Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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. …
Tl* the contact owned a 1998 Ford f-150. The contact was not notified by the manufacturer that NHTSA campaign number: 05V017000 (vehicle speed control) was issued on January 27, 2005. The speed control function failed to properly shut off pertaining to the speed control deactivation switch and the contact was unaware that the vehicle could overheat, smoke, or burn because of the failure. While the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, it caught fire. The fire department extinguished the fire and filed a report. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was notified and provided a case number. The dealer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 225,000. . Consumer stated when engaging speed control, the engine would missfire so bad, that I would cut the speed control off before the engine would stall. …
My 1998 Ford f-150 started acting up when the cruise control buttons were set on. The car would hesitate and not want to pull. Once we got home we turned the vehicle off and did not think anything more about it. The following day we went for a drive and noticed what we thought was steam coming from underneath the hood. I pulled the vehicle over and lifted the hood to inspect it. When I lifted the hood I was engulfed in flash flames. I immediately dropped to the ground to put out the flames. When my friend helped me off the ground the truck was on fire under the hood. We immediately called for medical assistance and was transported to hospital via life star helicopter. I suffered 1st and 2nd degree burns on my face and forearms and hands. I suffered 3rd degree burns on my right arm and had to have surgery to remove the dead tissue and then had to have skin grafts to fix my arm. …
I lost the cruise control feature and was troubleshooting the problem when the brake switch (cruise control) caught fire on my 1998 f150 truck in my driveway. The brake switch (cruise control) located on the master cylinder caught fire because the switch leaked brake fluid. The fire damaged the master cylinder and I had to replace the brake switch and the wiring harness. I purchased the brake switch from the local dealer and a wiring harness to correct the problem. I used the Ford brake switch and harness and obvously May need to replace it in the future. I contacted the local dealer (team Ford in humble, tx) and advised them of the fire. They said they never encountered such a problem. I asked them to contact the Ford local rep and never received a return call. I eventually discarded the parts but have evidence of the fire. …
I owned and operated a 1998 Ford f150. There was a recall of the cruise control switch in September, 2005 as the faulty switch has been linked to fires in f150 trucks. In October of last year, I took my truck to a dealer so they could perform the modification to fix the problem, which they did complete. It appears Ford's fix is not working. My vehicle caught on fire 6/15/06 after I had driven it to work. It appears as though the fire has destroyed the vehicle. I request that one of your experts come out and inspect my truck. It is clear from the information I have gathered that it was an electrical fire. I think it is important for you to know if the Ford's recall and solution to this problem is actually working or not.
Shock upper mount simply fell off causing driver side rear shock to drag ground. After further inspection also noticed at the location of the rusted out mount location that the rear wiring for the tail light were severed causing truck to now be stuck in park. Also while inspecting noticed rear frame is simply falling apart and other areas throughout the frame are weak as well. This is a huge safety concern after doing research I am finding many accounts of the same issue online but no manufacture recalls. Why isn't Ford doing anything about this issue? I've never seen frames do this. Truck needs full frame replacement.
Our truck, a 1998 Ford f150, lost use of the cruise control back in April of 2011. We bought it used in 2008 and since we did not use it much anyway, we did not think much of it. Then in late June we started the truck and could not get the gear shifter to move. When trying to pull it into drive, reverse, or anything, it would not move. My husband came home from work the next morning and changed a fuse and it worked for weeks. Then I drove the vehicle for aprox. 45 minutes one afternoon, came home shut it off went inside my house, hear a loud pop, looked out the door and the truck was on fire.
My truck caught on fire. It had not been driven for about 24 hours before the incident. I went out to get something out of my truck and everything was normal. Thirty minutes later we heard a horn blaring outside. When my wife looked out the window, she yelled that our truck was on fire. The fire dept got here within 5 mins by then the hood had melted, the battery had exploded, the windshield blew in and one tire had exploded. The fire appeared to have started on the driver's side of the engine compartment. Somewhere near the fuse box. The fire dept could not determine the exact cause.
Pulled my 1998 f150 4x4 xlt supercrew into my driveway, turned everything off and exited the vehicle and entered my house. Three hours later, I went to gain entry to my truck and when I opened the door, smoke billowed out. It melted my instrument panel from just above steering wheel to the drivers door. A wiring harness was on fire and burnt clear to driver side rug. All the coating was burnt off the harness and was in flames. I burnt my fingers trying to get it out. There were sparks coming from it. I then disconnected the battery terminals and got the fire under control.
1998 Ford f150 [redacted] extended cab, 4.2l v6 caught fire. Fire started approximate 45 minutes after being driven home. The vehicle was off and unattended when the fire started. Approximately 2 to 3 months prior the cruise stopped working and I began to have intermittent blowing of fuse #13. Fire marshall will document the fire on 4/22/05. Starting point of the fire is unknown.
NHTSA investigations
Engine compartment fires
Ea05-005 is closed with Ford?s actions in recalls 05v-017, 05v-388, and 06v-286, recalling approximately 6.7 million vehicles equipped with texas instruments speed control deactivation switches (scds).the brake systems in these recalled vehicles generate a vacuum that can potentially cause the scds to fail and, in certain switch installation orientations, catch fire.Ford is also including the entire population of…
Electrical complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1998 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 87 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Ford F-150, 6% of the model year's 1,381 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › front underhood (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford F-150 electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 120,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 39 fires and 4 injuries to electrical system 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.