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 12, 2000
TiresInjury
INSD WAS TRAVELING ON I-95, CLMT WAS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE INSURED, CLMT GOT TOO CLOSE TO THE INSD, INSD ATTEMPTED TO MOVE OVER TO ANOTHER LANE. THE INSD'S DRVIER SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING THE INSD TO HIT THE WALL. THE ROADS WERE WET DUE TO THE RAIN. THIS VEHICLE HAD FIRESTONE TIRES..MODEL 225/70R14 ALTHOUGHT THESE ARE …
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INSD WAS TRAVELING ON I-95, CLMT WAS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE INSURED, CLMT GOT TOO CLOSE TO THE INSD, INSD ATTEMPTED TO MOVE OVER TO ANOTHER LANE. THE INSD'S DRVIER SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING THE INSD TO HIT THE WALL. THE ROADS WERE WET DUE TO THE RAIN. THIS VEHICLE HAD FIRESTONE TIRES..MODEL 225/70R14 ALTHOUGHT THESE ARE NOT THE TIRES IN QUESTION, HAVE ANY BLOW OUTS BEEN REPORTED. (CLAIM# 59-V210-100) *MW
NHTSA ODI #6900229
Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2000
Power TrainSuspensionTires
FIRESTONE WRANGLER P265 75 R15 TIRES EXPERIENCED EARLY TREAD WEAR SO CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE BALANCED AND ALIGNED MANY TIMES AND PROBLEM NEVER CORRECTED, DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THE PRESSURE OF THE TIRES WERE TOO HIGH FOR LARGE TIRES ON A SMALL TRUCK, ANOTHER DEALER THOUGHT THE PROBLEM TO BE THE RIMS BEING TO SMALL FOR SUCH BIG…
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FIRESTONE WRANGLER P265 75 R15 TIRES EXPERIENCED EARLY TREAD WEAR SO CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE BALANCED AND ALIGNED MANY TIMES AND PROBLEM NEVER CORRECTED, DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THE PRESSURE OF THE TIRES WERE TOO HIGH FOR LARGE TIRES ON A SMALL TRUCK, ANOTHER DEALER THOUGHT THE PROBLEM TO BE THE RIMS BEING TO SMALL FOR SUCH BIG TIRES, ANOTHER DEALER REPLACED TIRES WITH RADIAL ATX TIRES THAT DIDN'T DO ANY BETTER. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #554532
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2000
Tires
I HAD ONE OF THE 16" FIRESTONE TIRES BLOW OUT AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. THE WEATHER WAS WARM, PROBABLY LOW 80'S. THE TIRE WAS ON THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE AND I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. THE TIRE WAS SHREDDED. I DID NOT LOOK FOR TREAD SEPARATION SINCE I DID NOT KNOW THIS WAS A PROBLEM. I HAVE REPLACED THE TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAN…
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I HAD ONE OF THE 16" FIRESTONE TIRES BLOW OUT AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. THE WEATHER WAS WARM, PROBABLY LOW 80'S. THE TIRE WAS ON THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE AND I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. THE TIRE WAS SHREDDED. I DID NOT LOOK FOR TREAD SEPARATION SINCE I DID NOT KNOW THIS WAS A PROBLEM. I HAVE REPLACED THE TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAND, SO I DO NOT HAVE THE EXACT TIRE INFORMATION AVAILABLE. I WAS RATHER FRUSTRATED WHEN THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE ONLY A YEAR OLD. I WAS TOLD BY THE FORD DEALER, IN POCATELLO IDAHO WHERE THE BLOW OCCURED, THAT BLOW OUTS WERE NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING TO BE GAINED BY FILING A COMPLAINT. AT THE TIME OF THE BLOW OUT, I WOULD HAVE FILED THIS AS A SUSPECTED DEFECT IF I HAD KNOWN HOW/WHERE TO REPORT IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS. MARK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235R70/16 )
NHTSA ODI #731048
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2000
Tires
TREAD SEPARATION NOTICED WHEN INSPECTED BY CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN DURING ROUTINE SERVICE.*AK( DOT NUMBER: W2UU TIRE SIZE: P22570R15 )
NHTSA ODI #730986
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2000
TiresVehicle Speed Control
THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE FAILED. *MJS
NHTSA ODI #554492
Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2000
Wheels
THE TIRES NEED TO BE TRUDE AND BALANCED ALMOST EVERY MONTH, I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO FORD 4 OR 5 TIMES AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT ITS EITHER THE TIRE OR RIMS AND NO ONE WILL HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM IN THE PAST YEAR I'VE SPENT OVER 1,000.00 AND MORE JUST TO GET IT RIGHT AND IT IS STILL NOT RIGHT. FORD IS BLAMEING FIREST…
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THE TIRES NEED TO BE TRUDE AND BALANCED ALMOST EVERY MONTH, I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO FORD 4 OR 5 TIMES AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT ITS EITHER THE TIRE OR RIMS AND NO ONE WILL HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM IN THE PAST YEAR I'VE SPENT OVER 1,000.00 AND MORE JUST TO GET IT RIGHT AND IT IS STILL NOT RIGHT. FORD IS BLAMEING FIRESTONE AND FIRESTONE IS BLAMEING FORD I NEED HELP PLEASE.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235/70/14 )
NHTSA ODI #730771
Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2000
Tires
WHILE WIFE WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30 HEARD A SOUND, AND THE RIGHT REAR TIRES WERE FLAT. TREAD HAD CAME LOOSE FROM THE SIDEWALL IN THREE PLACES. *AK FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT P235/75/R15 *MW
NHTSA ODI #869950
Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2000
Tires
PE00020, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, TIRE SIZE P22570R14, DOT HYKC138. REAR PASSENGER'S TIRE HAD A FLAT. OCCUPANT CHECKED THE TIRE AND TREAD STARTED TO PEEL OFF WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH THE OTHER TIRES LOSING AIR. FIRESTONE WAS NOT WILLING TO ASSIST HIM. *AK *SLC
NHTSA ODI #869915
Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2000
TiresCrash
PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A FLAPPING NOISE HITTING UP AGAINST VEHICLE. DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT END TIRE HAD TO BE REPLACED. FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS, P2257014, AND #DOT W2FC. HE HAS CONTACTED FIRESTONE.*AK THE CUSTOMER NOW HAS TIRE SEPARATION ON REAR TIRES ALSO. *YH
NHTSA ODI #869814
Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2000
Tires
TIRE FAILED ON FREEWAY WHEN SIDEWALL RIPPED (ABOUT 7 INCHES) JUST UNDER THE TREAD LINE.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235/75 R15 )
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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