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1998 Ford F-250: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 1998 Ford F-250, most recently filed July 2011. Owners have filed 56 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the suspension.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 6campaigns 2 vehicle speed control · 1 fuel system · 1 equipment Source: NHTSA Complaints 56filed Owner reports, 1994–2003 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Fuel economy 15mpg combined $4,354/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 4.6 L 8-cyl· 4-speed automatic 7 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
Compare

Recalls (6)

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 1998 Ford F-250. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1998 Ford F-250. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 11V385000 Filed Jul 29, 2011

FUEL TANK STRAP CORROSION

Fuel system, gasoline · storage · tank assembly · mounting
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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 REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ROAD DEICING CHEMICALS MAY CAUSE SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WHICH SECURE THE TANK TO THE VEHICLE.
Consequence
AS A RESULT OF THE CORROSION, ONE OR BOTH STRAPS MAY FAIL ALLOWING THE FUEL LINES TO SEPARATE FROM THE TANK, OR IN SOME CASES, CAUSING THE TANK TO CONTACT THE GROUND. EITHER SCENARIO MAY RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK PRESENTING A FIRE HAZARD.
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. EARLY IN THIS CAMPAIGN, IF REPLACEMENT STRAPS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, DEALERS MAY INSTALL A CABLE SUPPORT UNDER THE STRAP AS AN INTERIM REPAIR OR A STEEL REINFORCEMENT OVER THE EXISTING STRAP AS A PERMANENT REPAIR. ANY REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332. FORD'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 11S21
Repair progress not yet reported1,100,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 11V385000
Listed for 1998 Ford F-250. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 06V286000 Filed Aug 1, 2006

SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH/SUPPLEMENT

Vehicle speed control
Official NHTSA text
Summary
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
Consequence
OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)
Repair progress not yet reported1,200,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 06V286000
Listed for 1998 Ford F-250. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 05V388000 Filed Sep 7, 2005

SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH

Vehicle speed control
Official NHTSA text
Summary
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Consequence
A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
BY LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 12, 2005, OWNERS WERE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AND ADVISED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO RECONNECT THE SPEED CONTROL BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS WHO DID NOT HAVE THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED TO HAVE THEIR SYSTEM REMEDIED BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS ARE URGED TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE FREE DISCONNECT SERVICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT RISK OF FIRE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 06V286)
Repair progress not yet reported4,500,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 05V388000
Listed for 1998 Ford F-250. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 00V284000 Filed Sep 21, 2000

FORD/FMVSS 303/LABEL

Equipment · other · labels
Official NHTSA text
Summary
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BI-FUEL CNG PICKUP TRUCKS AND BI-FUEL CNG VANS, MODIFIED BY CFI CONTROL SYSTEMS, INC., FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 303, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY OF COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS VEHICLES." THE LABEL AFFIXED TO THE FUEL FILLER DOOR BY THE VEHICLE MODIFIER CONTAINS THE INSPECTION DATE AND EXPIRATION DATE OF THE CNG TANK. HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT CONTAIN THE STATEMENT "SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE FUEL CONTAINER FOR INSPECTION AND SERVICE LIFE."
Consequence
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS.
Remedy
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED A LABEL WITH THE REQUIRED STATEMENT, ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR AFFIXING THE LABEL AT THE FUEL FILLER DOOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 2, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Repair progress not yet reported4,500 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 00V284000
Listed for 1998 Ford F-250. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 98V095000 Filed May 13, 1998

FORD/LUG NUTS

Wheels · lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Official NHTSA text
Summary
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES AND LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THE LUG NUTS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT CREATE SUFFICIENT CLAMP LOAD ALLOWING WHEEL MOVEMENT IN RELATION TO THE HUB/ROTOR MOUNTING SURFACE.
Consequence
THIS CAN RESULT IN THE LOOSENING OF LUG NUTS, STUD FATIGUE FAILURE, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A WHEEL SEPARATION FROM THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES WILL BE RECEIVING TWO NOTIFICATIONS. THE FIRST NOTIFICATION, WHICH BEGAN IN MAY 1998, WILL PROVIDE AN INTERIM REPAIR PROCEDURE UNTIL PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE. THIS INTERIM PROCEDURE CAN BE COMPLETED BY OWNERS OR THEIR DEALERS. IT SPECIFIES THAT THE LUG NUT TORQUE MUST BE VERIFIED TO BE 100 LBS. THEN THE LUG NUTS NEED TO BE TIGHTENED AN ADDITIONAL 1/8 TO 1/4 TURN MORE. THERE WILL BE A SECOND OWNER NOTIFICATION, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN JULY 20, 1998, UNDER WHICH DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WHEEL STUDS AND REPLACE THE WHEEL LUG NUTS.
Repair progress not yet reported1,520,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 98V095000
Listed for 1998 Ford F-250. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 97V171000 Filed Oct 7, 1997

FORD/AUTO TRANSMISSION CABLE ASSEMBLY

Power train · automatic transmission · gear position indication (prndl)
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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. THE VEHICLE OPERATOR WOULD THEN NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION FROM ONE OF THE DRIVE GEAR POSITIONS INTO THE PARK POSITION EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR WOULD INDICATE "PARK."
Consequence
THE CONDITION WOULD NOT ALLOW A DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE PARK POSITION OR AFFECT PROPER NEUTRAL START SWITCH OPERATION. UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR IF THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT SET.
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.
Repair progress not yet reported866,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 97V171000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which F-250 years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Ford F-250All model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (56)

56 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The suspension is mentioned most often.

2involved a crash
1involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Ford F-250, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 56.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1998 compares with other F-250 years

Best and worst F-250 years →
123 184 176 304 56 581 326 220 156 116
1994199519961997199819992000200120022003
This year (1998)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 15 mpg combined

15
mpg combined
13
city
18
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$4,450
CO₂ tailpipe
593 g/mi
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks

What it costs you to run

$4,354per year
$363per month
1,000gallons a year

Miles ÷ 15 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

1998 Ford F-250 configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
4.6 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive13 / 18 / 15$4,450593
4.6 L 8-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive13 / 17 / 15$4,450593
4.6 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive12 / 16 / 14$4,800635
4.6 L 8-cyl · 5-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive13 / 16 / 14$4,800635
5.4 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive12 / 16 / 13$5,150684
5.4 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive11 / 15 / 13$5,150684
5.4 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive10 / 14 / 11$4,200639

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1998 F-250 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All F-250 years

Where to next

Which F-250 years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →1999 Ford F-250 report581 complaints · 14 campaigns →1997 Ford F-250 report304 complaints · 10 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

1998 Ford F-250 FAQ

How many recalls does the 1998 Ford F-250 have?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns: 11V385000 (fuel system), 06V286000 (vehicle speed control), 05V388000 (vehicle speed control), 00V284000 (equipment), 98V095000 (wheel), 97V171000 (power train). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1998 Ford F-250 problems?

Owners filed 56 complaints with NHTSA. Suspension (14), Service brakes (11), Structure (9) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1998 Ford F-250 get?

EPA rates the 4.6 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 13 city, 18 highway and 15 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1998 F-250 compare with other years?

Among the 1994–2003 Ford F-250 model years at least five years old, the 1998 drew the fewest complaints (56) and the 1999 the most (581). The 1998 drew 56. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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