98' FORD RANGER: HAS A CRACKED FRAME ON THE REAR RIGHT SIDE. TRUCK MAKES LOUD NOISES WHEN DRIVING AND I AM AFRAID IT MAY BECOME WORSE OVER TIME OR COMPLETELY BREAK DOWN IN UNSAFE SPEEDS. I CAN NOT SELL IT, AS I WAS TRYING TO USE THE MONEY FOR A NEW VEHICLE DUE TO A NEW BABY IN OUR FAMILY. NO ONE WILL BUY SUCH A DEFECTIVE VEHI…
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98' FORD RANGER: HAS A CRACKED FRAME ON THE REAR RIGHT SIDE. TRUCK MAKES LOUD NOISES WHEN DRIVING AND I AM AFRAID IT MAY BECOME WORSE OVER TIME OR COMPLETELY BREAK DOWN IN UNSAFE SPEEDS. I CAN NOT SELL IT, AS I WAS TRYING TO USE THE MONEY FOR A NEW VEHICLE DUE TO A NEW BABY IN OUR FAMILY. NO ONE WILL BUY SUCH A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. ALSO SEAT BELTS WILL NOT STAY LATCHED? ALSO THE INSIDE DOME LIGHT MELTS RIGHT THROUGH THE COVERING, WHERE TEMPERATURES MAKE THE PLASTIC COVER BUBBLE AND MELT.
NHTSA ODI #10383860
197,500 miles · Jan 29, 2009
Seat BeltsCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO TWO OTHER VEHICLES. THE DRIVER WAS EJECTED OUT OF THE REAR WINDOW AND WAS FATALLY INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A POLICE OFFICER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE SAFETY BELT BEING SE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO TWO OTHER VEHICLES. THE DRIVER WAS EJECTED OUT OF THE REAR WINDOW AND WAS FATALLY INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A POLICE OFFICER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE SAFETY BELT BEING SEPARATED. THE CAUSE OF THE SEPARATION WAS CAUSED BY THE SEAT HINGE FAILING, WHICH CUT THE SAFETY BELT. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 197,500. UPDATED 02/24/09. *LJ UPDATED 02/25/09. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10256868
Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2007
Seat BeltsCrashInjury
THE FORD RANGER LOST TRACTION AND SLID ON THE ICE. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK ON IMPACT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY CHILD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH HER HEAD. THIS IS THE SECOND ACCIDENT IN OUR 1998 FORD RANGER THAT THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10180604
Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2001
Seat Belts
PASSENGERS SEATBELTS GO INSIDE OF RETRACTOR, BUT SEATBELTS DOESN'T ATTACH OR SECURE PROPERLY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #894846
Mileage unknown · May 1, 2001
Seat Belts
PASSENGER'S SIDE RESTRAINT WILL NOT RETRACT OUT. PASSENGER IS UNRESTRAINED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #887196
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2001
Seat BeltsCrash
SEAT BELT DOES NOT RESTRAIN. DEALER SAYS IT IS NOT DESIGNED TO RESTRAIN SO OCCUPANTS CAN REACH FOR COFFEE, ETC.
NHTSA ODI #743959
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2000
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrash
DUE TO A CHAIN REACTION ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. ALSO, DRIVER'S SHOULDER SEAT BELT DIDN'T LOCK UP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #860184
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 1999
Seat Belts
DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT TONGUE WILL NOT LATCH OR LOCK IN BECAUSE THE LOCKING DEVICE IS IN THE LOCKED POSITION. THIS CAUSES A LOSS OF PROTECTION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #850823
Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 1999
Seat BeltsWheels
LEFT FRONT WHEEL BECAME UNATTACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS TRAVELING ON EXPRESSWAY RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT. SEAT BELT ALSO BECAME DISCONNECTED AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. NLM
NHTSA ODI #546480
Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 1999
Seat Belts
VEHICLE HAS JUMP SEATS AND ONLY LAP BELTS, NO SHOULDER HARNESS. DEALERSHIP ASSURED US THIS WAS SAFE FOR A SMALL CHILD AT THE TIME LEASE WAS SIGNED. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT MY 40 LB. CHILD IS UNSAFE WITHOUT A SHOULDER HARNESS. PLEASE CONFIRM THIS AS THE MANUFACTURER, FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS GIVING US DIFFICULTY ABOUT DOING A…
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VEHICLE HAS JUMP SEATS AND ONLY LAP BELTS, NO SHOULDER HARNESS. DEALERSHIP ASSURED US THIS WAS SAFE FOR A SMALL CHILD AT THE TIME LEASE WAS SIGNED. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT MY 40 LB. CHILD IS UNSAFE WITHOUT A SHOULDER HARNESS. PLEASE CONFIRM THIS AS THE MANUFACTURER, FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS GIVING US DIFFICULTY ABOUT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT OUR CONCERN. *AK
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
1998 Ford Ranger Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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