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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

Tires complaints

136 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2001
Tires

FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS AT TIRES WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 1998, FORD, RANGER, AND TIRES HAD 49000 MILES ON THEM. CONSUMER HAD NOTICED TREAD SEPARATION FROM OUTER SIDEWALL WHERE TREAD MET SIDEWALL. P265/75R15, DOT W2B1PK. *AK 2 FIRESTONE DEALERS AND 1 FORD DEALER STATED CONSUMER SHOULD REPLACE ALL TIRES, 1 OTHER FIRESTO…

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FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS AT TIRES WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 1998, FORD, RANGER, AND TIRES HAD 49000 MILES ON THEM. CONSUMER HAD NOTICED TREAD SEPARATION FROM OUTER SIDEWALL WHERE TREAD MET SIDEWALL. P265/75R15, DOT W2B1PK. *AK 2 FIRESTONE DEALERS AND 1 FORD DEALER STATED CONSUMER SHOULD REPLACE ALL TIRES, 1 OTHER FIRESTONE DEALER STATED TIRE CRACKING WAS OZONE CRACKING AND THAT THE TIRES WERE OKAY, CONSUMER REPLACED TIRES AT HIS COST. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #886902

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2001
Tires

FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TUOLPS, P235/75R15, EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CONSUMER STATES THE STEEL WAS SHOWING THROUGH ONE OF THE TIRES, THESE TIRES WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #560810

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2001
Tires

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 M.P.H. TIRE COLLAPSED. I. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2FC1P4228 TIRESIZE: P225/70R14)

NHTSA ODI #741716

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2001
Tires

DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE JUST SEPARATED AS I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. I NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. I FEEL THAT IF TRAFFIC WERE HEAVIER AT THE TIME I WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY VEHICLE SWERVED VERY ABRUPTLY WHEN THE TIRE BLEW. IT WAS MY SPARE TIRE THAT COULDN'T HAVE HAD MORE THAN 3000 MILES ON IT.…

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DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE JUST SEPARATED AS I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. I NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. I FEEL THAT IF TRAFFIC WERE HEAVIER AT THE TIME I WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY VEHICLE SWERVED VERY ABRUPTLY WHEN THE TIRE BLEW. IT WAS MY SPARE TIRE THAT COULDN'T HAVE HAD MORE THAN 3000 MILES ON IT. I AM VERY CONCERNED WITH THE REST OF THE TIRES ON MY TRUCK. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2HL1PY138 TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)

NHTSA ODI #741002

Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2001
Tires

NOTICED HAIR LINE CRACKS WHERE TREAD MEETS TIRE, ON A 1998,FORD, RANGER; ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, TIRE SIZE P235/70R15, DOT# W2HL1PY138. TIRE CENTER NOTIFIED, AND UNWILLING TO HELP IN THIS MATTER. TIRE AVAILABLE FOR ANALYSIS. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #880399

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2001
Tires

INSIDE/OUTSIDE EDGES OF FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES P235/70R16 ARE SHOWING EXCESSIVE WEAR, WAS HAVING STEERING CONTROL PROBLEMS & VEHICLE WAS VIBRATING. TOOK VEHICLE TO FIRESTONE RETAILER. LEFT TIRES ALONE REPLACED WITH ANOTHER BRAND OF TIRES. DOT VN08 *SLC

NHTSA ODI #878380

Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2000
Tires

TIRE WAS LOW ON AIR, AND THE SIDEWALL WAS PEELED BACK TO THE RIM.*AK (DOT NUMBER: VN08IPU TIRESIZE: 235/70R16)

NHTSA ODI #737928

Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2000
TiresCrash

FIRESTONE WILDERNESS HT TIRE P225/70R15 DOT W2UU1P0069 WAS CAUSING A NOISE, SO CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO SEE RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, FIRESTONE STATED THEY WOULD REPLACE 1 TIRE, HOWEVER CONSUMER STATES ALL TIRES ARE STARTING TO EXPERIENCE SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH TREAD, FIRESTONE WILL NOT ASSIST UNLESS TIRES ARE …

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FIRESTONE WILDERNESS HT TIRE P225/70R15 DOT W2UU1P0069 WAS CAUSING A NOISE, SO CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO SEE RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, FIRESTONE STATED THEY WOULD REPLACE 1 TIRE, HOWEVER CONSUMER STATES ALL TIRES ARE STARTING TO EXPERIENCE SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH TREAD, FIRESTONE WILL NOT ASSIST UNLESS TIRES ARE ON A RECALL LIST. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #876458

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2000
TiresCrashInjury

THE VEHICLE WENT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD TO AVOID AN ONCOMING VEHICLE IN MY LANE. I CORRECTED MY VEHICLE TO COME BACK ONTO THE ROADWAY AND WHEN I TURNED BACK TO THE RIGHT, THE RIGHT FRON TIRE BLEW AND THE WEIGHT SHIFTEN FROM THE WEAK SPRINGS IN THE REAR, ROLLING MY VEHICLE FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL WAS ON AT…

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THE VEHICLE WENT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD TO AVOID AN ONCOMING VEHICLE IN MY LANE. I CORRECTED MY VEHICLE TO COME BACK ONTO THE ROADWAY AND WHEN I TURNED BACK TO THE RIGHT, THE RIGHT FRON TIRE BLEW AND THE WEIGHT SHIFTEN FROM THE WEAK SPRINGS IN THE REAR, ROLLING MY VEHICLE FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL WAS ON AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. ALTHOUGH THE TIRES WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, THEY WERE OVERSIZED (16 INCH, OFF-ROAD PACKAGE) AND UNSAFE FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE 16 INCH TIRES ARE NO LONGER BEING PUT ONTO RANGERS. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VD TIRESIZE: P235/70R16)

NHTSA ODI #737679

Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2000
Tires

DRIVER'S REAR FIRESTONE WILDERNESS HT OWL TIRE BLEWOUT WHILE TRAVELING 60MPH.TIRES HAD 8200 MILES ON THEM. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE WITHOUT ACCIDENT OR INJURIES. TIRE SIZE P225/70R15, DOT# UNKNOWN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #876112

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