1998 Ford F-150 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED AT 62 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 80 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V388000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING IDLE FOR APPROXIMATELY EIGHT HOURS WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATED AND CONCLUDED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY WIRING HARNESS. A FIRE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING OR ANY TYPE OF BURNING ODOR FROM THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V388000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) DUE TO THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THE RECALL PERTAINED TO HER SPECIFIC VIN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
ON FRIDAY 1/23/09 AND AROUND 3PM IT WAS REPORTED TO ME THAT MY VEHICLE WAS IN FIRE. THERE WAS A SMALL FIRE IN THE BACK RIGHT AREA IF YOU ARE STANDING DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE CAR, WHICH APPEARED TO BE CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT W/ DAMAGE TO THE WIRING IN THE AREA AND DESTROYED THE BRAKE FLUID CANISTER. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE TO REPORT THIS ISSUE AND WAS INFORMED I WOULD HEAR SOMETHING WITHIN 15 BUSINESS DAYS VIA MAIL. IN LATE 2005 OR EARLY 2006 I BROUGHT THE 1998 F-150 TO SAWGRASS FORD IN SUNRISE, FL TO HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL RECALL LOOKED AT. AT THAT TIME I WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS FINE AND THEY WOULD CALL ONCE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE IN STOCK. I NEVER RECEIVED A CALL AND UNFORTUNATELY I NEVER THOUGHT ANYTHING OF IT AGAIN. WHEN I SPOKE WITH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT THE FIRE THEY FOUND NO RECORD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR THE RECALL INSPECTION. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL. THE DEALER DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR AND DO NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WILL ARRIVE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
MY COMPLAINT IS THAT WE HAVE TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES TO GET THIS RECALL FIXED ON OUR F150 FORD TRUCK. EVERY TIME WE CALL TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PART AND DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY WILL. *TR I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHEY WE CONTINUE TO HAVE LETTER SENT TO US AND THE NEWS IS URGING PEOPLE TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN, IF THERE ARE NO PARTS TO REPLACE IT WITH!!!
1998 FORD F150. CONSUMER COMPLAINT ABOUT FORD RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE HAS BEEN TRYING TO REACH SOMEONE AT FORD ON THE PHONE AND HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. HE BELIEVES THAT THERE SHOULD BE A REAL PERSON TO ANSWER THE PHONE NOT A MACHINE. *KB
I WOKE UP TO A WHOOSHING SOUND AND IMMEDIATELY HEARD BANGING ON MY DOOR WITH MY NEIGHBOR SCREAMING THAT MY FORD F150 WAS ON FIRE. ACCORDING TO THE FIRE CHIEF, THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. OUR CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING PRIOR TO THIS FIRE. THIS MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE IS NOW MELTED TO MY DRIVEWAY AND WE HAVE SOME DAMAGE TO OUR HOME. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL IN MARCH OF 2008. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY PARTS IN OVER A YEAR FROM FORD TO REPAIR THE RECALL. THEY FURTHER STATED THAT FORD DID NOT INFORM THEM WHEN THE PARTS WOULD ARRIVE. THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL TO PREVENT ANY POTENTIAL FIRES. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL THE CONTACT WHEN THE PARTS ARRIVED AND THERE WAS NO NEED TO DISCONNECT THE SPEED CONTROL IN THE INTERIM. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,365.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A FORD RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL IN 2005. HE CALLED THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND THEY STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS DISCONNECTED BECAUSE THE DEALER DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD ARRIVE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AFTER ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF.*CN
1998 FORD EXPEDITION CAUGHT FIRE AS A RESULT OF A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH (ACCORDING TO INSURANCE FIRE INVESTIGATOR) - FORD CLAIMED THEY SENT 3 RECALL NOTICES, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED ANY UNTIL 3 DAYS AFTER THE FIRE - I SUFFERED PERSONAL PROPERTY AND OTHER DAMAGES AND FORD HAS REFUSED LIABILITY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING UNDERNEATH THE HOOD WHILE PARKED. THE CONTACT LIFTED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT FLAMES WERE PRESENT. HE ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A HOSE. WHEN THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS ARRIVED, THEY FINISHED EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CAUSED THE FAILURE. A FIRE AND POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY ASKED FOR THE VIN. THE DEALER THEN CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V388000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. THE DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR FREE DUE TO THE RECALL; HOWEVER, THEY OFFERED TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY SENT NOTIFICATIONS, BUT THE CONTACT NEVER RESPONDED. THE FIRE DAMAGED THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE CRUISE CONTROL AND FUSE BOXES. THERE WAS ALSO PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE DRIVEWAY, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE TIME. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 176,000.
WE OWN A 1998 FORD F-150 THAT WE BOUGHT USED FOR MY SON. MONDAY HE CALLED ME FROM INDIANA WHERE HE IS WORKING AND SAID HIS TRUCK STARTED ON FIRE. THE FIREMAN TOLD HIM ABOUT THE RECALL, WE NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE ON THIS RECALL. NO ONE WANTS TO TOUCH THE TRUCK OR GIVE US AN ESTIMATE BECAUSE OF THE FORD RECALL. HE HAS THE EXPENSE OF A RENTAL CA. HOW DO I HANDLE THIS ISSUE. *AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL WHICH IGNITED SEPARATELY. THERE MAY BE A RECALL BUT THE CONTACTWAS UNFAMILIAR OF WHAT THE CONSEQUENCES WERE IF THE RECALLWAS NOT REPAIRED. THE NECESSARY PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER FROM THE DEALER AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 106,000.*AK
1998 F-150 FORD TRUCK WAS A TOTAL LOSS A TREE FELL ON IT**NAR**CC THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL REGARDING THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. *JB
TL* -THE CONTACT STATED THAT1998 FORD F-150 CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 6 HOURS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED IN A WRITTEN REPORT THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NHTSA RECALL #05V388000 CONCERNING THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER REGARDING THE RECALL IN DECEMBERB 2005 ,AND THEY STATED TO COME BACK IN FEBRUARY 2006 WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT NEVER WENT BACK BECAUSE HE DIDN'T HAVE THE TIME.*AK
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE IDLED LOUDLY AND THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS OCCURRED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ON NORMAL ROADS DURING NORMAL BRAKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE RETAINING CLIP DUE TO A RECALL NHTSA # 98V192000 CONCERNING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL CABLES, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE RETURNING TO THE PARKED VEHICLE, A FIRE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AT THE SERVICE STATION WHERE THE VEHICLE'S GAS WAS FILLED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER # 05V388000 BUT THE REPAIRS WERE NOT MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY THE DEALERSHIP WHO REFUSED TO COVER THE REQUIRED REPAIRS. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT HONOR THE DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE FIRE. UPDATED 11/20/06. *JB
FORD 150 HAD BEEN SITTING IDLE ALL DAY, LAST DRIVEN AT 9 A.M. TO GO TO GROCERY STORE. AT APPROX. 5:15 P.M. ON 10/14/06, A NEIGHBOR KNOCKED ON DOOR AND ASKED IF THAT WAS MY TRUCK ON FIRE. PERSON WALKING DOWN STREET SAID HE LOOKED OVER AND SAW SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER HOOD. BY TIME I GOT OUTSIDE TO TRUCK, FLAMES WERE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND FIRE EXTINGUISHED. ENTIRE ENGINE, TIRES, WINDSHIELD COMPLETELY DESTROYED. CAR TOWED TO SALVAGE YARD. FIRE DEPT. INFORMED ME THAT FORD HAD ISSUED A RECALL FOR SOME F150'S AND SUGGESTED I LOOK TO SEE IF THE MODEL HAD BEEN RECALLED. FORD WEBSITE INDICATES THAT MY VIN# IS A RECALL. FORD CLOSED AT TIME OF INCIDENT. ALSO, FORD CLOSED ON SUNDAY. FORD WILL BE CONTACTED MONDAY MORNING 10/16/06.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED NO PROBLEMS, A RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, #05V388000 ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THEIR VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THEIR LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.
AROUND FEB 2002 MY 1998 F-150 BURNED UP WHILE OFF IN MY DRIVEWAY OF MY FLORIDA HOME. I HAD JUST COME IN AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE 3 OR 4 MINUTES BEFORE WHEN I HAD COME OUTSIDE TO OF ALL THINGS USE THE GARDEN HOSE AND LOOKED OVER TO SEE MY THE RIGHT SIDE (WHEN VIEWED FROM T HE FRONT) OF THE HOOD ON FIRE. I TRIED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT AS I CALLED 911. I WAS ABLE TO KEEP IT TO JUST THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE FIRE FIGHTERS ARRIVED. THE INVESTIGATORS WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE AND WE MOVED ON WITH OUR LIVES. ONLY RECENTLY DID I LEARN OF THE RECALL THAT RELATES TO THE CRUISE CONTROL OF THIS VEHICLE TYPE. I REALIZE THAT AT THIS POINT I PROBABLY HAVE LITTLE RECOURSE AGAINST FORD EXCEPT TO HELP THE GOVERNMENT TAKE NECESSARY ACTION AGAINST THEM. APPARENTLY ACCORDING TO THE WSBTV.COM WEBSITE (ABC IN ATLANTA) FORD KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM IN 1999 AND DID NOTHING ABOUT IT. THE TRUCK WAS TOTALED AND I RECEIVED A FRACTION OF THE MONEY I SHOULD HAVE FOR THE TRUCK AND MY BELONGINGS THAT WERE DAMAGED IN THE FIRE. ALSO I BELIEVE THAT MY INSURANCE WENT UP DUE TO NO FAULT OF MY OWN. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. *JB
MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION CAUGHT ON FIRE AT 4:00 AM BY ITSELF. IT WAS LAST DRIVEN 14 HOURS PRIOR TO CATCHING ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS SO HOT IT MELTED THE HOOD OF THE CAR. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE FIRE INSPECTOR SAID IT STARTED WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS LOCATED.*AK
1998 FORD F-150; FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. TRUCK WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH THE IGNITION TURNED OFF. FIRE STARTED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE NEXT TO THE FIREWALL AREA. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THE CRUISE CONTROL SENSOR, BUT IT SAID PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR UNTIL AFTER FEBRUARY 2006. FIRE MARSHALL OF CYPRESS CREEK VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT WAS AT THE SEEN AND WROTE A REPORT. *NM
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 05V017000 CONCERNING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO CONFIRMED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE . *AK
Trend Over Time
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Common problems reported
Quick Summary
The 1998 Ford F-150 has 92 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL complaints on file. 8 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.