1998 Ford F-250 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

77 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 1998 Ford F-250, alongside 1 recall campaign and 3 defect investigations. It scores 4/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Brakes & stability leads the reports.

One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 1998 Ford F-250 has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.

77Complaints
4/100Trouble index
1Recalls

Better year

Where 1998 sits among all F-250 years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Brakes & stability 14 complaints (18%)
Suspension 14 complaints (18%)
Body & structure 9 complaints (12%)
Engine 9 complaints (12%)
Fuel system 6 complaints (8%)
Wheels & tires 5 complaints (6%)

Recalls (1)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 07V553000 2007

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 7.3L DIESEL ENGINES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR LOCATED ON THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE MAY FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SENSOR AND REPLACE IT WITH AN IMPROVED CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Federal defect investigations

ENGINE STALLING EA06012 opened 2006, closed 2007

Led to recall campaign 07V553000.

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD DP05005 opened 2005, closed 2006
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES EA05005 opened 2005, closed 2006

Led to recall campaign 05V388000.

Technical service bulletins

217 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on transmission & drivetrain and engine — are on file for the 1998 Ford F-250. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 1998 F-250 TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

1998peak 19 in 20012018

Questions buyers ask

Is the 1998 Ford F-250 reliable?

The 1998 Ford F-250 drew 77 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 4/100, scored against the model's worst year (2019).

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

The top reported problems for the 1998 Ford F-250 are brakes & stability (14 complaints), suspension (14), and body & structure (9).

Does the 1998 Ford F-250 have recalls?

1 recall campaign applies to the 1998 Ford F-250. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.

← 1997 F-250 All F-250 years 1999 F-250 →
Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.