RoadVitals

1998 Ford F-150 Powertrain (other) Problems

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

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) 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.
28
Latest Apr 13, 2015
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.
2%
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.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. 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. 28 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 powertrain

The 25 most recent of 28, in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 13, 2015

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*CN THE DEALER INSTALLED A NEW SHIFTER CABLE. UPDATED 05/29/15*JB

NHTSA ID
10705381
Incident
Apr 11, 2015
Mileage
270,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 7, 2014

GEAR SELECTOR LEVER BECAME "SLOPPY" AND I COULDN'T DEPEND ON THE SELECTOR FOR PARK, OR DRIVE GEARS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10643158
Incident
Oct 1, 2014
Mileage
230,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 11, 2013

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER FAILED TO ENGAGE INTO PARK. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN ON UNLESS THE SHIFT LEVER WAS IN NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 97V171000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 255,000.

NHTSA ID
10543120
Incident
Aug 7, 2013
Mileage
250,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 15, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INDICATOR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED REVERSE. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 97V171000 (POWER TRAIN) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10512066
Incident
Feb 15, 2012
Mileage
123,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 6, 2013

TRANSMISSION SLIPS IN BETWEEN GEARS 2 AND 3RD AND 4TH GEAR ON AUTOMATIC. *TR

NHTSA ID
10510880
Incident
May 6, 2013
Mileage
44 mi
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Apr 4, 2013

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10507105
Incident
Apr 4, 2013
Mileage
177,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 14, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY WOULD NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK AND WOULD NOT TRIGGER THE NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE MOVED WITHOUT BEING SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER: 97V171000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) BUT THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BASED ON THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000.

NHTSA ID
10430230
Incident
Oct 10, 2011
Mileage
250,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 27, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT PIN WAS BROKEN AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO PARK. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

NHTSA ID
10427581
Incident
Jul 27, 2011
Mileage
116,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 9, 2008

I PURCHASED A 1998 FORD F-150 IN 2000 FROM CARMAX IN ARLINGTON, TX. I HAVE HAD NO MAJOR PROBLEMS UNTIL NOV. 7TH 2008. I WAS DRIVING AND APPROACHED A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. I ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS MY BRAKES WHEN THE VEHICLE LOCKED UP AND SPUN SIDEWAYS AT THE INTERSECTION. WHEN I EXITED THE VEHICLE I FOUND THAT MY DRIVERSIDE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAD BROKEN LOSE AND THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL CLAMP HAD BROKEN OFF ALLOWING THE ENTIRE DRIVERSIDE DIFFERENTIAL TO FLY OFF OF THE VEHICLE. % MINUTES EARLIER I WAS ON THE FREEWAY. IF THIS WOULD OF HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY, I WOULD NOT BE HERE TODAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10248050
Incident
Nov 7, 2008
Mileage
112,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 29, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F150. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY PLACE IT INTO NEUTRAL, AND THEN INTO PARK. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PARKING LINKAGE AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE FAILED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V171000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID
10243934
Incident
Sep 10, 2007
Mileage
118,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Jun 24, 2008

1998 FORD F-150 MUFFLER BOLTS SHEARED OFF ON BOTH SIDES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MUFFLER BOLTS CAME OFF OF THE ENGINE SIDES. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT 90,866 MILES, AND THE REAR WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10232817
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
EnginePowertrain (other)Transmission
Filed Apr 11, 2007

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. ALSO, FORD WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE FIRST FAULTY REAR DIFFERENTIAL BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE FORD INSTALL IT. WHY WOULD I? THEY COULD NOT FIX THE ENGINE MISS AFTER 2 TRIES, AND CHARGED ME BOTH TIMES, AND IT TOOK THEM 3 TIMES TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION. *AK

NHTSA ID
10187594
Incident
Apr 15, 2005
Mileage
74,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 18, 2004

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!*AK

NHTSA ID
10095965
Incident
Oct 9, 2004
Mileage
102,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 17, 2003
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH REAR AXLE FELL OFF, CAUSING VEHICLE TO FLIP OVER. DRIVER WAS EJECTED 40 FEET AWAY INTO A DITCH. DUE TO THE SEVERE DAMAGE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10051646
Incident
Nov 17, 2002
Mileage
67,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 9, 2003

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO CHANGE GEARS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10019544
Incident
Mar 12, 2003
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 28, 2002

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON HIGHWAY. THE PIN IN THE REAR AXILE BROKE CAUSING THE AXILE TO COME COMPLETELY OUT OF THE HOUSING, HITTING THE SIDE OF PICKUP AND THEN FLEW INTO OPEN FIELD. CARS BEHIND SAW THIS HAPPEN AND LUCKY IT DID NOT HIT THEM. GOOD CONTROL OF PICKUP KEPT FROM HAVING A ROLLOVER OR GOING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. DT

NHTSA ID
768997
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 21, 2002

AXLE SEAL ON THE LEFT REAR TIRE IS LEAKING AND CAUSING BRAKES TO FAIL, ALSO NOT ONLY ON MY TRUCK BUT MANY OTHER TRUCKS LOCALLY THE PAINT IS CRACKING ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS AND STARTING TO RUST NEAR THE BOTTOM CORNER OF THE WINDOWS. THEY ARE ONLY LITTLE SPOTS BUT VERY COSTLY TO REPAIR: UPWARDS OF $300- $500 DOLLARS.

NHTSA ID
768706
Incident
Sep 1, 2002
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 28, 2002

CONSTANT SHAKING OF THE SEAT, DASHBOARD AND STEERIN WHEEL. DRIVE SHAFT FROM NEW STOCK UNIT INSTALLED.

NHTSA ID
9005741
Incident
Jul 27, 1998
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 18, 2001

DIFFERENTIAL GEARS ATTACHED TO TRANSMISSION, HOLE THE OIL FOR TRANSMISSION. DIFFERENTAL IS DRIPPING EVERY DAY BECAUSE SEAL THAT HOLES IT IN SECURELY IS DEFECTIVE.*AK

NHTSA ID
8000915
Incident
Nov 1, 2001
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 16, 2001

DIFFERENTIAL UNIT BROKE ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND BEEN REPAIRED/REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BY DEALER. PROBLEM REOCCURRED AGAIN, AND DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR DUE TO WARRANTY EXPIRING, BUT STILL KNEW THAT THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE PART. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ID
878261
Incident
Jan 11, 2001
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 8, 2000

EXTENDED CAB VERSION; DRIVELINE CAME BENT FROM FACTORY. THIS CAUSED VIBRATION. PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER. DID NOT KNOW WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
869986
Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Feb 25, 1999

CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND HEARD A NOISE. VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD INTO TRAFFIC, CONSUMER LEARNED THAT THE REAR DRIVESHAFT BROKE IN APRIL 98. ALSO, IN JAN. 99, WHILE CONSUMER SLOWED DOWN TO MAKE A TURN, THE LEFT FRONT TORSION BAR BROKE, THE FRAME DROPPED, DAMAGING THE UPPER CONTROL. CONSUMER WILL PROVIDE VIN# WHEN RECEIVED. *AK

NHTSA ID
833700
Incident
Jan 12, 1999
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 1, 1999

TRANSMISSION AXLE SEAL FAILURE. *YC

NHTSA ID
607678
Incident
Oct 1, 1998
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 1, 1999

DIFFERENTIAL CLUTCH FAILED. *YC

NHTSA ID
606687
Incident
Sep 14, 1998
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 3, 1998

THE BEARINGS BURNED OUT ON THE DIFFERENTIAL. DEALER CONTACTED AND REPLACED THE DIFFERENTIAL UNDER WARRANTY. *AK

NHTSA ID
830035
Incident
Oct 3, 1998

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .