHIBITED FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LATER NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FUEL TANK STRAP WAS FRACTURED DUE TO RUST CORROSION. IN 2011, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 14, 2014Fuel system, gasolineODI 10588260

Tires

159 reports7 crashes
“TIRES STARTED TO SEPARATE AFTER ONLY A FEW HUNDRED MILES I DO NOT HAVE EXACT MILEAGE AT THIS TIME BUT CAN GET AN APPROXIMATE TIRES FAILED IN THE FIRST 1000 MILES THE BRAND IS FEDERAL ,:TYPE IS COURARGIA M/T SIZE IS LT285-75R17. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 13, 2014TiresODI 10564256
All 1998 F-150 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

10 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
4.2L 6-cyl · 4.6L 8-cyl · 5.4L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
F150 Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
151916$3,900555
F150 Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141815$4,150592
F150 Pickup 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141815$4,150592
F150 Pickup 2WD
Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
131715$4,150592
F150 Pickup 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141715$4,150592
F150 Pickup 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131715$4,150592
F150 Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
131714$4,450635
F150 Pickup 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121714$4,450635
F150 Pickup 4WD
Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131614$4,450635
F150 Pickup 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
111513$4,800684
  • F150 Pickup 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L
    15 city · 19 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L
    14 city · 17 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    12 city · 17 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    13 city · 16 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • F150 Pickup 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L
    11 city · 15 hwy · $4,800/yr
    13
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 Ford F-150 as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 3884
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1998 F-150 questions

How many recalls does the 1998 Ford F-150 have?

18 safety recalls as of Nov 7, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1998 Ford F-150 problems?

Owners filed 1,418 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (183), fuel system, gasoline (181), tires (159). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1998 Ford F-150 get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Ford F-150 at 13–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (10 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026