Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Ford f-150. After parking the vehicle in the driveway, the vehicle rolled backwards out the driveway and into the street. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the shift cable assembly was faulty and the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 97V171000 (power train). The failure mileage was 270,000. Updated 5/18/15 the dealer installed a new shifter cable. Updated 05/29/15
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Ford f-150. The contact stated that a 7 year old child entered the vehicle and was able to shift gears without starting the engine. As a consequence, the vehicle rolled onto the roadway and crashed into another vehicle. The child sustained moderate injuries to the ankle. The vehicle has not been inspected to determine the cause of the failure. The current and failure mileages were 111,403.
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. …
I bought used vehicle from the bo's autorama on 6/2004 and used it once or twice in the first year. I started to use it regularly in April 2005. First I had to replace the spark plugs/wires because of water getting into them, and causing a miss in the engine on 4/2005. Then I had them sealed on 9/2005, then, replaced on 12/2005 , and the problem to this day, has never been fixed, but I spent over $900 trying. The transmission and rear differential has had to be replaced 3 times on 5/2005, 6/2005, and 7/2005. The muffler was replaced in 8/2005, the battery died in 10/2005, the front brakes went out in 11/2005. So less than 14,000 miles from purchase I had spent over $5ooo in repairs, and still could not drive it. I took the truck to bo's beuckman Ford and will never deal with them again. They over charged me for lousy work. …
My 1998 Ford f-150 fits the summary of the NHTSA campaign id # 97V171000. My truck is currently in with the dealer for another reason, including the speed control recall. However, they will not fix the gear position indicator because they state it is not a Ford recall, regardless of what the NHTSA site indicates as a (recall date of 10/07/97) because Ford has to make a recall notice. My indicator is off by one (it says I'm in 'r' when rally in 'p' and so forth). 'I understand not doing a mass recall for this, but when a vehicle is in for a mandatory recall of the speed control catching fire, one would think they would repair a vehicle that is experiencing another known defect as indicated in NHTSA campaign 97V171000. Also, it is in for damage related to the fuel tank, and even though they are replacing the fuels tank and many other items attached to it (I.e. …
The 1998 Ford f150 pick up truck 4.2 liter v6 engine threw a rod during startup one morning. The engine had 70,000 easy miles on it. No towing, racing or hard driving. I had the engine replaced at a cost of $4200.00 with a jasper engine at mr. Engine because Ford would not help at all unless I paid them $7500.00 for a new Ford engine. I had already replaced two automatic transmissions in this same vehicle. The first time it cost me $2200.00 at 50,000 miles to rebuild the original, and the second time $1800.00 to replace the original with a remanufactured jennings transmission at 160,000. From all I have heard Ford knew about the engine gasket defect and still has done nothing about it. I have all documentation ,and believe this needed to be remedied by Ford. We are talking about thousands of 4.2 liter 1997 through 1999 engine failures. …
The differential has disintegrated inside. This was caused by a bearing which came apart and caused everything inside to shift about an inch towards the drivers side. How dangerous is that? Ultimately, the housing, ring gears and other gears inside were damaged beyond repair. It started with a slight hum at 45 MPH and within two weeks completely broke so that the driveline turns within the housing while the wheels stay put. I use my truck only for street transportation and have taken impeccable care of it. The truck has 102,000 miles on it. Only two months ago, I had the fluid changed everywhere including the rear end. I have put a rebuilt rear end resulting in $2600 out of my pocket. Thanks mr. Ford for that!
I have a 1998 f150 I bought new. I have been a Ford person for many years but will not buy another Ford until the problems with the motor and transmissions are corrected. At 72,000 miles I had to replace the transmission. ($2,200), at 92,000 miles check engine light came on, idling was rough but drove fine. Took it to the mechanic he said tune-up would correct it. $400 later, still check engine light and idle rough. It just stopped and wouldn't start back up. I'm having to replace the block ect.. Having to continue to pay a nice vehicle payment each month and insurance and still not having a vehicle to drive is ridiculous. Very disappointed with Ford!! Kl.
The prn12 shift lever has been slowly loosening over a period of 6 months, and has resulted in not being able to start the vehicle in park. Also, when shifting into park, the shifter will not engage, and will allow the vehicle to roll forward or backward. No accidents have been caused as a result of the excess play in the shifter. I checked the internet for possible causes and found many threads explaining the cause as two star bolts that have either loosened, or completely fallen out in some cases. I have tightened the bolts myself, but I believe this is a situation that the dealers should address.
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.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL)
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. If the automatic transmission shift cable assembly was not fully attached to the steering column bracket, the shift cable assembly can come out of the bracket.
Remedy: Dealers will make the proper attachment of the transmission shift control cable to the steering column bracket and add a tie strap to that connection.
Transmission complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1998 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 83 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1998 Ford F-150, 6% of the model year's 1,381 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (36 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford F-150 transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 97V-171 (gear position indication (prndl), Oct 7, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Ford F-150 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.