IllustrationTHE SPARE TIRE IS A 15 INCH TIRE WHILE THE REGULAR TIRE SIZE IS 16 INCHES. THIS MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL/CRASH. *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 reportsWHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 20 TO 40MPH AND APPLYING THE GAS PEDAL, VEHICLES DOES NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. ACTS AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL. OWNER HAS TO WAIT AT LEAST 2 MINUTES BEFORE ACCELERATOR KICKS IN. DEALER CAN'T FIND THE CAUS EOF THE PROBLEM.
VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER. ENGINE FELT LIKE IT HAD DIED. AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. WHEN IN LOWER GEAR ONLY, WOULD DIE OUT. HAVE BEEN TO DEALER'S TWICE. *AK
THE THROTTLE BOX LINKAGE STICKS AND MAKES THE ACCELERATOR DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS...ESPECIALLY WHEN STARTING OUT. THE THROTTLE BOX HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND IS STARTING TO STICK AGAIN
GRINDING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN 2, 3. AND 4. REBUILT TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE LOST 1ST & 2ND GEAR. TOWED. DEALER SAID NOTHING WRONG WITH TRANSMISSION. HAPPENED AGAIN. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION. FAILURE HAPPENED AGAIN. DEALER SAID IT WAS THE DRIVER NOT THE TRANSMISSION. FAILURE PART IS THE MAIN BLOCKER RING. BREAKS …
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
REAR DRIVESHAFT EXHIBITS A CLUNKING NOISE/FEELING UPON ACCELERATION FROM STOP. BEGINS AT AROUND 10,000 MILES ON NEW VEHICLE.
LOAD SQEAL HEARD WHEN STARTING OUT FROM A STOP AND I THINK I CAN HEAR IT IN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR, BUT NOT CERTAIN AS THE ENGINE NOISE COVERS THE SOUND. IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET I DID FIND ANOTHER CUSTOMER COMPLAIN SIMILAR TO MINE. ALSO I FOUND A SERVICE BULLITEN #2521 THAT STATES THAT THE PARTS CATALOG BOOK REFERENCES AN INCO…
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LOAD SQEAL HEARD WHEN STARTING OUT FROM A STOP AND I THINK I CAN HEAR IT IN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR, BUT NOT CERTAIN AS THE ENGINE NOISE COVERS THE SOUND. IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET I DID FIND ANOTHER CUSTOMER COMPLAIN SIMILAR TO MINE. ALSO I FOUND A SERVICE BULLITEN #2521 THAT STATES THAT THE PARTS CATALOG BOOK REFERENCES AN INCORRECT CLUTCH PART NUMBER FOR SOME VEHICLES WITH THE 3.0L ENGINES. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT MY TRUCK HAD THE WRONG PART IN IT ORIGINALLY OR THEY PUT THE WRONG PART IN ( THROUGOUT BEARING REPLACED JULY 1999) WHEN THEY FIXED IT. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT I AM HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND I WILL BE CONTACTING ANOTHER DEALER WITH THIS PROBLEM, AS I WAS NOT COMPLETELY SATISFIED WITH THE SERVICE THAT I GOT FROM THE DEALER THAT I BOUGHT THE TRUCK FROM. PLEASE ADVISE. THANKS, JAY GROVER
THE VEHICLE STALLS AT RANDOM INTERVALS. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO FORDS ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN THE SHOP MANY TIMES AND FORD HAS DUPLICATED THE MALFUNCTION. HOWEVER THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO ISOLATE THE PROBLEM OR COME UP WITH ANY FIX. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR OVER 4 MONTH DURING THE LAST YEAR.
LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT FELL OFF DUE TO MISSING SCREW DURING MANUFACTURING. MJS
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED IN A PERIOD OF APPROXIMATELY 5 MONTHS. THE FIRST INSTANCE OCCURRED ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH, WITH A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE AS THE FUEL PUMP RELAY FAILED (ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE DEPT. OF THE FORD DEALER). THE SECOND FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED ON THE FREEWAY, A…
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THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED IN A PERIOD OF APPROXIMATELY 5 MONTHS. THE FIRST INSTANCE OCCURRED ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH, WITH A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE AS THE FUEL PUMP RELAY FAILED (ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE DEPT. OF THE FORD DEALER). THE SECOND FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED ON THE FREEWAY, AGAIN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE SAME SERVICE DEPT. REPLACED THE ENTIRE FUEL PUMP. THE THIRD INCIDENT OCCURRED TONIGHT, AGAIN ON THE ROAD WITH NO WARNING. THIS IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE -- TWICE I HAVE BEEN ABRUPTLY LEFT POWERLESS IN A FREEWAY WITH NO WAY TO MOVE THE TRUCK.
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