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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 →

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

Equipment complaints

7 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2003
Equipment

REPLACE HEATER PLUNTUM BECAUSE HEAT EXCHANGE DOOR BROKEN. IT IS A BAD PART BECAUSE IT WAS REPLACE WITH A NEWER IMPROVED PART.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10031140

Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2002
Equipment

THE JACK WHICH COMES AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT WITH THIS VEHICLE, WHEN FULLY EXTENDED TO ITS MAXIMUM HEIGHT, IS INCAPABLE OF ELEVATING THE CHASSIS TO A HEIGHT SUFFICIENT TO INSTALL A SPARE TIRE. I HAD MY FIRST FLAT TIRE LAST NIGHT AND FOUND THIS OUT. THE SPARE I WAS TRYING TO MOUNT WAS THE ORIGINAL SPARE WHICH CAME WITH THE TRUCK,…

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THE JACK WHICH COMES AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT WITH THIS VEHICLE, WHEN FULLY EXTENDED TO ITS MAXIMUM HEIGHT, IS INCAPABLE OF ELEVATING THE CHASSIS TO A HEIGHT SUFFICIENT TO INSTALL A SPARE TIRE. I HAD MY FIRST FLAT TIRE LAST NIGHT AND FOUND THIS OUT. THE SPARE I WAS TRYING TO MOUNT WAS THE ORIGINAL SPARE WHICH CAME WITH THE TRUCK, AND IT WAS INFLATED PROPERLY. THE JACK WAS MOUNTED PROPERLY PER THE WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS ATTACHED TO IT, AND AT FULL ELEVATION THE CHASSIS OF THE TRUCK WAS STILL ABOUT 3 INCHES TOO LOW FOR THE WHEEL STUDS TO LINE UP WITH THE WHEEL. THE TRUCK WAS PARKED ON A LEVEL CONCRETE PAVEMENT, AND I HAD A CLERK FROM AN AUTO PARTS STORE ASSISTING ME WITH CHANGING THE TIRE/WHEEL. IF I HAD GOTTEN THIS FLAT ON SOME SPARSELY TRAVELLED RURAL ROAD IN THE DESERT 25 MILES FROM HERE, I COULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED AND DIED OF HEAT EXHAUSTION OR DEHYDRATION. DOESN'T THE MANUFACTURER HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO SUPPLY A JACK WHICH IS MECHANICALLY CAPABLE OF LIFTING THE CHASSIS OF THE VEHICLE TO A SUFFICIENT HEIGHT TO ALLOW FOR THE MOUNTING OF A SPARE TIRE/WHEEL? NLM

NHTSA ODI #767703

Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2001
Equipment

UPON HAVING A FLAT TIRE I DISCOVERED THAT THE JACK WAS NOT THE PROPER SIZE FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS A 4WD AND THE JACK WOULD NOT RAISE THE VEHICLE HIGH ENOUGH TO CHANGE THE TIRE. THIS COULD CAUSE SOMEONE TO USE UNSAFE METHODS TO CHANGE THE TIRE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #756024

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2001
Equipment

THE CABLE THAT SUPPORTS THE SPARE TIRE BROKE AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THE FROMT OF THE SPARE DROPED DOWN CONTACTING THE ROAD WHICH RESULTED IN THE REAR OF THE TRUCK BEING LIFTED IN THE AIR. LUCKLY THIS HAPPENED ON A SECLUDED SECTION OF THE ROAD AND THERE WAS NO OTHER TRAFFIC. I CAN'T EMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THIS H…

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THE CABLE THAT SUPPORTS THE SPARE TIRE BROKE AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THE FROMT OF THE SPARE DROPED DOWN CONTACTING THE ROAD WHICH RESULTED IN THE REAR OF THE TRUCK BEING LIFTED IN THE AIR. LUCKLY THIS HAPPENED ON A SECLUDED SECTION OF THE ROAD AND THERE WAS NO OTHER TRAFFIC. I CAN'T EMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THIS HAD OCCURED ON A BUISY EXPRESSWAY DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I CALLED THE DEALER SINCE I WAS RETURNING HOME AFTER HAVING ALL FOUR TIRES REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL PROGRAM. THE DEALER INFORMED ME I SHOULD CALL FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. CUSTOMER SERVICE THANKED ME FOR THE CALL BUT SAID THERE WAS NO PROGRAM THAT WOULD COVER THE COST OF REPLACING THE FAULTY CABLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #750056

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 1999
Equipment

CARGO BED WAS NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY. DEALER SAID THAT THEY AGREED. AFTER NOT BEING ABLE TO REPAIR VEHICLE, DEALER INDICATED THERE WAS NOTHING TO BE DONE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #834665

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 1998
Equipment

AIR CONDITION CONDENSOR AND COMPRESSOR FAILED, CAUSING HESITATION OF THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI #542072

Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 1998
Equipment

RECALL FOR SAFETY COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATION LABEL IS NOT BEING GRANTED BY DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI #541081

Official recalls

5

07V336000 · 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

1

PE99045 · Steering Knuckle Separations

Opened Jul 6, 1999 · Closed Oct 29, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available