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
What owners actually said
576 reports
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 · Aug 19, 2002
Air BagsCrash
WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 40MPH ON HIGHWAY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER VEHICLE HIT A PATCH OF WATER THAT WAS IN A PUDDLE, AND VEHICLE HYDROPLANED, AND FLIPPED FIVE TIMES. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8016671
Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE ABS LOCKS UP AND SKIDS EVERY MORNING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED AND EVERY TIME IT IS DRIVEN IN THE RAIN. THE DEALER AND MECHANICS HAVE BOTH VERIFIED THAT THE BRAKES WORK FINE. THE PROBLEM IS DIFFICULT TO DEMONSTRATE. WHEN THE BRAKES WARM UP THEY OPERATE FINE. *JG
NHTSA ODI #786421
Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2002
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH THROTTLE STICKS OPEN AND VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND TOOK OFF. DRIVER FIRMLY HELD BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND SHIFT VEHICLE INTO NETURAL TO GAIN CONTROL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFROMATION.
NHTSA ODI #8015334
Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8014866
Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2002
Air Bags
AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. - NO ACCIDENTS/BUMPS/HITS . TRUCK ONLY HAS 56,000 MILES. WHAT'S THE PROBLEM ON THIS. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY FOR A COMPANY DEFECT. I HAVE READ THE COMPLAINTS INVOLVING THE AIRBAGS, DON'T YOU THINK THERE IS A PROBLEM. ONE DAY SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM..............*JB
NHTSA ODI #764717
Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2002
Air BagsCrash
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL AND A ROLL OVER COLLISIONS OF 30-40 MPH, AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8013966
Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND WITH NO WARNING ENGINE SURGES, AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN.DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8013867
Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2002
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING MY 98 FORD RANGER AT HIWAY SPEED WHEN THE TRANSMISSION CASE AND TRANSFER CASE EXPLODED. IT APPEARED AS THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION HAD LOCKED UP FOR NO REASON AT ALL. WHEN IT LOCKED UP IT SOUNDED JUST LIKE A TIRE HAD BLOWN OUT. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM THAT I WAS OUT OF TIME ON M…
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I WAS DRIVING MY 98 FORD RANGER AT HIWAY SPEED WHEN THE TRANSMISSION CASE AND TRANSFER CASE EXPLODED. IT APPEARED AS THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION HAD LOCKED UP FOR NO REASON AT ALL. WHEN IT LOCKED UP IT SOUNDED JUST LIKE A TIRE HAD BLOWN OUT. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM THAT I WAS OUT OF TIME ON MY WARRANTY BUT, I WASN'T OVER ON THE ALLOWED MILAGE. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE QUITE SURE IF MY TRUCK DIDN'T HAVE OBVIOUS ABUSE THAT FORD WOULD STILL COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER THEY DISASSEMBLED MY TRANSMISSION THEY TOLD ME THAT IT LOOKED LIKE I HAD PUT IT IN PARK WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIWAY, WHICH IS TOTALLY RIDICULOUS. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF. FORD DECIDED NOT TO HELP WITH THE REPAIR BILL BECAUSE OF WHAT THE DEALER HAD TOLD THEM. I GUESS THE BOTTOM LINE IS, IF THE TRANSMISSION HAD COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AT THAT SPEED, INSTEAD OF BLOWING APART, THEY COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERAL INJURIES BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A SIX LANE HIWAY. THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT THIS WAS DUE TO SOME KIND OF PART FAILURE. I WAS JUST DRIVING ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN IT WENT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #764000
Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2002
Tires
CONSUMER WENT IN FOR HIS REPLACEMENT TIRES FOR RECALL 00T005, THE TIRES BEING REPLACED WERE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, CONSUMER IS UNHAPPY THAT THE REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE NOT SIMILAR REPLACEMENTS, GENERAL AMERI 550 AS P235/70R16 WERE USED AS THE REPLACEMENTS. *SLC
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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