Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
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.
Vehicle experiences a violent shaking in the steering and front suspension called "the death wobble". Occurs as speeds between 40 and 70 MPH. Occurs if road is somewhat bumpy. Occurs often and could result in loss of control. It requires that I slow down to about 5 MPH before it stops. This immediate need to slow down if dangerous if someone is following me (especially a large truck.)
Report receipt date: jul 15, 1998 NHTSA campaign number: 98V161000 component(s): fuel system, gasoline , suspension my rear suspension is bad - has this been taken care of on my vehicle? Gem module is having trouble. I have been reading this part has caused a lot of trouble for this Ford model.
1998 f-150 5.4l triton I've owned this truck for 2 yrs. And put 30,000 miles on it. Currently at 124,000. Other than maintenance (not including spark plugs) have changed both cv shafts and bearings in the front. Feb. 3, 08 without any warning or precursor it blew a spark plug from the head stripping the threads. It occurred very quickly while coasting down hill at 55 MPH. Not hardly working the engine. I knew what it was immediately, I had been with a friend when his 2000 f 150 4.6l blew a spark plug for the second time in 6 months. This action almost stalled my truck out being at low RPM to begin with it rattled violently. I was afraid my 10 yr old brother and I would have to walk for help. Not fun in ny in feb. A passerby came to our aid. I had the truck towed home by a friend. Still trying to find a suitable and affordable repair. …
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. …
Failure was immediate, Ford f150 fuel tank straps. While driving down the road apparently the tank straps gave way and the fuel tank dropped. Before coming to a stop and after catching some uneven pavement, fuel tank was pealed open and losing about 8 gallons gas. Fire dept was called and they cleaned up spill. Both straps broke and fuel tank is un-repairable. Updated 08/05/11 the consumer stated he experienced other problems with the vehicle, such as a leaking power steering gear box, brake lines had to be replaced, there was a leak in the 4-wheel drive gear box, the muffler hangers, ball joints, tie rod ends and shocks all had to be replaced. Updated 08/11/1
Tl contact owns a 1998 Ford f-150. The contact smelled burning rubber coming from his vehicle. The smell was then replaced by a rattling sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the rear leaf spring fractured on the passenger side. He jacked the vehicle up, repositioned the spring, tied it down with wire, and drove the vehicle home. He remembered a recall he had seen and called the manufacturer, who informed him that his VIN was not included in the recall. The recall number was unknown. The failure mileage was 145,000 and current mileage was 153,000.
The consumer stated that while she was driving the rear end of the vehicle burst into flames. There was no prior warning that something was wrong. A gentleman followed her and told her that there were flames shooting out of the back of her vehicle. The consumer indicated that the vehicle drove perfectly, with no sign of trouble. The fire dept was called and the fire was put out. The consumer was taking her husband, who is confined to a wheelchair, on an errand. She believes if it were not for the kind gentleman who helped her, that her husband could have burned to death.
Left tie rod on my 1998 Ford f150 broke while driving. I bought truck new in 1999. Mileage on truck was 29900. Had truck towed to dealer, they informed me that right tie rod needed to be replaced too along with the lower ball joints and idler arm. I was on the highway just 20 minutes before. I was lucky. Service manager told me he has needed to replace them after 15000. From the factory there are no grease fitting for lubrication. Also none on replacements. Please call or e-mail with any questions, thank you.
Passenger side torsion bar broke while parked in parking garage. Don't know what would happen if occured at normal driving speeds. Scary drive home as truck was laying down on right front severly. Took to garage this morning. Five minutes later, woman comes in and says she has a broken torsion bar. You guessed it, another 1998 Ford f150 4x4. Looked at hers, was on drivers side, similar shaped failure as mine, said hers was just parked in driveway when failed. I am afraid to let wife drive my truck now.
NHTSA investigations
Rear suspension spring breakage
In July 1998, Ford submitted a part 573 notification to NHTSA concerning broken rear springs on certain 1997-98 Ford f150 trucks, with four-wheel drive.Ford stated that fatigue fracture of the rear springs May occur if the spring are over stresses(sic) by vehicle overloading.the broken piece of the spring leaf May splay inward, damaging the fuel tank and causing fuel leakage.Ford also stated that a broken spring…
Suspension complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1998 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 132 complaints about the suspension of the 1998 Ford F-150, 10% of the model year's 1,381 complaints. The component named most often is front › springs › torsion bar (64 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford F-150 suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 124,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury to suspension 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.