Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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. …
My driver's side seat belt does not work at all for the past 6-8 months its been stuck and locked and it doesn't release the belt at all so I been driving without a seat belt for awhile now it needs to be repaired and as for the other issues unknown like bank-1 & bank-2 not working properly also evap-leaks and sensors not working
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Ford f-150. While driving at approximately 70 MPH, there was a clunking noise coming from under the front driver side door. Also, the contact noticed that the fuel gauge reading dropped to empty in approximately forty five seconds. The contact stopped the vehicle and noticed that the road they had been traveling was on fire. The contact then discovered that the fuel tank had detached from the vehicle and both straps were missing from the fuel tank. The contact was unaware of the conditions of the straps and stated that approximately fifteen gallons of fuel spilled out of a hole in the fuel tank. The vehicle was towed to an an independent mechanic. The mechanic stated the fuel tank and the both straps needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Ford f150. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact heard a metallic bang from under the vehicle. The contact noticed through the passenger side mirror that there were sparks coming from under the vehicle. The contact stopped the vehicle and once he exited, he noticed a trail of fuel on the ground and a hole in the fuel tank where fuel was leaking. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technicians stated that the fuel tank and the attaching straps would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. There was an open investigation under NHTSA action number ea11006 (fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:mounting fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting) for the failure but the investigation was still ongoing. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Ford f-150. The contact was driving approximately 25 MPH when a loud noise was heard from outside the vehicle. After pulling over he noticed that the fuel tank was fractured and detached from the vehicle. Approximately nine gallons of gasoline was spilled and caused a minor fire, but the fire was quickly extinguished. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where they advised the contact that the fuel tank fractured due to the corrosion of both fuel straps. The fuel tank, straps and other unknown components were repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 11V385000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting). The manufacturer was contacted to seek reimbursement and a claim was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 151,181.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Ford f-150. While driving approximately 30 MPH the contact depressed the brake pedal. The brakes did not respond and the contact crashed into a vehicle. A report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop where the mechanic stated the brake line was rusted. One of the fuel tank straps were covered with rust and the other strap was broken. The brake lines were replaced. The fuel tank straps were not repaired because the part was not available and had to be ordered. There was a NHTSA recall campaign number: 11V385000 ( fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting) that May be related to the failure. The contact was unaware if the VIN was included in the recall. The VIN was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
On Sunday October 24,2010 at 7:15 am on my way to church , heard something dragging under truck. Stopped to find fuel tank hanging from under truck both straps had rusted and broken. Dragging fuel tank caused hole in tank which was leaking into road. Local fire and police were dispatched luckily no one was hurt. Local haz-mat company was also call to clean up fuel spill. Updated 08/01/11 the consumer stated while driving, he heard something dragging from car. When he looked in the rear view mirror, he saw a fire trail behind the vehicle. He stopped the vehicle, got out and looked under the vehicle. He saw the fuel tank had dropped and the front portion was contacting the ground, with a hold in the front corner of the tank. The fire had extinguished by this time. Updated 08/22/11
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Ford f-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the fuel tank detached from the vehicle and caused sparks when it fell onto the ground. The contact noticed that both fuel tank straps were corroded, and approximately 10 gallons of fuel leaked out from a hole in the fuel tank. The vehicle was towed home and was not repaired. There was an investigation under NHTSA action number: ea11006 (fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:mounting fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting) that May be related to the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000. The VIN was not available.
I was filling my fuel tank and another customer pointed out there appeared to be something dripping from my truck. I found that as I filled there was a steady stream coming down what appears to be the framework holding up the fuel tank and dripping to the ground a couple of feet forward of the filling point. As the tank filled it appeared to also drip directly under the filling point. I did find there was a recall for the fuel strap which I was never notified of even though I have had this truck registered in ohio for about 18 years and thus registered in the rust belt states. We did not notice any dripping at our home, only on filling the tank.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Ford f-150. The contact stated that the fuel tank straps fractured without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the straps fractured due to corrosion and punctured a hole on the fuel tank, which resulted in a fuel leak. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, who offered to replaced the straps free of charge, but refused to replace the fuel tank under NHTSA campaign number: 11V385000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 170,000.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Mounting
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…
Remedy: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Vehicle description: light duty 4-wheel drive pickup trucks. If the vehicle is overloaded, the rear leaf springs can be overstressed. A fatigue fracture of the spring can occur. The center leaf of the spring can fracture at the forward edge of the spring seat and, in some cases, contact the fuel tank.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear springs and install an additional clip on the forward end of the rear springs to prevent fuel tank contact in the event of a leaf fracture. Any fractured springs will be replaced.
NHTSA investigations
Fuel Tank Strap Corrosion/Rust
One or both of the steel straps holding up the fuel tank and attaching it to the truck frame can corrode and break.If one strap breaks, the tank may tilt and drop and possibly contact the road surface.If both straps break, the entire tank may drop to the road.If either failure occurs while the vehicle is being driven, contact with the road can abrade the tank and create a hole from which gasoline can spill.When the…
Fuel Tank Strap Failure Due to Corrosion
One or both of the steel straps holding up the fuel tank and attaching it to the truck frame can corrode and fail (break or separate).If one strap fails, the tank may tilt and drop and possibly contact the road surface.If both straps break, the entire tank may drop to the road.If either failure occurs while the vehicle is being driven, contact with the road can abrade the tank and create a hole from which gasoline…
Fuel System complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1998 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 201 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1998 Ford F-150, 15% of the model year's 1,381 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly › mounting (29 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford F-150 fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-385 (mounting, Jul 29, 2011); NHTSA recall 98V-161 (tank assembly, Jul 15, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Ford F-150 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 140,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 7 fires and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion 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.