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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
27,800 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Ford F-150 electrical problems

electrical problem

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1998 Ford F-150 Owner Comments

problem #7

Mar 102005

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,600 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #6

Jan 252005

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 157,000 miles
An under hood fire occurred after the vehicle sat for 10 hours. Fire department extinguished the fire, and indicated that it originated within the fuse box.

- Alvin, TX, USA

problem #5

Jan 012001

F-150

  • miles
Fuse box getting wet. Resulting in malfunction of all electrical componets. Ie lights flashing off, speedometer not working, 4X4 kicking in and out, ect.

- Buckhannon, WV, USA

problem #4

Aug 012000

F-150 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The horn and cruise control do not work. According to many website postings the two are related. Evidently there is a so called "spring clip" in the steering column that needs replacing- cost is around $300. This is quite a common problem on the F-series pickups. I can put a fuse in and it will short when I use the horn.

- Bellflower, CA, USA

problem #3

Sep 192000

(reported on)

F-150 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
There is a malfunction in wiring harness in steering column, when the tilt is used. This malfunction causes brake lights and turn signals not to work. Dealer has seen vehicle 6 times, and was not able to fix it. The dealer fixed only the harness but it failed again. The brake light and turn signal are still inoperable.

- Bloomfield, MI, USA

problem #2

Jun 061998

F-150

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Fuse for running light circuit failed.

- Glendora, CA, USA

problem #1

Jan 271999

F-150 4WD

  • miles
Purchased F150 in June 1998. 8/98 had minior electrical problem - fan would not shut off when key turned off. In 9/98 lost speedometer, tachometer, could hear relays clicking. 10/98 replaced main fuse box due to arching between ternminals. 1/99 lost speedometer/tachometer/4 wheel drive switch, could hear relays in dash again. 1/99 replaced main switch box again due to arching between ternminals. 3/99 ocassional problem with windshield washer switch. They had no idea what caused the problem, if it was resolved, etc, but indicated the normal supply channel was out of the part.

- Carlisle, PA, USA

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