- The problem
- 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."
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the steering column shift tube and, if so equipped, to have the dso park brake linkage adjusted.
Vehicle safety record
1998 Ford B800 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 1998 Ford B800 with NHTSA, most often about the transmission & drivetrain (3) and the visibility & wipers (1). It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in May 1997 for the gear position indication (prndl).
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical B800 year, for its age
#195 most complained-about 1998 vehicle
- Complaints
- 6
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1998 Ford B800 problems
Share of all 6 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1998 Ford B800 recalls 1
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
What owners say
Be the first B800 owner to share.
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
6 complaints about the 1998 Ford B800
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
TRANSMISSION--1ST AND REVERSE GEAR.
TRANSMISSION--BORG WAWRNER T45. STUCK IN REVERSE.
POWER WINDOW NOISY.
ARM REST IS TOO HIGH.
Audio and console control system--replaced wiring, speakers, and radio system 4 times.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Ford B800: every year compared
All B800 years1998 Ford B800 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 Ford B800 | 6 | 1 | F | |
| 1998 Ford Contour | 861 | 12 | F | Compare |
| 1998 Ford Crown Victoria | 134 | 10 | F | Compare |
| 1998 Ford Club Wagon | 28 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 1998 Ford Aerostar | 4 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1998 Ford Bronco | 2 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1998 Ford B Series | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1998 Ford Aeromax | 1 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 1998 Ford AT9513 | 1 | 1 | - | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1998 Ford B800
Does the 1998 Ford B800 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1998 Ford B800: gear position indication (prndl) (May 1997). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Ford B800?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the transmission & drivetrain (3), visibility & wipers (1), body, doors & structure (1).
How many complaints has the 1998 Ford B800 had?
6 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on September 8, 1999 and the latest on September 8, 1999. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1998 Ford B800 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 16 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Ford B800 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Ford B800 years have the most complaints?
1998 (6), 1995 (3), 1996 (1). See every Ford B800 year compared.
What should I do if my 1998 Ford B800 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data