Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Ford F-150 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I have multiple issues that hit all around same time. Body rusted and water leaks getting the bcm wet which causes the truck to go haywire, lights flashing, doors locking and unlocking, radio stays on, caused multiple things to stop working, fuel tank leaks when filling it up where the fuel tank fill hose rusted into the tank, causing multiple vacuum leaks and horrible running conditions and truck dies if not holding clutch, gas and brake at light. Rear trailer wiring plug when it's connected causes multiple lights to stay on even though vehicle not running and everything off. Also melted all wires on 2 trailers causing shorted out lights, replaced clutch 2 times since purchase on 3rd clutch and mechanics not sure why even after showing them I am properly using the clutch system, not pulling heavy loads, or driving it like a race truck. …
1998 Ford F150 S/N [VIN] Mechanic said the frame is rusting badly. Suggested I not pull a heavy trailer or haul heavy loads in the bed.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Ford f150. The starter would engage and seem to restart itself as if she were turning the ignition. She stated that there was a loud noise when the failure occurred. The dome lights inside would turn on and off without warning. The four wheel drive warning light would illuminate on the instrument control panel. The radio compartment also made a loud clicking sound. When she turned the vehicle off, the heater would still run without the key in the ignition. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility, but the mechanic could not determine the cause of the failures. A service representative at the dealership stated that water entered through the firewall. He speculated that this could be the cause for the failure (according to similar vehicles he repaired). …
7/14/2011 - my mechanic replaced rotting gas tank straps 10/3/2011 - Ford dealer (after receiving recall notice on gas tank straps) applied reinforcement straps on gas tank straps. No indication given to me that these were not secured onto frame. 10/12/2011 - brought my truck into my mechanic for oil change. He noticed that the gas tank straps and reinforcement straps were not connected onto the frame on drivers side rear. 10/12/2011 - brought truck back to Ford dealer to fix the safety recall that last week they had applied. I mean, it is hard to believe that a week later, and the straps failed. Was told that they only install the gas tank straps and that's it. Whether they are connected to frame or not that is rusting is not their concern and is not covered by the recall. This is preposterous. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Ford f-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked when he noticed that one of the fuel tank straps was fractured due to corrosion. The two remaining fuel tank straps were experiencing corrosion as well, but were not fractured. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and was repaired under the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 11V385000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting). The contact expressed concern because only the fractured strap was replaced under the recall. The contact was informed that according to the recall, they were only obligated to replace the fractured strap. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they would only replaced the strap which fractured. The contact also stated that the rear leaf springs fractured and pierced through the truck bed due to corrosion. …
My mechanic told me that his father's 1999 or 2000 f-150 was rusting on the frame and was about to rust in two, a screwdriver could be stuck through the metal. This was discovered when the straps holding the gas tank rusted and the gas tank was almost touching the ground. So I asked him to look at the frame of my 1998 f-150, and he discovered the same problem. The main crossmember of the frame is almost rusted in two. The straps holding the gas tank are severely rusted. One of the bed crossmembers is already in two, and two others show severe rusting. My mechanic has told me that if the crossmember breaks, I could lose control of the vehicle. If I were driving in heavy traffic, this could pose a serious threat. The body of my truck is in good shape. If you did not know of the frame problems, you would not know to check these out. …
Tl. The contact owns a 1998 Ford f-150. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH the contact heard a loud bang and then the sound of something dragging. The contact pulled over and notice the fuel tank feel off from the brackets and causing fuel to leak. This occurred due to rust accumulating on the brackets. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local mechanic. The mechanic replaced the brackets and the fuel tank. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the fuel tank and the manufacturer stated there are no reports of the fuel tank falling off the vehicle and since the vehicle has high mileage there is nothing they can do. The contact stated this is a serious safety issue that could have started a fire. The failure mileage was 166,000. Jo
What isn't wrong with this truck? With less than 80,000 miles on it...spare tire fell off while being driven, interior lights randomly stay on, both doors are rusting out from the bottom, knob to regulate temperature fell off and assembly needed replacement, front brakes calipers stuck and caught on fire, exhaust system has rusted off twice, transmission went up and was replaced under warranty at less than 20,000 miles, radiator rusted through, and the headliner is falling down off the ceiling. I've probably missed something but can tell you that I will never own another Ford.
I purchased a 1998 Ford f-150 in 2000 from carmax in arlington, tx. I have had no major problems until nov. 7th 2008. I was driving and approached a traffic signal. I attempted to depress my brakes when the vehicle locked up and spun sideways at the intersection. When I exited the vehicle I found that my driverside rear differential had broken lose and the rear differential clamp had broken off allowing the entire driverside differential to fly off of the vehicle. % minutes earlier I was on the freeway. If this would of happened on the freeway, I would not be here today.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Ford f-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 11V385000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting). The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle could not be repaired because the frame was severely corroded. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 189,700.
NHTSA investigations
Spare tire wear
Spare tire mounting
The national highway traffic safety administration was petitioned to commence a defect investigation of the subject vehicles by a letter signed by william f. Allard and dated 15-feb-98.the petition alleges that the spare tire mounting places the tire sidewall directly in contact with the metal undercarriage causing wear and damage of the sidewall.the petition further alleges that when the damaged tire is used,…
Body complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 1998 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 138 complaints about the body & structure of the 1998 Ford F-150, 10% of the model year's 1,381 complaints. The component named most often is body › door (110 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford F-150 body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 1998 Ford F-150, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Ford F-150 body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.