Illustration4WD STOPPED WORKING SOME TIME AGO, SERVO/ACTUATOR SEEMED TO BE FREE, RECENTLY STARTED MAKING GRINDING NOISES IN THE FRONT RIGHT, SOUNDS LIKE HUB IS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. SORT OF POPS OUT WHEN COMING TO A STOP HVAC DOES NOT WORK, FAN SPEED ONLY INTERIOR COURTESY STOPPED WORKING
1998 Ford Ranger
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Ranger years
Owner complaints for the 1998 Ford Ranger are substantially higher than the model-year median of 144.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Ranger years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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: 109 of 576 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.
- Tires. Review the 136 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 71 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
66 crash reports29 fire reports34 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
29 reportsMY FUSE #27 FOR BACKUP LIGHTS AND THE O/D KEEPS BLOWING OUT AND NOW THE O/D LIGHT FLASHES SOMETIMES I PULLED THE COVER OFF OF THE STEERING COLUMN BUT THE O/D CORD WASN'T PINCHED OR DAMAGED ALSO NO APPEARANCE OF ANY WIRE TOUCHING ANYTHING
TURN SIGNALS FAILURE AT TIMES, DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. *TR
UPON ACTIVATING TURN SIGNAL ON A DARK MORNING, THE HEADLIGHTS COMPLETELY FAILED. ACTIVATING THE DIM/BRIGHT LEVER PROVIDED INTERMITTENT ACTIVATION. UPON RELEASE OF THE DIM/BRIGHT FUNCTION THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT REMAIN ON IN EITHER DIM OR BRIGHT MODE. OTHER USERS OF VEHICLE REPORT COMPLETE HEADLIGHT FAILURE. THEY TOO …
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UPON ACTIVATING TURN SIGNAL ON A DARK MORNING, THE HEADLIGHTS COMPLETELY FAILED. ACTIVATING THE DIM/BRIGHT LEVER PROVIDED INTERMITTENT ACTIVATION. UPON RELEASE OF THE DIM/BRIGHT FUNCTION THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT REMAIN ON IN EITHER DIM OR BRIGHT MODE. OTHER USERS OF VEHICLE REPORT COMPLETE HEADLIGHT FAILURE. THEY TOO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RESTORE HEADLIGHT FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY AFTER SEVERAL FRANTIC SECONDS OPERATING THE LIGHT SWITCH OR THE DIMMING LEVER WHILE TRAVELING IN THE DARK. *TR
PARKED OUT ON THE STREET IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE, CAUGHT ON FIRE AROUND 9 PM. FIRE TRUCKS CAME AND PUT IT OUT AND KNOCKED ON THE DOOR AROUND 9:25 PM. *TR
TRUCK WAS PARKED AT THE VETERINARIAN AND I HAD GONE INSIDE WITH MY TWO DOGS. AFTER ABOUT 15 OR 20 MINUTES SOMEONE OUTSIDE WAS BLOWING THERE CAR HORN. THE RECEPTIONIST LOOKED OUT AND THEN TOLD ME MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. I RAN OUTSIDE AND SMOKE AND FLAMES WERE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WE USED FIRE EXTINGUISHERS BUT THAT DID V…
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TRUCK WAS PARKED AT THE VETERINARIAN AND I HAD GONE INSIDE WITH MY TWO DOGS. AFTER ABOUT 15 OR 20 MINUTES SOMEONE OUTSIDE WAS BLOWING THERE CAR HORN. THE RECEPTIONIST LOOKED OUT AND THEN TOLD ME MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. I RAN OUTSIDE AND SMOKE AND FLAMES WERE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WE USED FIRE EXTINGUISHERS BUT THAT DID VERY LITTLE. THE FIRE TRUCK GOT THERE AND GOT THE FIRE PUT OUT. THEY CUT THE HOOD OPEN TO MAKE SURE THE FIRE WAS OUT.
THE 1998 FORD RANGER WAS PART OF AN AUGUST 2007 RECALL BECAUSE OF A CRUISE CONTROL WIRING HARNESS ISSUE. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD SINCE THEN, THAT NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE, DON'T PARK VEHICLE NEAR A STRUCTURE, BRING THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE CRUISE CONTROL DISCONNECTED, AND PARTS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE IN JANUARY. WELL, IT'S NEARLY GROUND H…
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THE 1998 FORD RANGER WAS PART OF AN AUGUST 2007 RECALL BECAUSE OF A CRUISE CONTROL WIRING HARNESS ISSUE. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD SINCE THEN, THAT NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE, DON'T PARK VEHICLE NEAR A STRUCTURE, BRING THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE CRUISE CONTROL DISCONNECTED, AND PARTS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE IN JANUARY. WELL, IT'S NEARLY GROUND HOG'S DAY, AND GUESS WHAT? NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO SUPPLY PARTS. FORD NO DOUBT IS STILL BUILDING NEW VEHICLES AND PUTTING WIRING HARNESSES IN THEM, BUT THEY DON'T TAKE THE RECALL SERIOUSLY. NO WONDER THEY'RE NOT A VIABLE AUTOMOBILE ENTITY ANY MORE. BRING ON THE EUROPEANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR
MY 1998 FORD RANGER CAUGHT FIRE ON JULY 31, 2006. THE TRUCK HAD BEEN PARKED IN FRONT OF OUR HOUSE AND THE ENGINE HAD BEEN TURNED OFF. MINUTES LATER, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AND A WATCHFUL NEIGHBOR CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. NOW, THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE IS COMPLETELY CHARRED, PROPERTY ON THE HOUSE IS …
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MY 1998 FORD RANGER CAUGHT FIRE ON JULY 31, 2006. THE TRUCK HAD BEEN PARKED IN FRONT OF OUR HOUSE AND THE ENGINE HAD BEEN TURNED OFF. MINUTES LATER, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AND A WATCHFUL NEIGHBOR CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. NOW, THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE IS COMPLETELY CHARRED, PROPERTY ON THE HOUSE IS DAMAGED, AND THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. I HAVE CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND I WILL HAVE A FIRE INSPECTOR DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. FURTHER INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET HAS LED ME TO BELIEVE THE FIRE MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A FAULTY SPEED CONTROL SWITCH PRESENT ON MANY FORD VEHICLES. THE NHTSA IS CURRENTLY CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION ON THIS MATTER, AS IT HAS ALREADY RECEIVED OVER 550 COMPLAINTS FROM SIMILAR INCIDENTS. PLEASE MAKE A REPORT OF THIS COMPLAINT AND CONTACT ME FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. THANK YOU. *NM
I HAVE HAD 3 DOOR SWITCHES REPLACED ON MY RANGER DUE TO THE "DOOR AJAR" LIGHT COMING ON. I HAVE ALSO TALKED TO OTHER PEOPLE W/FORDS AND THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. MY DOME LIGHT WILL STAY ON, AS DOES THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT AND SOMETIMES THE HORN STARTS BLOWING. *JB
DOOR AJAR SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS; CAUSES DOME LIGHT TO STAY ILLUMINATED; HAD TO REPLACE SWITCH INSIDE DOOR ASSEMBLY. *NM
Official recalls
507V336000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Aug 3, 2007
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
99V204000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
Jul 28, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ELECTRIC VEHICLES. THE TRANSAXLE MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH THE PARK DETENT SPRING MISALIGNED. IF THE SPRING IS MISALIGNED, THE PARK MECHANISM MAY NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE PARK MECHANISM DOES NOT ENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE OPERATOR HAS NOT APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL FREE AS IF IN NEUTRAL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSAXLE AND ANY WITH MISALIGNED PARK DETENT SPRINGS WILL BE REPLACED.
99V062001 · Vehicle Speed Control
Mar 30, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1997-1999 RHD EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MAY 29, 1996 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEERS EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC OR 5.0L ENGINES OR 1998-1999 RANGERS EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L, 3.0L FFV/EFI OR 4.0L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM JANUARY 5, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 MUSTANGS EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L, 4.6L 2-VALVE OR 4-VALVE ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1999 F250/F350/F450/F550 (OVER 8,500 LBS.) TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; AND 1999 F-53 STRIPPED CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999. A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE CAN INTERFERE WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SERVO PULLEY AND NOT ALLOW THE THROTTLE TO RETURN TO IDLE WHEN DISENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS USED AND THIS CONDITION IS PRESENT, A STUCK THROTTLE COULD RESULT, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLES. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE REPLACEMENT CABLES ARE NOT AVAILABLE. CUSTOMERS ARE BEING ADVISED NOT TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM UNTIL A REPLACEMENT CAN BE MADE.
98V021000 · Equipment:other:labels
Feb 2, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH OFF-ROAD OPTION. THE TIRE AND RIM IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION IS INCORRECT ON THESE VEHICLES. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE 16" TIRES COULD NOT BE INFLATED ON THE SPECIFIED 15X7.0J RIM.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE SENT A SAFETY CERTIFICAITON LABEL PARTIAL OVERLAY WHICH WILL CONTAIN THE CORRECT RIM SIZE, AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR AFFIXING THIS LABEL TO THE VEHICLE. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THEIR FORD DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM.
97V186001 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Oct 28, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L ENGINES. THE FLEXIBLE SECTION OF THE CHASSIS MOUNTED FUEL LINE THAT CONNECTS TO THE ENGINE WAS ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE LINE COULD CONTACT THE MANIFOLD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE FUEL LINE, OR IN SOME CASES, CAUSE A FUEL LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL CLIP TO HOLD THE FUEL LINE IN THE INTENDED DESIGN POSITION.
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
1PE99045 · Steering Knuckle Separations
Opened Jul 6, 1999 · Closed Oct 29, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available