There are 50 owner-reported brakes complaints for the 1998 Ford F-150in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER ONTO THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V388000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE RECEIVED RECALL REPAIRS FOR A VOLUNTARY MANUFACTURER RECALL IN 2006 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE HYDRAULIC BRAKING SYSTEM DUE TO CORRODED BRAKE LINE FROM MASTER CYLINDER TO ABS CONTROLLER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT STATED A FIRE STARTED ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO SHOP. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE FIRE MAY HAVE STARTED WITHIN THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE. A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED. ONE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE COVERED WITH RUST AND THE OTHER STRAP WAS BROKEN. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND HAD TO BE ORDERED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V385000 ( FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
WHILE BRAKING TO TURN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP. LUCKILY I WAS ALREADY SLOWING FOR THE TURN AND WAS ABLE TO DOWNSHIFT TO SLOW ENOUGH FOR THE TURN. MECHANIC SAID THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED THROUGH. WITH THE RECENT RECALL OF RUSTED GAS TANK STRAPS ON THIS VEHICLE, BELIEVE A RECALL ON RUSTED BRAKE LINES IS ALSO WARRANTED. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES, I.E., TRYING TO STOP AT A TRAIN TRACK, PULLING A TRAILER, OR GOING FASTER. *KB
1998 FORD F150 TRUCK. CONSUMER STATES BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO RUSTED OUT BRAKE LINES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE LINES SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE OUT OF STAINLESS STEEL. *JB
1998 FORD F-150 VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN WORK PARKING LOT FOR 6-1/2 HOURS. FLAMES BEGAN COMING OUT FROM UNDER HOOD AND WAS PUT OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER. WHEN THE HOOD WAS OPENED THE AREA AROUND BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR HAD COMPLETELY BURNED AWAY. *TR
BRAKE LINE TO REAR WHEELS CORRODED CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKING ABILITY. EVENT OCCURRED BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. BRAKE LINES, FITTINGS AND FLUID REPLACED. *TR
1. PURCHASED AND INSTALLED A REPLACEMENT FRONT LEFT BRAKE ROTOR INCLUDING WHEEL STUDS FOR A 1998 FORD F-150 2 WH DRIVE TRUCK V6. PURCHASED FROM ADVANCED AUTO PARTS, PART NAME WEAREVER BRAKE ROTORYH145240, 41801 00563 6. INCLUDED STUDS ON ROTOR ARE IDENTIFIED ON HEAD W726, THEY ARE 12 MILLIMETER THREADS AND APPROXIMATELY 2.25" LONG. 2. FAILURE, WHILE INSTALLING WHEEL TWO STUDS SNAPPED AND BROKE IN TWO AT JUST 60 FOOT POUNDS TORQUE. NUTS WERE TIGHTENED WITH A TORQUE WHENCH IN PROPER SEQUENCE. OBSERVED BOTH STUDS BROKE AT APPROXIMATELY 1.1" FROM TOP OF HEAD OF STUD AND THERE APPEARS TO BE A CAVITY (VOID) OF ABOUT 75% OF THE STEEL FROM THE CENTER OUT WITH ONLY THE RIM (NEAR THREADS) WITH SOLID METAL. 3. REMOVED AND REPLACED BROKEN STUDS WITH THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT STUDS FROM THE OLD ROTOR. THE DEFECTIVE STUDS ARE SECURED AND AVAILABLE. *TR
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
SUDDEN AND TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE ON CROWDED FREEWAY WHILE GOING 70 MPH TOWING A 2,000 LB TRAILER. *TR
WHAT ISN'T WRONG WITH THIS TRUCK? WITH LESS THAN 80,000 MILES ON IT...SPARE TIRE FELL OFF WHILE BEING DRIVEN, INTERIOR LIGHTS RANDOMLY STAY ON, BOTH DOORS ARE RUSTING OUT FROM THE BOTTOM, KNOB TO REGULATE TEMPERATURE FELL OFF AND ASSEMBLY NEEDED REPLACEMENT, FRONT BRAKES CALIPERS STUCK AND CAUGHT ON FIRE, EXHAUST SYSTEM HAS RUSTED OFF TWICE, TRANSMISSION WENT UP AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT LESS THAN 20,000 MILES, RADIATOR RUSTED THROUGH, AND THE HEADLINER IS FALLING DOWN OFF THE CEILING. I'VE PROBABLY MISSED SOMETHING BUT CAN TELL YOU THAT I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER FORD. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F150. WHILE IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. AAA TOWED THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. HE HAS NOT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE LINES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68,700. UPDATED 01-11-08. *KB UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR
HYDRAULIC BRAKE FAILURE. VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY. REAR BRAKE LINES REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. *TR
I HAVE A 98 FORD F150 4X4 WITH 51000 MILES ON IT. DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE I NOTICED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE LINES WERE SWOLLEN WITH RUST WHERE AN OUTER RUBBER SLEEVE COVERS THE STEEL TO RUBBER CONNECTION. UPON INSPECTION THE LINE CAME APART. RUST WAS ALL THAT WAS KEEPING IT TOGETHER. I REPLACED THE LINES MYSELF AND I STILL HAVE THE OLD ONES. IT IS OBVIOUS TO ME THAT THE DESIGN IS FAULTY; THE OUTER SLEEVE RETAINS MOISTURE ALLOWING THE CONNECTION TO RUST AWAY PREMATURELY. MY BIG CONCERN IS THAT I SHOWED THE PROBLEM TO TWO DIFFERENT SERVICE ADVISORS AT TWO AREA FORD DEALERS AND THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO CARE. I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT FORD BY EMAIL TWICE AND I DON'T GET A RESPONSE. *NM
BRAKE WERE NOT RIGHT SPONGY. WEARING OUT BAKE PAD'S NOTHING HAPPENED YET BUT NOT WORKING RIGHT AS OF NOW. I REPLACED CALIPER AND PAD'S. AND BRAKES ARE STILL DRAGGING. *NM
1. DRIVING WITH MY FIANCEE TO GO OUT TO EAT IN EVANSVILLE 2. LOSS OF REAR BRAKES(FOUND OUT LATER A PINHOLE IN BRAKELINE) 3. DAMAGE FRONT IN DUE TO TRAFFIC STOP QUICKLY AND I COULD NOT, SO I WENT OFFROAD TO AVOID A CAR IN A SOYBEAN FIELD. TO CORRECT THE FAILURE I AM NOT INSTALLING THE RECYCLED BRAKE LINES THAT I THINK WAS USED WHEN THE F150 WAS MADE SHOULDN'T THEY LAST MORE THAN 7 YEARS SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY FOR THE DRIVER,ALL PASSANGERS AND OTHER MOTORISTS, I HAVE HAD A GARAGE ORDER STAINLESS STEEL, AND THE FRONT BODY PARTS. I DON'T KNOW THE COST OF THE BILL YET..BUT I'M WITHOUT MY TRUCK..FOR AWHILE. AND A HONEY THAT HAS HAD A HEADACHE ALL DAY AND A SPRAIN WRIST...HOPE IT GOES AWAY(THE HEADACHE).
AT SOME POINT THE CRUISE CONTROL ON MY 1998 FORD F150 PICK-UP STOPPED WORKING. AS I SELDOM USE IT I'M NOT SURE HOW LONG IT WAS OUT. NEXT THE #13 FUSE FAILED. THE REPLACEMENT FUSE FAILED IMMEDIATELY. WITH THIS FAULT I WAS UNABLE TO GET THE TRUCK OUT OF PARK IF STARTED IN PARK. THE ABS LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK. TOOK TRUCK TO EARNHARDT'S FORD DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THEY TRACED PROBLEM TO SHORTED BRAKE PRESSURE SAFETY SWITCH AND SPEED CONTROL SERVO. DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE SWITCH THE WIRING HARNESS WAS SATURATED WITH BRAKE FLUID. ALL THREE DEFECTIVE PARTS WERE REPLACED. THESE REPAIRS COST $3,100 DOLLARS. THE MECHANIC (KEN TUEFFEL) STATED I WAS VERY FORTUNATE THE TRUCK DID NOT CATCH FIRE. WITH THE RECENT NEWS REPORTS ON THE FORD PICK-UP CRUISE CONTROL BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH CAUSING FIRES I BELIEVE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE SAFETY HAZARD OF THESE SWITCHES FOR YEARS AND OWE ME A REFUND ON THESE REPAIRS.*AK
Showing 1–20 of 50 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026