1998 Ford F800 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS AND SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS-COWLS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE WELDS THAT ATTACH THE KEY TO THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN MOUNTED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE MAY NOT ADEQUATELY RETAIN THE KEY, ALLOWING THE TRANSMISSION TO BE IN A GEAR OTHER THAN THAT INDICATED ON THE "PRNDL", OR IN SOME CASES, "RNDL."
What could happen: THE DOMESTIC SPECIAL ORDER (DSO) PARK BRAKE MAY NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, OR IN THE VEHICLE MOVING IN AN UNINTENDED DIRECTION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. IN SOME VEHICLES THE DSO PARKING BRAKE MECHANISM ALSO MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ADJUSTED, WHICH CAN RESULT…
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN SHIFT TUBE AND, IF SO EQUIPPED, TO HAVE THE DSO PARK BRAKE LINKAGE ADJUSTED.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1998 F800.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 97V091000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS AND SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS-COWLS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE WELDS THAT ATTACH THE KEY TO THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN MOUNTED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE MAY NOT ADEQUATELY RETAIN THE KEY, ALLOWING THE TRANSMISSION TO BE IN A GEAR OTHER THAN THAT INDICATED ON THE "PRNDL", OR IN SOME CASES, "RNDL."
Consequence: THE DOMESTIC SPECIAL ORDER (DSO) PARK BRAKE MAY NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, OR IN THE VEHICLE MOVING IN AN UNINTENDED DIRECTION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. IN SOME VEHICLES THE DSO PARKING BRAKE MECHANISM ALSO MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ADJUSTED, WHICH CAN RESULT IN THE PARK BRAKE NOT ENGAGING WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN SHIFT TUBE AND, IF SO EQUIPPED, TO HAVE THE DSO PARK BRAKE LINKAGE ADJUSTED.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN JUNE 16, 1997. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
2. Suspension
What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS AND CHASSIS-CABS. AN AUTOMATIC LOCKING FRONT WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTING NUT WAS DAMAGED DURING INSTALLATION OR REMOVAL BY INCORRECT TOOLS OR AN INCORRECT TORQUE SPECIFICATION WAS USED.
What could happen: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE NUT TO ROTATE FREELY AND LOSE TORQUE. IT COULD ROTATE UNTIL IT IS NO LONGER CONNECTED TO THE FRONT SPINDLE AND ALLOW THE FRONT WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTING NUTS WITH CASTLE NUTS AND COTTER PINS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1998 F800.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 98V041000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS AND CHASSIS-CABS. AN AUTOMATIC LOCKING FRONT WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTING NUT WAS DAMAGED DURING INSTALLATION OR REMOVAL BY INCORRECT TOOLS OR AN INCORRECT TORQUE SPECIFICATION WAS USED.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE NUT TO ROTATE FREELY AND LOSE TORQUE. IT COULD ROTATE UNTIL IT IS NO LONGER CONNECTED TO THE FRONT SPINDLE AND ALLOW THE FRONT WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTING NUTS WITH CASTLE NUTS AND COTTER PINS.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN APRIL 15, 1998. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Digital tire pressure gauge
- 1998 Ford F800 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (2), Vehicle Speed Control (1), Engine (1), Lights (1), Steering (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (6)
02/22/2001 · Vehicle Speed Control
BRACKET THAT HOLDS SPRING THROTTLE LINKAGE HAS FALLEN OFF, AND IT WILL HANG IN A WIDE OPEN POSITION. *AK THIS HAS FALLEN OFF TWICE. *SLC
07/24/2000 · Engine · fire
THE PART THAT CAUSED THE FIRE WAS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER WITH FORD MOTOR CO. *AK
09/08/1999 · Lights
REAR BRAKE LIGHT NOT WORKING.
04/19/1999 · Transmission / drivetrain
CLUTCH RELEASE LINKAGE FELL APART, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
01/11/1999 · Steering
CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKS, CAUSING THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE LAMP TO ILLUMINATE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
07/08/1997 · Transmission / drivetrain
RECALL: AUTO TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE/97V091000. THIS COMPANY HAS THREE VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE OF THE RECALL AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS RECALL. DEALER SAID THE HIGHEST MFR NO. IS 97S70. VIN: [XXX], [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR