1998 FORD F-250 Recalls, Complaints & Safety

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT TIRE STORE AND THE MECHANIC REFUSED TO MOUNT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BECAUSE THE RIM WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. ALL OF THE OTHER RIMS WERE IN THE SAME CONDITION, INCLUDING THE SPARE THAT WAS NOT EVEN MOUNTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000. *TT*JB

SAILUN IS NOT A CURRENTLY A VALID CHOICE AS A TIRE BRAND NAME:, NOR IS TARRAMAX H/T A VALID CHOICE AS A TIRE LINE:, WHY I HAVE SUBMITTED THIS REPORT UNDER THE UNKNOWNCATEGORY FOR BOTH OF THESE CELL INPUTS. PURCHASED (4) NEW SAILUN, TARRAMAX H/T, LT265/75R-16 TIRES (IN JANUARY 2016). AFTER APPROXIMATELY 13,000 MILES OF USE, STARTED EXPERIENCING AN UNUSUAL VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. AFTER MANY HOURS OF TROUBLESHOOTING THE VIBRATION PROBLEM, IT WAS FINALLY REVEALED AT ANOTHER TIRE CENTER (USING A HUNTER ROAD FORCE TEST/BALANCING MACHINE...AT AN EXTRA COST) THAT 3 OF THE 4 TIRES WERE ACTUALLY DEFECTIVE (RED (75 LBS, 73 LBS AND 43 LBS) CONDITION, REPLACE TIRE) AND THE 4TH TIRE USABLE (YELLOW (15 LBS) CONDITION, SLIGHTLY OUT OF ROUND, BUT ARE STILL USABLE...FOR HOW LONG, IS ANYONE GUESS). ROAD FORCE TESTING REVEALED THAT THE INTERNAL BELTS HAD SEPARATED AND ARE THE CAUSE FOR THE OUT OF ROUND TIRE CONDITION. THIS IS WHY THE VIBRATION HAS GOTTEN SIGNIFICANTLY WORST OVER THE PAST MONTH...MORE BELT SEPARATION WITH EACH USE. ACCORDING TO THE TIRE EXPERT TECHNICIAN AT DISCOUNT TIRES, "THE TIRES ARE EGG SHAPED RATHER THAN ROUND LIKE A DOUGHNUT AND THIS CONDITION IS WHAT IS CAUSING THE VIBRATIONS EVEN THOUGH THE TIRES ARE SHOWING BALANCED ON OTHER BALANCING MACHINES AT OTHER SHOPS. OTHER BUYERS HAVE COMPLAINED ON-LINE ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM, BUT I SUSPECT THEY HAVE NOT OFFICIALLY REPORTED THESE PROBLEMS TO THE NHTSA. TBCBRANDS CUSTOMER SERVICE IS CLAIMING THAT THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY REPORTED PROBLEMS AND THAT IF THERE WERE ANY ISSUES, THE NHTSA WOULD HAVE REPORTS OF THIS. TIRES WERE IMPORTED BY TBCBRANDS OR TBC CORPORATION AND A PRIMARILY SOLD BY LES SCHWAB TIRE STORES. DRIVER'S REAR; DOT 535TLE50 1615, MADE IN CHINA (DEFECTIVE, 73 LBS) PASSENGER'S REAR; DOT 535TLE50 1815, MADE IN CHINA (DEFECTIVE, 43 LBS) DRIVE'S FRONT; DOT YJ5TLEV2 2815, MADE IN VIETNAM (YELLOW, CURRENTLY AT 15 LBS) PASSENGER'S FRONT; DOT 535TLE50 1615, MADE IN CHINA (DEFECTIVE, 75 LBS)

FORD F-250 4X4 FORD RECALL 11S21(NHTSA 11V385) FUEL TANK STRAP CORROSION INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT WAS CONDUCTED. THE FUEL TANK WAS ALSO FOUND TO BE RUSTED UNDER THE STRAP AREA ONLY. AFTER THE OLD STRAPS WERE REMOVED THE TANK STARTED TO LEAK FUEL AND FORD NOR THE DEALER WOULD REPLACE THE TANK. IF THE STRAPS ARE COVERED FOR CORROSION THEN THE TANK SHOULD BE ALSO DUE TO THE CORROSION TRANSFERRING TO THE TANK SURFACE. THE DEALER PLACED NEW STRAPS OVER A RUSTED TANK. THE TRUCK WILL NEED OVER $1200.00 IN REPAIRS FOR SAFE OPERATION AND TO REMEDY THE NOW LEAKING FUEL. *TR

THE EVENING OF JULY 26TH, 2011 APPROXIMATELY 10:00PM EST, AN ENGINE FIRE OCCURRED IN OUR 1998 FORD F-250 TRUCK (EXT CAB, TRITON V-8 ENGINE, LARIAT ED). THE F-250 HAD BEEN PARKED IN A REMOTE PARKING AREA ON THE INTERIOR AREA OF THE MASON COUNTY FAIR GROUNDS. DUE TO COUNTY FAIR ACTIVITIES DURING THAT DAY, THE TRUCK HAD NOT BEEN STARTED FOR OVER 10 HOURS WHEN THIS FIRE OCCURRED. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. IT TOTALED THE ENGINE, BUCKLED THE HOOD, BLISTERED THE PAINT, ETC. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO PROPERTY DAMAGE, NOR WAS THERE ANY BODILY INJURY. WE HAD PURCHASED THE TRUCK IN APRIL OF 2010. THIS TRUCK WAS IN PRISTINE (EAT OFF THE ENGINE) CONDITION. SINCE WE HAVE OWNED IT, IT HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES (MOBIL-1 SYNTHETIC ONLY). ASIDE FROM THAT, AND OTHER NORMAL MAITENANCE, THERE HAD BEEN NO MODIFICATIONS TO THE VEHICLE, WHICH HAD STOCK EQPT WHEN WE PURCHASED IT. NO-OFF ROADING, MY SON BABIED THIS TRUCK. HE DID NOT EVEN LIKE GOING TO HIS GIRLFRIEND'S HOME WITH IT, BECAUSE SHE LIVED ON A DIRT ROAD. HE IS MORE THAN JUST LEFT WITHOUT A VEHICLE, HE IS HEARTBROKEN, TO SAY THE LEAST. I HAVE CHECKED THAT THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT. 911 WAS CALLED, BUT ULTIMATELY IT IS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THAT MADE THE REPORT. I NOTIFIED FORD ON JULY 27TH, 2011. ON JULY 30TH, 2011 I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MARIA AGUILERA, PRODUCT CLAIMS LEGAL ANALYST, FORD'S OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNCIL IN DEARBORN, MI. WE ARE WORKING TO GATHER INFORMATION REQUIRED BY HER AT THIS TIME. *KB

Fire

THE METAL STRAPS HOLDING THE GAS TANK ON MY 1998 F250 (REGULAR DUTY) RUSTED TO PIECES ONE AT A TIME UNTIL THE LAST STRAP BROKE AND THE GAS TANK DROPPED ON TO THE ROAD. IT IS A MIRACLE THE TANK DIDN'T GET WEDGED UNDER THE VEHICLE OR EXPLODE FROM BEING DRAGGED ON THE ROAD. *TR

ON APRIL 9TH 2011 MY FUEL TANK STRAPS BROKE WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH. THE TRUCK WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE TANK WAS HANGING BY THE FUEL LINES AND TANK NECK. THE TRUCK IS A FORD F-250 LIGHT WITH A 24 1/2 GALLON FUEL TANK, THAT HAS 102000 MILES. I REPLACED BOTH STRAPS AT A COST OF $34.00. I PAINTED THE NEW STRAPS TO PREVENT FUTURE PROBLEMS. *TR

1998 FORD F-250 (EARLY BUILD) WITH 201,992 MILES, HAD THE GAS TANK STRAP RUST AND BREAK RESULTING IN THE GAS TANK DROPPING TO THE PAVEMENT. THE FORWARD (FRONT) GAS TANK STRAP FAILED AND THE GAS TANK FELL TO THE PAVEMENT CAUSING THE RELEASE OF APPROXIMATELY 22 GALLONS OF FUEL. THE RESULTING SPILL REQUIRED A CLEANUP BY THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE SPILL CLEANUP RESULTED IN A $453 CHARGE BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AT A COST OF $112. THE FUEL TANK AND STRAPS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $978.00. TOTAL COST OF EVENT $1,500. *TR

I RECENTLY READ THAT NHTSA WAS INVESTIGATING FORD F 150 FROM 1997 TO 2001 FOR RUSTING GAS TANK STRAPS THAT EFFECTED 1.4 MILLION TRUCKS. I HAVE A FORD 1998 F-250 THAT HAD RUSTED GAS TANK STRAPS. ONE STRAP LET GO AND THE TANK MOVED OUT OF POSITION. I REPLACED IT MYSELF, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS DONE CORRECTLY OR WITH THE PROPER SAFETY PROTECTION. DID FORD ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS? WILL THEY INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF IT WAS DONE CORRECTLY? IS THERE A COST TO THE OWNER FOR ANY OF THIS? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TO HAVE THE STRAPS REPLACED. UPDATED 10/25/11

SPARK PLUG GETS BLOWN COMPLETELY OUT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK AND DESTROYS THE ENGINE COIL. THE ENGINE THEN NEEDS TO BE REBORED TO BE REPAIRED TO BE DRIVABLE. THIS OCCURS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND HAS NOW HAPPENED TO US TWICE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER NO LOAD. *TR

STEERING GEAR BOX. IT HAS BECOME DISENGAGED AT THE PITMAN ARM. AND LEAKING FLUID. I HAVE FOUND THAT THE 97 AND 99 VERSIONS OF THIS TRUCK HAVE HAD PROBLEMS AND RECALLS FOR THIS. I WAS TOLD A WHILE BACK ( ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO) BY A CAR DEALERSHIP OWNER THAT THIS TRUCK IS ACTUALLY A 99 I WOULD LIKE TO ADD MY VEHICLE YEAR TO THIS LIST. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SPARK PLUGS "POPPING OUT" WHICH IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE TRITON ENGINES. *TR

1998 FORD F-250 STEEL TIE-ROD WERE SUFFICIENTLY WORN, LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE ALSO WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *KB ***NAR*** THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A CAUTIONARY LETTER FROM THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY WHICH STATED IT WAS NECESSARY TO HAVE THE STEERING LINKAGE INSPECTED EVERY 15,000, WHICH PROMPTED THE CONSUMER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. AFTER THE INSTALLATION OF THE NEW AND IMPROVED STEERING COMPONETS, THE LEFT OUTER STEERING TIE ROD SOCKET DISENGAGED FROM THE BALL ON THE LEFT WHEEL ASSEMBLY WHILE MAKING A SLOW GRADUAL LEFT TURN. THIS FAILURE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE TO AN ABRUPT STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND INSPECTED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ALL THE TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN.*JB

BROKEN FRONT TORSION BAR. STARTED MOTOR, SHIFTED FROM PARK TO REVERSE, AND WITHOUT MOVING FROM THE SPOT, HEARD A LOUD CRACK AND THE TORSION BAR HAD SNAPPED. MY GARAGE WAS TOLD BY THEIR PARTS SUPPLIER THAT, UNTIL THIS PAST MONTH, THEY NEVER HAD A REQUEST FOR THIS PART BEFORE. THIS IS NOW THE SECOND REQUEST IN THE PAST MONTH. KEPT THE BROKEN BAR AFTER REPLACEMENT.

THE TRUCK WAS STARTED AND THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT FROM THE ENGINE. THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THEY STATED IT WASN'T A PROBLEM. THE NEXT TIME, THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH. THE CONSUMER HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *JB

WHILE STARTING MY FORD TRUCK WITH THE 5.4 L ENGINE I HEARD A VERY LOUD POP AND THE ENGINE RAN AS IF THE HEAD GASKET BLEW. A NON-FORD MECHANIC VERIFIED THE NO. 3 SPARK PLUG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BLEW OUT AND STRIPPED THE THREADS FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD INSERT THAT THIS FORD DEALER INSERTED TO REPAIR AN EARLIER BLOWN SPARK PLUG. THE OLD INSERT FOR THE PREVIOUS FAILURE WAS REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH A NEW TYPE ACCORDING TO THE FORD MECHANIC. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. ON JULY 10, 2003, APPROXIMATELY 1 YR AND 2 DAYS BEFORE THIS FAILURE THE NO. 3 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT STRIPPING THE TREADS IN THE CYLINDER HEAD. NUMEROUS NON-FORD MECHANICS I'VE TALKED TO HAVE VERIFIED THIS BEEN A FAIRLY COMMON OCCURRENCE IN THE 5.4 L FORD ENGINE IN TRUCKS AND SUV'S. AN INDIVIDUAL THAT I WORK WITH HAD THE SAME SPARK PLUG (NO. 3 PASSENGER SIDE) BLOW OUT FROM HER FORD EXPLORER WITH THE 5.4 L ENGINE APPROXIMATELY 6 WEEKS AGO. *LA

WHILE DRIVING, THE REAR SUSPENSION SNAPPED. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP TRIED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM ONCE BEFORE, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK THREE AIR SUSPENSION BAGS HAD BLOWN OUT SINCE THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. (RIGHT AIRBAG ON THE REAR SUSPENSION) *SCC *JB

RIGHT TURN SIGNALS WOULD FAIL TO STAY ON IF ROAD BEARS OPPOSITE OF SIGNAL. INDEPENDENT TECHNICIAN REPLACED TURN SIGNAL. BUT, PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVED, UNABLE TO BE FIXED. DEALER STATED NEED TO REPLACE THE SWITCH. IT WILL COST CONSUMER $310.00. *AK

REAR WINDOW CRACKS AND LEAKS WATER INTO THE CAB. THIS IS EVIDENTLY A MAJOR PROBLEM AFTER TALKING TO TWO AUTO GLASS PLACES. TALKING TO FORD IS NO HELP.

THERE WAS A PULSATION IN THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN DEPRESSED. THE ABS SYSTEM LOCKED UP INTERMITTENTLY WHICH CAUSED THE TIRES TO WEAR PREMATURELY. *NLM

I HAVE A 1998 F-250 LIGHT DUTY PICKUP WITH REAR AIR BAG SUSPENSION. THE AIR BAGS HAVE FAILED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS. I WAS HOPING THERE WAS A RECALL OR SOMETHING FROM FORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, I AM GETTING TIRED OF REPLACING THESE THINGS AT $500 A PIECE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISON. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

Crash

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, DISCOVERED VEHICLE WAS LOW ON OIL AND REPLACED OIL, NEXT DAY VEHICLE MADE A TERRIBLE NOISE AND WAS TAKEN TO DEALER ONLY TO FIND THE OIL HAD BEEN BURNED UP THROUGH THE CONVERTER.ENGINE IS BAD DUE TO THE CASINGS. *JG

HAVE FOUND A CRACK LOCATED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AT WINDOW CUTOUT.*AK

BOTH DOORS OF VEHICLE EXHIBIT A FATIGUE CRACK ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE WINDOW AREA, REAR EDGE, ABOUT 3 INCHES UP FROM THE BOTTOM OF WINDOW FRAME, CRACK BEGINS AT THE RUBBER WEATHER SEAL, THEN PROGRESSES REARWARD HORIZONTALLY FOR ABOUT ,5 INCHES. WE THEN CHECKED MY BUDDIES 1997 F150 AND HIS HAD IT TOO. HE THEN CHECK 3 OF HIS FRIENDS, AND THEY ALSO HAD THE CRACKS. SEEMS THAT AUTO BODY SHOPS KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM, CHECK IT OUT SEEMS TO BE A HIGH PERCENTAGE FROM A VERY SMALL SAMPLE. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN INTERSTATE WITH CRUISE ON AT 70MPH, THE CRUISEW OULD NOT TURN OFF WITH THE BRAKE BEING APPLIED OR WITH THE OFF BUTTON, THE CRUISE ACCELERATED AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF UNTIL THE KEY WAS USED TO TURN THE MOTOR OFF WITH OUT LOCKING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FIRST TWO TIMES THIS HAPPEN IT WAS JUST THAT THE CRUISE WOULD NOT TURN OFF WITH THE BRAKE OR OFF BUTTON.*AK

SPARK PLUG NUMBER FOUR HAD BLOWN OUT OF HEAD, CONSUMER MANAGED TO GET VEHICLE TO A MECHANICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT HEAD WAS MADE OF ALUMINUM AND ENGINE WAS MADE OF IRON, THIS IS WHAT CAUSED THE SPARK PLUGS TO BLOW, RIGHT HEAD WAS REPLACED FOR A TOTAL COST OF $1900, PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENT WS GIVEN TO CONSUMER. *SLC

WATER LEAKING TO INTERIOR OF VEHICLE CAUSED MAL-FUNCTIONS CAUSING TRUCK TO SHORT AND STOP IN INTERSECTION.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IS CRACKING ABOVE DOOR HANDLE. DEALERSHIP IS REPLACING DOOR. *AK

THE 6 MONTH OLD FRAME IS WARPED, THERE WAS A BREAK ON THE FRAME THAT WAS VISIBLE WHEN THE REPAIRS WERE MADE, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION BROKE, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PROBLEM IS STILL PERSISTING. *SLC

VEHICLE EXPERIENCES A PROBLEM WITH THE FRAME CONTINUALLY BECOMING WARPED EVEN AFTER BEING REPLACED, THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT IT COULD BREAK WHILE DRIVING. *SLC

WHEN WEATHER IS COLD THROTTLE GETS STUCK IN OPEN POSITION, CAUSING VEHICLE TO RESPOND AS IF CRUISE CONTOL WAS ACTIVATED. FORD HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

ABS SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO A SUDDEN STOP. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS AT 30-40 MPH. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER ROTATED ROTORS.*AK