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1988 Ford Ranger

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1988 Ford Ranger do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 144.

About this comparison →
89Owner complaints

Model-year median: 144

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

2Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
27
198535
198650
198789
198873
1989105
1990132
1991
Compare all Ranger years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
32Engine And Engine Cooling
13Power Train
9Seat Belts
9Service Brakes, Hydraulic
9
All reported categories
Fuel System, Gasoline
6Structure
4Visibility
4Steering
3Latches/locks/linkages
2Tires
2Unknown Or Other
2Vehicle Speed Control
2Equipment
1Exterior Lighting
1Seats
1Suspension
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 8 of 89 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports23 fire reports5 injury reports

Visibility complaints

4 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2000
Visibility

BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE MIRRORS FAILED AT ANY SPEED. I HAVE REPLACED THEM TWICE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO TENSION ADJUSTMENT TO PREVENT THE MIRRORS FROM BEING BLOWN BACK TO A USELESS POSITION. I KNOW OF 4 OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. BUT JUST TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD EVERY 1988-1989 FORD RANGER OUTFITTED WITH…

Read full complaint

BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE MIRRORS FAILED AT ANY SPEED. I HAVE REPLACED THEM TWICE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO TENSION ADJUSTMENT TO PREVENT THE MIRRORS FROM BEING BLOWN BACK TO A USELESS POSITION. I KNOW OF 4 OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. BUT JUST TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD EVERY 1988-1989 FORD RANGER OUTFITTED WITH THE BLACK ABS PLASTIC "FLAG" STYLE MIRROR HAS THIS PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #721376

Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2000
Visibility

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN THE REARVIEW MIRROR LOST TENSION AND FELL OFF. CONTACTED DEALER WHO KNEW THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. MIRROR WAS ATTACHED WITH TWO SCREWS. HAS BEEN REPLACED 9 TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #856169

Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 1998
Service Brakes, HydraulicVisibilityFire

DRV DOOR PWR WINDOW WON'T STAY UP\PASS SIDE PWR WINDOW WON'T GO DOWN . REAR DRV SIDE BRAKE SHOES WORN OFF {STUCK IN THE STOP POS ?} CAUSING SMOKE

NHTSA ODI #700270

Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 1996
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

TIRES REPLACED. *SD

NHTSA ODI #504368

Official recalls

1

87V141000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components

Sep 4, 1987

TRUCKS WERE BUILT WITH INCORRECT REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A TENDENCY FOR REAR BRAKE LOCKUP WOULD EXIST PARTICULARLY DURING HEAVY BRAKE APPLICAION WITH A LIGHTLY LOADED TRUCK. ALSO, INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE WOULD BE REQUIRED IF THE BRAKE MODULATION (PUMPING THE BRAKES) IS USED TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE DURING A HARD BRAKE STOP.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: REPLACE REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLIES.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

PE92029 · Whl Separation/torque Loss

Opened Mar 16, 1992 · Closed Aug 31, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

There is no summary currently available

EA90042 · Throttle Sticking

Opened Aug 31, 1990 · Closed Dec 31, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available