The 1998 Ford F-150 has 6 recalls, the most serious including a risk of wheel separation, a fuel tank fire hazard, and a braking concern that can increase stopping distances.
Several recalls involve fire and fuel system risks. On 4-wheel drive models, an overstressed rear leaf spring can fracture and puncture the fuel tank, causing a fuel leak that can ignite. Separately, corroding fuel tank mounting straps can fail, allowing fuel lines to separate from the tank or the tank itself to drag on the ground. On the mechanical side, lug nuts may not clamp tightly enough to hold the wheel securely against the hub, which can lead to the studs fatiguing and a wheel coming off while driving. Trucks equipped with the 4.2L engine and registered in cold-weather states also have a concern where the accelerator pedal assembly can stick or resist in low temperatures, increasing brake pedal effort and extending stopping distance. There is also a transmission concern where a shift cable can pull free of its bracket, potentially trapping the truck in park or interfering with the neutral start function. A lower-severity recall applies to certain vehicles originally sold in Canada and later imported to the United States, where the daytime running lights emit more brightness than U.S. regulations permit.
