IllustrationWHILE CHANGING OIL FILTER, EXHAUST PIPE BURNED CONSUMER'S HAND. THIS CAUSED THE OIL FILTER TOO TOUCH THE BAR WIRE OF THE STARTER, CAUSING A SPARK TO IGNITE THE OIL, RESULTING IN A FIRE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. *AK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Ranger years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsDAUGHTER WAS DRIVING TRUCK LOST CONTROL ON SNOW COVERED ROAD, APPROX. SPEED:40-55 MPH.WRECKED, WENT OFF ROAD INTO DEEP DITCH, HIT HILL, TRUCK WENT UP IN AIR, ALMOST FLIPPING, CAME BACK DOWN FLATTENED TIRES ON DRIVERS SIDE, FLIPPED BACK OUT IN ROAD, SPUN AROUND AND BACK IN SAME DITCH ON PASSENGERS SIDE HEADED UP THE ROAD. AIRBAGS…
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DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING TRUCK LOST CONTROL ON SNOW COVERED ROAD, APPROX. SPEED:40-55 MPH.WRECKED, WENT OFF ROAD INTO DEEP DITCH, HIT HILL, TRUCK WENT UP IN AIR, ALMOST FLIPPING, CAME BACK DOWN FLATTENED TIRES ON DRIVERS SIDE, FLIPPED BACK OUT IN ROAD, SPUN AROUND AND BACK IN SAME DITCH ON PASSENGERS SIDE HEADED UP THE ROAD. AIRBAGS ON NIETHER SIDE DEPLOYED. INJURIES TO: HEAD, NECK SHOULDER, HIP, UPPER& LOWER BACK. CONTACTED FORD MOTOR, SENT TRUCK TO DEALER TO CHEK DATA ON MODULE. STATMENT WAS SIGNED TO GIVE COPY OF REPORT TO ME & NOT TO EARASE ANY DATA. SSO FAR ALL I RECIEVED WAS A LETTER FROM FORD MOTOR SAYING NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH AIRBAGS. *AK
DRIVER MISSED A TURN AND HIT LIGHT POLE ON FRONT DRIVERS SIDE. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 36 MPH ,REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DIDNOT DEPLOY, CAUSING INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP BRAKE PEDAL GETS HARD AND TRUCK STOPPING DISTANCE IS INCREASED. HAVE HAD TWO VERY CLOSE CALLS WITH OTHER VEHICLES NEARLY BEING HIT. PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT 6 WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED TRUCK. HAVE HAD VEHICLE IN 7 TIMES TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS. THEY STATED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM BUT I KNEW BETTER. HAVE …
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WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP BRAKE PEDAL GETS HARD AND TRUCK STOPPING DISTANCE IS INCREASED. HAVE HAD TWO VERY CLOSE CALLS WITH OTHER VEHICLES NEARLY BEING HIT. PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT 6 WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED TRUCK. HAVE HAD VEHICLE IN 7 TIMES TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS. THEY STATED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM BUT I KNEW BETTER. HAVE SEEN SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON THIS WEBSITE AND WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT THOSE PEOPLE. YOU HAVE PERMISSION TO PUBLISH MY E-MAIL ADDRESS. *AK
VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH ENGINE ACCELERATION WHILE IN STOP / GO TRAFFIC. VEHICLE BEEN IN /OUT OF DEALER SHOP, AND CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT NOTHING CAN BE FOUNED. DEALER WANTS CONSUMER TO TAKE VEHICLE BACK. *AK
INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AND SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS CHANGED VARIOUS PARTS, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
NO SUMMARY INCLUDED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
FRONT END ALIGNMENT IS OUT, BUT MUST PURCHASE ADDITIONAL KITS TO BE PUT ON BEFORE ALINEMENT CAN BE SET CORRECTLY. SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOLD ABOUT THIS. NOW COST OF REPAIR IS EST $120. MOST PEOPLE CAN NOT AFFORD THAT AT ONE TIME AND WILL DRIVE ON MISALINED FRONT END WHICH CAN BE A BIG SAFTELY ISSUE. *AK
CLUTCH WOULD NOT FULLY DISENGAGE WHILE DRIVING, AND TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP. DEALER REPRESENTATIVE STATED CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FAILED, DUE TO WAY I DRIVE, WHICH IS A WEAR ITEM AND NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, AND $623.00 TO REPAIR. TRUCK HAS ONLY 32,000 MILES ON IT. PREVIOUS TWO TRUCKS I OWNED HAD MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND OVER 140,000 MI…
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CLUTCH WOULD NOT FULLY DISENGAGE WHILE DRIVING, AND TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP. DEALER REPRESENTATIVE STATED CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FAILED, DUE TO WAY I DRIVE, WHICH IS A WEAR ITEM AND NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, AND $623.00 TO REPAIR. TRUCK HAS ONLY 32,000 MILES ON IT. PREVIOUS TWO TRUCKS I OWNED HAD MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND OVER 140,000 MILES ON THEM WHEN I SOLD THEM AND BOTH HAD ORIGINAL CLUTCHES. I HAVE NOT CHANGED WAY I DRIVE, AND I DRIVE IN SAME AREA. BROUGHT TO AAMCO FOR SECOND OPINION AND WAS TOLD PRESSURE PLATE AND CLUTCH FAILURE. WAS TOLD BY AAMCO IT WAS PROBABLY DESIGN DEFECT DUE TO ONLY 32,000 MILES AND PRESSURE PLATE FAILURE. ALSO, AAMCO REP. STATED NEW FORD RANGER AND F-150 MANUAL TRANSMISSION USES AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID, AND HAS 3 RUBBER PLUGS IN TRANSMISSION HOUSING. AUTO TRANS. FLUID EATS AWAY RUBBER PLUGS, WHICH ALLOWS DIRT IN AND FLUID OUT, ANOTHER DESIGN DEFECT.
Official recalls
507V336000 · 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
1PE99045 · Steering Knuckle Separations
Opened Jul 6, 1999 · Closed Oct 29, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available