1998 Ford Super Duty F Series Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1998 Ford Super Duty F Series, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags120.0%
- Brakes120.0%
- Engine120.0%
- Powertrain (other)120.0%
- Seat belts120.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VAN, THE LATEST APPEARS THAT THE PAINT IS CHIPPING AND THE BODY RUSTING AT SEAMS, ESPECIALLY TOP LIP AREA ETC, BOLTS ON WINDOWS RUSTING, EVEN WHEN NEW, BRAKES HAVE FAILED ON NUMEROUS TIMES ONCE MY HUSBAND SKIDDED ACROSS A ROAD AND INTO A POST AND BROKE HIS ARM IN 3 PLACES, RECENTLY THE TRANSMISSION SEAL WAS REPLACED, WE HAVE NEVER PULLED ANYTHING AND IT EVEN HAS LEVEL 3 TOWING, THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED NOT LONG AFTER BUYING BECAUSE IT KNOCKED WHEN STARTED, THE SECOND ENGINE DID THE SAME AFTER ABOUT 26000 ALSO, THE HEATER CORE WENT OUT AT ABOUT 80,000, THE FRONT DOORS SOUND LIKE SOMETHING LOOSE INSIDE WHEN CLOSED, THE SEATCOVERS BEGAN COMING APART AT THE SEAMS SO THEY WERE REPLACED BY FORD, THE REAR END LEAKED WHEN I FIRST GOT IT , SO THEY REDID IT 3 OR 4 TIMES UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NEVER REPLACED IT, THE FRONT END VIBRATES WHEN I BRAKE, I PAID TO REPLACE THE 4 TIRES THEN RECEIVED A RECALL AFTER I HAD PAID FOR MY TIRES, THE RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING AT IT'S SEAM, AND THE LIST GOES ON. THIS VEHICLE IS SERVICED REGULARLY AND CHECKED.....I HAD TRIED TO GET FORD TO REPLACE IT SINCE THE SECOND ENGINE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY....BUT THEY WAITED UNTIL THE WARRANTY RAN OUT THEN CONTACTED ME AND SAID THEY REALLY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING.... THE SCARRIEST PART SO FAR IS THE FAILING BRAKES, I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME 3 TIMES ALSO. THE SEATBELT BUCKLE LITERALLY FELL APART IN MY HAND ONE DAY, PRIOR TO THAT IT WAS NOT SNAPPING PROPERLY, ALSO THE "NEW" ENGINE THAT WAS PUT IN STARTED LEAKING OIL FROM WHAT I PERCEIVE TO BE THE HEADGASKET AT AROUND 80 OR SO THOUSAND MILES....THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE SECOND ENGINE EVEN THO IT MADE THE CLATTER AT ABOUT 26000 AFTER BEING INSTALLED...THE BODY ALSO DINTED IN BY THE DOOR SLIGHTLY WHEN THE WIND CAUGHT THE DOOR AND PULLED IT OPEN...IT IS SO THIN... THANKS ! SHARON
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VAN, THE LATEST APPEARS THAT THE PAINT IS CHIPPING AND THE BODY RUSTING AT SEAMS, ESPECIALLY TOP LIP AREA ETC, BOLTS ON WINDOWS RUSTING, EVEN WHEN NEW, BRAKES HAVE FAILED ON NUMEROUS TIMES ONCE MY HUSBAND SKIDDED ACROSS A ROAD AND INTO A POST AND BROKE HIS ARM IN 3 PLACES, RECENTLY THE TRANSMISSION SEAL WAS REPLACED, WE HAVE NEVER PULLED ANYTHING AND IT EVEN HAS LEVEL 3 TOWING, THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED NOT LONG AFTER BUYING BECAUSE IT KNOCKED WHEN STARTED, THE SECOND ENGINE DID THE SAME AFTER ABOUT 26000 ALSO, THE HEATER CORE WENT OUT AT ABOUT 80,000, THE FRONT DOORS SOUND LIKE SOMETHING LOOSE INSIDE WHEN CLOSED, THE SEATCOVERS BEGAN COMING APART AT THE SEAMS SO THEY WERE REPLACED BY FORD, THE REAR END LEAKED WHEN I FIRST GOT IT , SO THEY REDID IT 3 OR 4 TIMES UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NEVER REPLACED IT, THE FRONT END VIBRATES WHEN I BRAKE, I PAID TO REPLACE THE 4 TIRES THEN RECEIVED A RECALL AFTER I HAD PAID FOR MY TIRES, THE RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING AT IT'S SEAM, AND THE LIST GOES ON. THIS VEHICLE IS SERVICED REGULARLY AND CHECKED.....I HAD TRIED TO GET FORD TO REPLACE IT SINCE THE SECOND ENGINE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY....BUT THEY WAITED UNTIL THE WARRANTY RAN OUT THEN CONTACTED ME AND SAID THEY REALLY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING.... THE SCARRIEST PART SO FAR IS THE FAILING BRAKES, I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME 3 TIMES ALSO. THE SEATBELT BUCKLE LITERALLY FELL APART IN MY HAND ONE DAY, PRIOR TO THAT IT WAS NOT SNAPPING PROPERLY, ALSO THE "NEW" ENGINE THAT WAS PUT IN STARTED LEAKING OIL FROM WHAT I PERCEIVE TO BE THE HEADGASKET AT AROUND 80 OR SO THOUSAND MILES....THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE SECOND ENGINE EVEN THO IT MADE THE CLATTER AT ABOUT 26000 AFTER BEING INSTALLED...THE BODY ALSO DINTED IN BY THE DOOR SLIGHTLY WHEN THE WIND CAUGHT THE DOOR AND PULLED IT OPEN...IT IS SO THIN... THANKS ! SHARON
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VAN, THE LATEST APPEARS THAT THE PAINT IS CHIPPING AND THE BODY RUSTING AT SEAMS, ESPECIALLY TOP LIP AREA ETC, BOLTS ON WINDOWS RUSTING, EVEN WHEN NEW, BRAKES HAVE FAILED ON NUMEROUS TIMES ONCE MY HUSBAND SKIDDED ACROSS A ROAD AND INTO A POST AND BROKE HIS ARM IN 3 PLACES, RECENTLY THE TRANSMISSION SEAL WAS REPLACED, WE HAVE NEVER PULLED ANYTHING AND IT EVEN HAS LEVEL 3 TOWING, THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED NOT LONG AFTER BUYING BECAUSE IT KNOCKED WHEN STARTED, THE SECOND ENGINE DID THE SAME AFTER ABOUT 26000 ALSO, THE HEATER CORE WENT OUT AT ABOUT 80,000, THE FRONT DOORS SOUND LIKE SOMETHING LOOSE INSIDE WHEN CLOSED, THE SEATCOVERS BEGAN COMING APART AT THE SEAMS SO THEY WERE REPLACED BY FORD, THE REAR END LEAKED WHEN I FIRST GOT IT , SO THEY REDID IT 3 OR 4 TIMES UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NEVER REPLACED IT, THE FRONT END VIBRATES WHEN I BRAKE, I PAID TO REPLACE THE 4 TIRES THEN RECEIVED A RECALL AFTER I HAD PAID FOR MY TIRES, THE RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING AT IT'S SEAM, AND THE LIST GOES ON. THIS VEHICLE IS SERVICED REGULARLY AND CHECKED.....I HAD TRIED TO GET FORD TO REPLACE IT SINCE THE SECOND ENGINE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY....BUT THEY WAITED UNTIL THE WARRANTY RAN OUT THEN CONTACTED ME AND SAID THEY REALLY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING.... THE SCARRIEST PART SO FAR IS THE FAILING BRAKES, I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME 3 TIMES ALSO. THE SEATBELT BUCKLE LITERALLY FELL APART IN MY HAND ONE DAY, PRIOR TO THAT IT WAS NOT SNAPPING PROPERLY, ALSO THE "NEW" ENGINE THAT WAS PUT IN STARTED LEAKING OIL FROM WHAT I PERCEIVE TO BE THE HEADGASKET AT AROUND 80 OR SO THOUSAND MILES....THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE SECOND ENGINE EVEN THO IT MADE THE CLATTER AT ABOUT 26000 AFTER BEING INSTALLED...THE BODY ALSO DINTED IN BY THE DOOR SLIGHTLY WHEN THE WIND CAUGHT THE DOOR AND PULLED IT OPEN...IT IS SO THIN... THANKS ! SHARON
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VAN, THE LATEST APPEARS THAT THE PAINT IS CHIPPING AND THE BODY RUSTING AT SEAMS, ESPECIALLY TOP LIP AREA ETC, BOLTS ON WINDOWS RUSTING, EVEN WHEN NEW, BRAKES HAVE FAILED ON NUMEROUS TIMES ONCE MY HUSBAND SKIDDED ACROSS A ROAD AND INTO A POST AND BROKE HIS ARM IN 3 PLACES, RECENTLY THE TRANSMISSION SEAL WAS REPLACED, WE HAVE NEVER PULLED ANYTHING AND IT EVEN HAS LEVEL 3 TOWING, THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED NOT LONG AFTER BUYING BECAUSE IT KNOCKED WHEN STARTED, THE SECOND ENGINE DID THE SAME AFTER ABOUT 26000 ALSO, THE HEATER CORE WENT OUT AT ABOUT 80,000, THE FRONT DOORS SOUND LIKE SOMETHING LOOSE INSIDE WHEN CLOSED, THE SEATCOVERS BEGAN COMING APART AT THE SEAMS SO THEY WERE REPLACED BY FORD, THE REAR END LEAKED WHEN I FIRST GOT IT , SO THEY REDID IT 3 OR 4 TIMES UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NEVER REPLACED IT, THE FRONT END VIBRATES WHEN I BRAKE, I PAID TO REPLACE THE 4 TIRES THEN RECEIVED A RECALL AFTER I HAD PAID FOR MY TIRES, THE RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING AT IT'S SEAM, AND THE LIST GOES ON. THIS VEHICLE IS SERVICED REGULARLY AND CHECKED.....I HAD TRIED TO GET FORD TO REPLACE IT SINCE THE SECOND ENGINE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY....BUT THEY WAITED UNTIL THE WARRANTY RAN OUT THEN CONTACTED ME AND SAID THEY REALLY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING.... THE SCARRIEST PART SO FAR IS THE FAILING BRAKES, I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME 3 TIMES ALSO. THE SEATBELT BUCKLE LITERALLY FELL APART IN MY HAND ONE DAY, PRIOR TO THAT IT WAS NOT SNAPPING PROPERLY, ALSO THE "NEW" ENGINE THAT WAS PUT IN STARTED LEAKING OIL FROM WHAT I PERCEIVE TO BE THE HEADGASKET AT AROUND 80 OR SO THOUSAND MILES....THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE SECOND ENGINE EVEN THO IT MADE THE CLATTER AT ABOUT 26000 AFTER BEING INSTALLED...THE BODY ALSO DINTED IN BY THE DOOR SLIGHTLY WHEN THE WIND CAUGHT THE DOOR AND PULLED IT OPEN...IT IS SO THIN... THANKS ! SHARON
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VAN, THE LATEST APPEARS THAT THE PAINT IS CHIPPING AND THE BODY RUSTING AT SEAMS, ESPECIALLY TOP LIP AREA ETC, BOLTS ON WINDOWS RUSTING, EVEN WHEN NEW, BRAKES HAVE FAILED ON NUMEROUS TIMES ONCE MY HUSBAND SKIDDED ACROSS A ROAD AND INTO A POST AND BROKE HIS ARM IN 3 PLACES, RECENTLY THE TRANSMISSION SEAL WAS REPLACED, WE HAVE NEVER PULLED ANYTHING AND IT EVEN HAS LEVEL 3 TOWING, THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED NOT LONG AFTER BUYING BECAUSE IT KNOCKED WHEN STARTED, THE SECOND ENGINE DID THE SAME AFTER ABOUT 26000 ALSO, THE HEATER CORE WENT OUT AT ABOUT 80,000, THE FRONT DOORS SOUND LIKE SOMETHING LOOSE INSIDE WHEN CLOSED, THE SEATCOVERS BEGAN COMING APART AT THE SEAMS SO THEY WERE REPLACED BY FORD, THE REAR END LEAKED WHEN I FIRST GOT IT , SO THEY REDID IT 3 OR 4 TIMES UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NEVER REPLACED IT, THE FRONT END VIBRATES WHEN I BRAKE, I PAID TO REPLACE THE 4 TIRES THEN RECEIVED A RECALL AFTER I HAD PAID FOR MY TIRES, THE RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING AT IT'S SEAM, AND THE LIST GOES ON. THIS VEHICLE IS SERVICED REGULARLY AND CHECKED.....I HAD TRIED TO GET FORD TO REPLACE IT SINCE THE SECOND ENGINE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY....BUT THEY WAITED UNTIL THE WARRANTY RAN OUT THEN CONTACTED ME AND SAID THEY REALLY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING.... THE SCARRIEST PART SO FAR IS THE FAILING BRAKES, I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME 3 TIMES ALSO. THE SEATBELT BUCKLE LITERALLY FELL APART IN MY HAND ONE DAY, PRIOR TO THAT IT WAS NOT SNAPPING PROPERLY, ALSO THE "NEW" ENGINE THAT WAS PUT IN STARTED LEAKING OIL FROM WHAT I PERCEIVE TO BE THE HEADGASKET AT AROUND 80 OR SO THOUSAND MILES....THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE SECOND ENGINE EVEN THO IT MADE THE CLATTER AT ABOUT 26000 AFTER BEING INSTALLED...THE BODY ALSO DINTED IN BY THE DOOR SLIGHTLY WHEN THE WIND CAUGHT THE DOOR AND PULLED IT OPEN...IT IS SO THIN... THANKS ! SHARON
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .