VehicleVerdict

1998 Ford F-800 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 7 complaints on file for the 1998 Ford F-800 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

7

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other F-800 years?

F-800 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted12 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 0 complaints1983: 0 complaints1984: 0 complaints1985: 0 complaints1986: 0 complaints1988: 0 complaints1989: 0 complaints1990: 1 complaints1991: 1 complaints1992: 0 complaints1993: 0 complaints1994: 0 complaints1995: 2 complaints1996: 1 complaints1997: 12 complaints1998: 7 complaints
F-800 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F-800 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Ford F-800 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission343%
Engine114%
Lighting114%
Speed Control114%
Steering114%

Does the 1998 Ford F-800 have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

98V041000SuspensionFebruary 24, 1998 · 1,600 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS AND CHASSIS-CABS. AN AUTOMATIC LOCKING FRONT WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTING NUT WAS DAMAGED DURING INSTALLATION OR REMOVAL BY INCORRECT TOOLS OR AN INCORRECT TORQUE SPECIFICATION WAS USED.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE NUT TO ROTATE FREELY AND LOSE TORQUE. IT COULD ROTATE UNTIL IT IS NO LONGER CONNECTED TO THE FRONT SPINDLE AND ALLOW THE FRONT WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTING NUTS WITH CASTLE NUTS AND COTTER PINS.

97V091000TransmissionMay 28, 1997 · 2,400 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS AND SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS-COWLS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE WELDS THAT ATTACH THE KEY TO THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN MOUNTED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE MAY NOT ADEQUATELY RETAIN THE KEY, ALLOWING THE TRANSMISSION TO BE IN A GEAR OTHER THAN THAT INDICATED ON THE "PRNDL", OR IN SOME CASES, "RNDL."

Consequence

THE DOMESTIC SPECIAL ORDER (DSO) PARK BRAKE MAY NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, OR IN THE VEHICLE MOVING IN AN UNINTENDED DIRECTION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. IN SOME VEHICLES THE DSO PARKING BRAKE MECHANISM ALSO MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ADJUSTED, WHICH CAN RESULT IN THE PARK BRAKE NOT ENGAGING WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN SHIFT TUBE AND, IF SO EQUIPPED, TO HAVE THE DSO PARK BRAKE LINKAGE ADJUSTED.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“RECALL: AUTO TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE/97V091000. THIS COMPANY HAS THREE VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE OF THE RECALL AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS RECALL. DEALER SAID THE HIGHEST MFR NO. IS 97S70. VIN: [XXX], [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 9, 1997

“CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKS, CAUSING THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE LAMP TO ILLUMINATE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 3, 1998

“BRACKET THAT HOLDS SPRING THROTTLE LINKAGE HAS FALLEN OFF, AND IT WILL HANG IN A WIDE OPEN POSITION. *AK THIS HAS FALLEN OFF TWICE. *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control

1998 Ford F-800 — common questions

Is the 1998 Ford F-800 reliable?

The record is thin — 7 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1998 Ford F-800 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Ford F-800. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.