Most common 1998 Ford Pickup problems
Share of the 7 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford Pickup complaints by model year
Best Pickup years: 1998, 2000. Years to avoid: 1997. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1998 Ford Pickup:
Propane vehicle conversion
The second-stage vehicle manufacturer, during the conversion process, installs the propane fuel tank on the left-outboard side of the vehicle cargo bed in an exposed position.this location appears to be contrary to the nfpa #152 guidelines and Ford's body builder layout book - alternative fuels guidelines.in a side-swipe type of collision, between one of the subject conversions and a 1988 internation truck, the…
1998 Ford Pickup engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 19 / 24 / 21 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 23 / 20 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 4.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 19 / 16 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 18 / 16 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 14 / 18 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Ford Pickup a good car?
Based on 7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Pickup rates better than average: 42% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Pickup at the same age. It is one of the best Pickup years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Ford Pickup?
The transmission & drivetrain — 2 complaints, 29% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission. Next are the suspension (2) and fuel & propulsion system (2).
How many recalls does the 1998 Ford Pickup have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1998 Ford Pickup. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford Pickup?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1998 and 2000. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1997. See the full Ford Pickup years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Ford Pickup problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 101,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.