Total Complaints
16 filings
FORD F-350 · model year
1998 FORD F-350
16 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1998FORDF-350 carries 16 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1998 F-350 is tires with 3 filings, followed by air bags (1) and seats:front assembly:head restraint (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 1998 F-350, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
16
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
2
Deaths
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| TIRES | 3 |
| AIR BAGS | 1 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 1 |
| WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20100531TIRES
WE SOLD A CUSTOMER SOME 35-13.50-20 MICKEY THOMPSON ATZ TIRES BACK IN 2007 CUSTOMER BROUGHT BACK THE TIRES IN MAY OF 2010 FOR CRACKING AROUND THE SIDEWALL AND LUGS CONTACTED MICKEY THOMPSON ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THAT RECEIVED A RGA BUT WAS NOT TOLD WHERE TO SEND THEM CALLED REPEATEDLY BUT WITH NO ANSWER. THIS SAME TIRE WAS RECALLED IN 2006 FOR HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WAS TOLD THAT THE CUSTOMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO SHIP THEM BACK TO MICKEY AND IF THEY WERE IN FACT DEFECTIVE THEY WOULD ISSUE A PRORATED WARRANTY ON THEM IF NOT WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO SHIP THEM BACK ALSO I DO HAVE PHOTOS OF THE CRACKING ALL FOUR TIRE ARE DOING THE EXACT SAME THING. *TR
20070319FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
TL*- THE CONTACT HAS A 1999 FORD F-350 AND NOTICED THAT THE OIL TANK WAS LEAKING. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS STALLING OUT ON THE ROAD. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE CONTACT FOUND OUT THAT FORD WAS SPRAYING THE INNER-LINER OF THE TANK CAUSING IT TO MIX WITH THE FUEL AND CLOG THE FILTERS. THE CONTACT HAS REPLACED THE FILTER TWICE SINCE 10-26-06. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT REIMBURSE HER FOR THE PARTS THAT SHE REPLACED, BUT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE PART IF NEEDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
Mileage: 85,000
20051222CrashWHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL SHEARED OFF 1998 FORD F350 CAUSING IT TO STRIKE GUARD RAIL (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *TS *NM
20030923TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TREAD SEPARATED FROM RIGHT REAR TIRE. CONSUMER HAD NOT STRUCK ANYTHING, AND TIRE WAS STILL INFLATED. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE, AND EXAMINED WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE TIRE. HE REALIZED THAT ALL THE TREAD WAS GONE BUT SIDEWALL WAS STILL INTACT. IT WAS A WIDE TRACK BAJA A/S, LT245/75R16.*AK THE ROAD WAS CLEAR AND DRY. TEN MINUTES PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONSUMER FELT VIBRATION SHUDDERING THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. TIRE HAD APPROX. 35,000 MILES ON IT. CONSUMER HAS ONE OF THE FAILED TIRES, HE REPLACED AND DISCARDED THE OTHER THREE. *PH *NLM
Mileage: 65,315
20010723FatalTIRES
RIGHT REAR DUAL TIRE BLOWOUT AND TREAD SEPARATION AT 40 MPH, RESULTING IN APPROX $300.00 DAMAGE TO UNDERSIDE OF RV.*AK (TIRESIZE: LT225 R16E)
20001017TIRES
NEW TIRES FIRST YEAR OF USE - JUST SHREDDED WHILE DRIVING - DIDNT GO FLAT - JUST EXPLODED AND WERE UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. (TIRESIZE: 225/75R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 225/75R16 )
20000124ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
WHEN CONSUMER DRIVES HE SMELLS DIESEL FUMES. HEADLIGHT AND INTERIOR LIGHTS HESITATE WHEN THEY ARE FIRST TURNED ON. TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT CORRECTLY. DRIVELINE HAS TOO MUCH SLACK. DOORS RATTLE. RUBBER TRIM AROUND BACK DOOR IS COMING OFF. HEATER SWITCH IS BAD. LOUD EXHAUST LEAK AFTER STARTING THE TRUCK IN THE MORNING. ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER. *AK *ML
20000124POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
WHEN CONSUMER DRIVES HE SMELLS DIESEL FUMES. HEADLIGHT AND INTERIOR LIGHTS HESITATE WHEN THEY ARE FIRST TURNED ON. TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT CORRECTLY. DRIVELINE HAS TOO MUCH SLACK. DOORS RATTLE. RUBBER TRIM AROUND BACK DOOR IS COMING OFF. HEATER SWITCH IS BAD. LOUD EXHAUST LEAK AFTER STARTING THE TRUCK IN THE MORNING. ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER. *AK *ML
20000124STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
WHEN CONSUMER DRIVES HE SMELLS DIESEL FUMES. HEADLIGHT AND INTERIOR LIGHTS HESITATE WHEN THEY ARE FIRST TURNED ON. TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT CORRECTLY. DRIVELINE HAS TOO MUCH SLACK. DOORS RATTLE. RUBBER TRIM AROUND BACK DOOR IS COMING OFF. HEATER SWITCH IS BAD. LOUD EXHAUST LEAK AFTER STARTING THE TRUCK IN THE MORNING. ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER. *AK *ML
20000124VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
WHEN CONSUMER DRIVES HE SMELLS DIESEL FUMES. HEADLIGHT AND INTERIOR LIGHTS HESITATE WHEN THEY ARE FIRST TURNED ON. TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT CORRECTLY. DRIVELINE HAS TOO MUCH SLACK. DOORS RATTLE. RUBBER TRIM AROUND BACK DOOR IS COMING OFF. HEATER SWITCH IS BAD. LOUD EXHAUST LEAK AFTER STARTING THE TRUCK IN THE MORNING. ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER. *AK *ML
20000124POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN CONSUMER DRIVES HE SMELLS DIESEL FUMES. HEADLIGHT AND INTERIOR LIGHTS HESITATE WHEN THEY ARE FIRST TURNED ON. TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT CORRECTLY. DRIVELINE HAS TOO MUCH SLACK. DOORS RATTLE. RUBBER TRIM AROUND BACK DOOR IS COMING OFF. HEATER SWITCH IS BAD. LOUD EXHAUST LEAK AFTER STARTING THE TRUCK IN THE MORNING. ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER. *AK *ML
19990201SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SEAT BELT RECTRACTORS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BE LOOSE AND THE PASSENGER TO MANUALLY FED IT INTO RETRACTOR.
19981210SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
INTERMITTENTLY, THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUCNTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND PEDAL GOING TO THE FLOOR. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
19981201EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT
DRIVER IS NOT ABLE TO SEE IF THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT IS BLINKING DURING THE DAY TIME AND VERY LITTLE DURING THE NIGHT TIME. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS. DEALERSHIP NOT ABLE TO SOLVE PROBLEM. *AK
19980322SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
FORD REMOVED HEAD RESTRAINTS FROM THE REAR SEATS OF THE NEW MODELS. *AK
19980316AIR BAGS
WANTS INSTALLMENT OF AN AIR BAG ON-FF SWITCH SINCE CHILD RIDES IN FRONT SEAT.
Compare 1998FORDF-350 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 8 Open
EA26001Engineering AnalysisOpen
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
PE25020Preliminary EvaluationOpen
Timing Belt Failure
DP25001Defect PetitionOpen
Underbody shields detachment
PE25007Preliminary EvaluationOpen
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
PE25002Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1998 FORD F-350 have?▼
The 1998 FORD F-350 has 16 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 FORD F-350?▼
The most-complained component for the 1998 FORD F-350 is TIRES with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT.
Is the 1998 FORD F-350 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.