1998 Ford F-150 Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Engine
  60
• Engine › Gasoline
  40
• Cooling system
  11
• Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
  10
• Exhaust system
  4
• Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
  2

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  22%
• 25k–50k
  87%
• 50k–75k
  1614%
• 75k–100k
  3530%
• 100k–150k
  4237%
• 150k+
  1210%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Ford F-150 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle caught fire and burned. The vehicle was parked for 2 hours prior to the fire. The fire department stated in a written report the fire started in the engine compartment in the driver's side. Extensive property damage was sustained to the contact's house and personal property inside the vehicle. The insurance company investigated and deemed the vehicle a total loss. Additionally, a private fire investigator was hired to investigate the incident and came to the same conclusion as the insurance company. The contact received a recall NHTSA #05V388000 concerning the cruise control switch prior to the fire. Several dealerships were contacted to perform the recall remedy. The dealer's asked the contact not bring the vehicle in for service until the end of February when recall parts would be available. …

On Monday dec 19 2005 while driving with my wife and granddaughter, an explosion occurred under the hood of my 1998 Ford f150 VIN: [redacted]. Smoke came out the hood and through the air vents into the cab. The Ford dealer said the plastic plenum in the intake manifold cracked allowing raw gasoline to enter where it should not have and exploded. They replaced the manifold assembly with the new style aluminum manifold and plenum. This cost almost $1,100.00. I have since found that Ford settled a lawsuit 12/16/2005 in which the plastic plenums cracked. But this only covers a small number of Ford cars and not trucks. The dealer service mgr told me that Ford has developed a new aluminum plenum that replaces the old plastic one and I should have no more trouble. …

04/17/2010 at approximately 4:00 am our Ford f-150 xlt was parked and turned off in our driveway of a single dwelling home. We and neighbors heard multiple explosions that shook our house. The entire front end of the truck was already engulfed in flames shooting up 12+ feet. Fire department was called and responded immediately. When the fire was out the entire front half of the truck was gone, burnt into the fiberglass topper, blew out all but two back windows and melted all wiring back to the rear shell window. The only thing that remains is the back half of the truck and back tires.

I have a 1998 Ford f-150 v6 4.2 liter with 92435 original miles. I woke up this morning and started my truck up and there was a loud knocking coming from the motor. My anti-freeze was low. I now have the same problem as earlier posts of a bent rod and need a new motor. I believe Ford motor company should have had this motor recalled and properly fix the problem. Glad they have the job because I am about to losing mine. Walking 6 miles to work today.

I left my 1998 Ford f150 pick-up truck in parking lot at work while I was away on business. I left on Monday July 30. I was called Tuesday night around 9:00 pm and notified that my vehicle had caught on fire. Fire dept. Put out fire. Fire report suspected equipment failure in engine compartment causing electrical short and subsequent fire. Fire was put out, but vehicle was total loss and towed from property.

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Ford f-150. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle lost power and the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the passenger side cylinder head needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.

Tl contact owns a 1998 Ford f-150. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire while parked after being driven for 20 minutes. The contact called the fire department, but was able to extinguish the fire himself. The insurance company stated that the vehicle was a total loss and was towed. The current and failure mileages were 17,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Ford f-150. The contact stated that the engine caught on fire while the vehicle was parked and turned off. There were no injuries. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but the vehicle was not repaired. The exact cause of the fire was not determined. The failure and the current mileage was 188,000.

Started vehicle, then could smell an odor, about 30 seconds later it smelled like a belt burning. After opening the hood and seeing a fire on the distributor cap where the 4 wires plug in. I s/o engine and put out fire with extinguisher.

My 1998 Ford f-150 only had 79,000 miles on it and was well-maintained. On 8/10-07, the coolant level light came on when I arrived home. I checked the coolant level immediately and there was no coolant in the reservoir. I filled the reservoir and planned to take the truck in to the mechanic when he was open during the week. I only drove the car about 20 miles that weekend and I monitored the coolant level and temperature. Everything was fine. That Monday morning, loud knocking came from the engine and white smoke came out of the tail pipe. The truck was towed to my mechanic who informed me that I've thrown a rod and need a new engine. I have seen numerous complaints on the internet with the same exact symptoms for this year, make and model of truck. …

NHTSA investigations

Engine complaints in other F-150 years