Carrier/rack problems of the 1998 Ford F-150

Nine problems related to carrier/rack have been reported for the 1998 Ford F-150. The most recently reported issues are listed below.

1 Carrier/rack problem

Failure Date: 05/03/2001

While driving 30-35 mph cable that holds spare tire snapped, tire bounced down the road and hit another vehicle. Damage to vehicle $ 1500.

2 Carrier/rack problem

Failure Date: 04/20/2000

Spare tire cable broke while driveing causing a spare tire to fall off.

3 Carrier/rack problem

Failure Date: 10/10/1999

Pulled out onto the highway, travelling 10mph, and heard a loud noise. Turned vehicle around, and saw spare tire laying in the middle of the road. Contacted a dealer, dealer indicated vehicle was out of warranty. Also, cable which controls the spare tire will loosen, allowing cable to rub or break, even if it is fully tightened during normal operation.

4 Carrier/rack problem

Failure Date: 04/12/1999

While driving at 20 mph the cable broke, causing the emergency spare tire to pop off, and the consumer lost the spare tire.

5 Carrier/rack problem

Failure Date: 11/02/1998

The location of the spare tire which is underneath the vehicle mounted against a steel frame, rubs against tire wall due to the vibration of the vehicle when driving, this may cause a tire blow out if spare tire is used. The consumer stated that this has nothing to do with the tire manufacturer but is a truck problem. Ford needs to replace these tires and install rubber cushing on the steel frame to prevent this problem.

6 Carrier/rack problem

When spare tire was removed at just under three years after purchase it was found to be eroded in eight places where it had rubbed against the carriage assembly. The worn areas were deep enough to render the spare unsafe. The dealesr was contacted and although the service manager admitted there was a design flaw in the carrier assembly he refused to replace the tire.

7 Carrier/rack problem

Consumer stated while traveling and without any warning, the vehicles spare tire chain broke causing the spare tire to fall off. Nlm.

8 Carrier/rack problem

While driving spare tire cable located under bed of truck broke, causing tire to fall off into traffic, nearly causing a collision. Please give any further details.

9 Carrier/rack problem

Failure of spare tire prior to required use due to spare tire carrier brackets cutting into sidewall.


Other Equipment related problems of the 1998 Ford F-150


F-150 Service Bulletins
F-150 Safety Recalls
F-150 Defect Investigations