RoadVitals

1998 Ford F-150 Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
201
Latest Jun 4, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
15%
of 1,381 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
8
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1998 Ford F-150 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 201 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming fuel system

The 25 most recent of 201, in the owner's own words

Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Jun 4, 2023

Unknown

NHTSA ID
11525253
Incident
Jun 4, 2023
Fuel systemSeat belts
Filed Jan 23, 2023

My driver's side seat belt does not work at all for the past 6-8 months its been stuck and locked and it doesn't release the belt at all so I been driving without a seat belt for awhile now it needs to be repaired and as for the other issues unknown like bank-1 & bank-2 not working properly also evap-leaks and sensors not working

NHTSA ID
11503088
Incident
Jan 22, 2021
Body & structureElectricalFuel system
Filed Dec 19, 2021

I have multiple issues that hit all around same time. Body rusted and water leaks getting the bcm wet which causes the truck to go haywire, lights flashing, doors locking and unlocking, radio stays on, caused multiple things to stop working, fuel tank leaks when filling it up where the fuel tank fill hose rusted into the tank, causing multiple vacuum leaks and horrible running conditions and truck dies if not holding clutch, gas and brake at light. Rear trailer wiring plug when it's connected causes multiple lights to stay on even though vehicle not running and everything off. Also melted all wires on 2 trailers causing shorted out lights, replaced clutch 2 times since purchase on 3rd clutch and mechanics not sure why even after showing them I am properly using the clutch system, not pulling heavy loads, or driving it like a race truck. ABS system light won't shut off even though no codes or problems with abs system, multiple vacuum leaks and can't get rid of running lean and bad O2 sensors even after replacing them all.

NHTSA ID
11444287
Incident
Mar 9, 2021
Fuel system
Filed Dec 23, 2019

MY VEHICLE HAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL STRAPS I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER THEY LOOKED AT IT THEY SAID THEY CANNOT FIX IT BECAUSE THE STRAP CALL THROUGH THE BED RAIL FRAME WHAT'S THE STRAP IS WHAT CAUSED THE CORROSION AND RUST TO THE BED RAIL FRAME .THEY WILL NOT PROCEED WITH THE REPAIRS EVEN THOUGH THE RECALL STATES THAT THE STRAPS RUST AND ARE KNOWN TO CORRODE AND IF THE GAS THING FALLS IT SHALL BE REPLACED. OUR GAS TANK FELL AND WAS ROCKING AROUND ON THE SKID PLATES AND IT PUNCTURED THE GAS.

NHTSA ID
11290982
Incident
Dec 23, 2019
Fuel system
Filed Nov 20, 2019

I WAS FILLING MY FUEL TANK AND ANOTHER CUSTOMER POINTED OUT THERE APPEARED TO BE SOMETHING DRIPPING FROM MY TRUCK. I FOUND THAT AS I FILLED THERE WAS A STEADY STREAM COMING DOWN WHAT APPEARS TO BE THE FRAMEWORK HOLDING UP THE FUEL TANK AND DRIPPING TO THE GROUND A COUPLE OF FEET FORWARD OF THE FILLING POINT. AS THE TANK FILLED IT APPEARED TO ALSO DRIP DIRECTLY UNDER THE FILLING POINT. I DID FIND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL STRAP WHICH I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF EVEN THOUGH I HAVE HAD THIS TRUCK REGISTERED IN OHIO FOR ABOUT 18 YEARS AND THUS REGISTERED IN THE RUST BELT STATES. WE DID NOT NOTICE ANY DRIPPING AT OUR HOME, ONLY ON FILLING THE TANK.

NHTSA ID
11281266
Incident
Nov 18, 2019
Mileage
204,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 15, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING FUEL AND THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE DETERIORATING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 231,000.

NHTSA ID
11268510
Incident
Oct 1, 2019
Mileage
231,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 10, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS PARTIALLY DETACHED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAP HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

NHTSA ID
11004105
Incident
Jul 5, 2017
Mileage
165,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 29, 2017

TANK SELECTOR DFR FAILED CAUSING FUEL TO POUR OUT OF FRONT TANK AND ALONG SIDE OF TRUCK WHILE WAITING AT STOPLIGHT.

NHTSA ID
10981420
Incident
Apr 28, 2017
Mileage
123,776 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 13, 2017
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE FUEL TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10954152
Incident
Feb 12, 2017
Fuel system
Filed Oct 14, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAPS FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRAPS FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION AND PUNCTURED A HOLE ON THE FUEL TANK, WHICH RESULTED IN A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO OFFERED TO REPLACED THE STRAPS FREE OF CHARGE, BUT REFUSED TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID
10782028
Incident
Oct 13, 2015
Mileage
170,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 14, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS EXHIBITED FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LATER NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FUEL TANK STRAP WAS FRACTURED DUE TO RUST CORROSION. IN 2011, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.

NHTSA ID
10588260
Incident
May 13, 2014
Mileage
173,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 20, 2014

WAS DRIVING AND FUEL TANK FALL OFF AND HIT THE GROUND, PUTTING HOLES INTO THE GAS TANK. MY DAUGHTER RESEARCHED RECALL'S AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS ONE ON THE FUEL STRAPS THAT CAUSED THEM TO BREAK. FORD WILL NOT APPROFVE PAYING FOR AND FIXING MY GAS TANK, WHICH I FEEL SHOULD BE DONE BECAUSE IT WAS THEIR FAULT THAT THE FUEL STRAPS WERE BAD AND I NEVER GOT A RECALL. AM 79 YEARS OLD ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND THEY WANT $700 TO FIX GAS TANK. IF THEIR STRAP WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE THIS WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPEN AND LUCKLEY IT DIDN'T EXPOSED AND KILL ME AND MY PASSENGER. JUST SEEMS VERY UNFAIR THAT THEY DON'T COVER THE WHOLE THING. YOU DO HAVE PERMISSION TO CONTACT MY DAUGHTER AT THE EVENING PHONE NUMBER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10560730
Incident
Dec 29, 2013
Mileage
178,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 2, 2013

FORD REPLACED THE STRAPS ON GAS TANK BUT NOT THE TANK WHICH IS RUSTY FROM THE DEFECTIVE STRAPS. THE ONLY RUST ON THE TANK IS WHERE THE STRAPS ARE. IT STARTED SEEPING A VERY SMALL AMOUNT OF GAS AT THAT POINT AFTER THEY REPLACED THE STRAPS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10554367
Incident
Dec 1, 2013
Mileage
123,000 mi
Fuel systemSuspension
Filed Aug 5, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE RETAINING CLIPS THAT SUPPORTED THE FRONT AND REAR LEAF SPRINGS WERE MISSING. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V161000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, SUSPENSION). THE RECALL EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID
10533684
Incident
Jul 29, 2013
Mileage
140,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 28, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING) HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIRS COULD NOT BE PERFORMED BECAUSE OF A FAILURE WITH THE FUEL STRAPS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 185,000.

NHTSA ID
10477360
Incident
Sep 27, 2012
Mileage
185,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 11, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. WHILE PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL LEAK COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE FUEL TANK AND NOTICED IT FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION ON THE FUEL STRAPS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL STRAPS AND REPAIRED THE FRACTURED FUEL TANK. THE MECHANIC STATED THE DAMAGE TO THE TANK WAS SEVERE AND HE COULD NOT GUARANTEE THE FUEL TANK WOULD NOT LEAK AGAIN. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING) WAS OPENED. APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AFTER THE REPAIR THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE FUEL TANK WOULD NOT BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAD NOT COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ID
10465187
Incident
Jul 11, 2010
Mileage
180,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 14, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL TANK STRAPS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS FOUND TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING). THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 6/12/12 *CN UPDATED 06/21/12.*JB

NHTSA ID
10458469
Incident
May 10, 2012
Mileage
150,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 13, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A DUAL FUEL TANK. AFTER REFUELING, THE FRONT FUEL TANK WOULD OVERFLOW AND CAUSE THE FUEL TO LEAK OUT OF THE FILLER CAP AND ONTO THE GROUND. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO A FAULTY FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 91V146000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: AUXILLARY TANK: SELECTOR DEVICES) BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 199,500.

NHTSA ID
10455111
Incident
Apr 12, 2012
Mileage
199,500 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 20, 2012

CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO 1998 FORD F-150 TRUCK AND SAFETY REPAIRS *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR COST HE INCURRED. FORD STATED THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED AFTER THE ELIGIBILITY DATE OF THE REFUND REIMBURSEMENT PLAN. *JB UPDATED 01/22/13

NHTSA ID
10453042
Incident
Mar 1, 2012
Fuel system
Filed Mar 12, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING) THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD BEGAN TO LEAK WERE THE STRAPS WERE REPLACED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL TANK WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 118,000.

NHTSA ID
10451180
Incident
Dec 9, 2010
Mileage
118,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 29, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A DRAGGING NOISE HEARD FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS SEPARATED AND DRAGGING ON THE GROUND, LEAKING FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE FUEL TANK STRAP, WHICH WAS CORRODED AND CAUSING THE FUEL TANK TO SEPARATE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK AND THE STRAPS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE FUEL TANK REPLACEMENT, BECAUSE THE FUEL TANK WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V385000 FUEL SYSTEM (GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY: MOUNTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 220,000.

NHTSA ID
10449697
Incident
Jul 14, 2010
Mileage
200,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 14, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FUEL ODOR.THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD ONLY REPAIR THE FUEL TANK STRAPS AND NOT THE FUEL TANK BECAUSE THE FUEL TANK WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

NHTSA ID
10447956
Incident
Jan 31, 2012
Mileage
135,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 14, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER RECEIVING NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING) AND HAVING THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE FUEL TANK BEGAN TO LEAK AND THEY WERE NOT GOING TO REPLACE IT. THE VEHICLE TWO STRAPS WERE REPAIRED BUT NOT THE FUEL TANK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10447897
Incident
Jan 14, 2012
Fuel system
Filed Jan 13, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD A LEAK DUE TO CORRODED STRAPS. THE FUEL TANK AND THE CORRODED FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ID
10443682
Incident
Nov 1, 2011
Mileage
104,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 29, 2011
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTER PULLING OVER HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. APPROXIMATELY NINE GALLONS OF GASOLINE WAS SPILLED AND CAUSED A MINOR FIRE, BUT THE FIRE WAS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL TANK FRACTURED DUE TO THE CORROSION OF BOTH FUEL STRAPS. THE FUEL TANK, STRAPS AND OTHER UNKNOWN COMPONENTS WERE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V385000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO SEEK REIMBURSEMENT AND A CLAIM WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 151,181.

NHTSA ID
10441598
Incident
Mar 17, 2010
Mileage
151,181 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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