Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix
1997 vs 1998 FORD F-150
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21
Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.
First 347 months on market for each model year
Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026
Age-matched reports
▼ 49.8% fewer reports in the equal exposure window
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21
Component share shift
Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.
View component share data as a table
| Component | 1997 share | 1998 share | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|
| FUEL SYSTEM | 8.8% | 15.1% | ▲ 6.3 pts larger share |
| ENGINE | 18.9% | 13.0% | ▼ 6.0 pts smaller share |
| SUSPENSION | 6.8% | 9.3% | ▲ 2.6 pts larger share |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 6.5% | 5.3% | ▼ 1.3 pts smaller share |
| STRUCTURE | 8.2% | 9.4% | ▲ 1.2 pts larger share |
| WHEELS | 4.3% | 3.4% | ▼ 0.9 pts smaller share |
| POWER TRAIN | 4.5% | 5.3% | ▲ 0.8 pts larger share |
| VISIBILITY | 4.9% | 4.2% | ▼ 0.6 pts smaller share |
| STEERING | 6.8% | 6.3% | ▼ 0.5 pts smaller share |
| SEAT BELTS | 1.3% | 0.9% | ▼ 0.4 pts smaller share |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 7.5% | 7.1% | ▼ 0.4 pts smaller share |
| TIRES | 5.6% | 5.3% | ▼ 0.3 pts smaller share |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 7.8% | 7.6% | ▼ 0.2 pts smaller share |
| AIR BAGS | 3.0% | 2.8% | ▼ 0.2 pts smaller share |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1.0% | 0.9% | ▼ 0.2 pts smaller share |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | not reported | 0.1% | ▲ 0.1 pts larger share |
| PARKING BRAKE | 0.2% | 0.2% | ▲ 0.1 pts larger share |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 71.6% | 76.7% | ▲ 5.1 pts larger share |
NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22
Recall campaigns
Campaign components: EQUIPMENT, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, POWER TRAIN, SEAT BELTS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, STEERING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, and WHEELS
Campaign components: EQUIPMENT, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, and WHEELS
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21
Safety signals
- ◆ Fires
- 261 → 91
- ◆ Injuries
- 121 → 53