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 · Nov 20, 1998
Fuel System, GasolineSeatsVisibility
COMPLAINT#1: GAS TANK LEAKED AFTER VEHICLE WAS ONLY ONE WEEK OLD. DEALER REPLACED IT WITH A NEW TANK. COMPLAINT#2: POWER WINDOWS ARE 'JERKY' AND THEY CHATTER WHEN GOING DOWN. DEALER HAS NOT REPAIRED IT YET. COMPLAINT#3: PASSENGER SEAT VIBRATES ANY TIME TRUCK DRIVES OVER ANY BUMPS, LARGE OR SMALL. DEALER HAS NOT REPAIRED IT …
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COMPLAINT#1: GAS TANK LEAKED AFTER VEHICLE WAS ONLY ONE WEEK OLD. DEALER REPLACED IT WITH A NEW TANK. COMPLAINT#2: POWER WINDOWS ARE 'JERKY' AND THEY CHATTER WHEN GOING DOWN. DEALER HAS NOT REPAIRED IT YET. COMPLAINT#3: PASSENGER SEAT VIBRATES ANY TIME TRUCK DRIVES OVER ANY BUMPS, LARGE OR SMALL. DEALER HAS NOT REPAIRED IT AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA ODI #700768
Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 1998
Tires
FIRESTONE P265/75R15 TIRE BLEW OUT.
NHTSA ODI #542566
Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 1998
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrash
THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH ANTI- LOCK BRAKES AND AIRBAG. DURING AN ACCIDENTANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED TO WORK. WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THEIR BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD. IN ADDITION, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #830576
Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ANTI LOCK BRAKES CONTINUALLY LOCKING UP.
NHTSA ODI #542476
Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 1998
Exterior Lighting
SIGNAL LEVER IS 15-20 DEGREES TO RIGHT OR LEFT OF CENTER, IT DOES NOT STAY ENGAGED WHEN TURNING HAVE TO HOLD THE LEVER AND TURNING WITH THE OTHER HAND. TWO DEALERS INDICATED PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #830112
Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 1998
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL STALL UNEXPECTEDLY (ALL POWER WILL GO OUT) WHICH ALMOST COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER REPLACED BATTERY, FUSES ETC. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. PLEASE FURTHER DETAILS AND VIN #. 8AK
NHTSA ODI #829612
Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
AT MAINTENANCE OIL AND FILTER CHANGE, ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE FILTER BY CONVENTIONAL METHOD OUT THROUGH BOTTOM OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FILTER CONTACTED STARTER AND CHASSIS FRAME WHICH CREATED A ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT RESULTING IN FIRE INVOLVING PLASTIC WHEEL WELL AND PARKING BRAKE CABLE HOUSING. ALSO DESTROYED TWO GROUND …
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AT MAINTENANCE OIL AND FILTER CHANGE, ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE FILTER BY CONVENTIONAL METHOD OUT THROUGH BOTTOM OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FILTER CONTACTED STARTER AND CHASSIS FRAME WHICH CREATED A ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT RESULTING IN FIRE INVOLVING PLASTIC WHEEL WELL AND PARKING BRAKE CABLE HOUSING. ALSO DESTROYED TWO GROUND STRAPS AND MAIN BATTERY GROUND WIRE BEFORE BATTERY COULD BE DISCONNECTED AND FIRE EXTINGUISHED WITH DRY CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHER. FORD OF HYANNIS TOLD US THAT NO OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENT HAD BEEN REPORTED. NO CAUTION OR INFORMATION WAS INCLUDED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL OR IN THE DEALER ORIENTATION WHICH WOULD HAVE ALERTED THE OWNER TO THE NECESSITY OF REMOVING THE FILTER THROUGH THE TOP OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE IMMEDIATE AVAILABILITY OF LARGE DRY CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHER, THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE BEEN DESTROYED AND GARAGE ATTACHED TO HOME SEVERELY DAMAGED.
NHTSA ODI #700138
Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 1998
VisibilityInjury
WHILE DRIVING HOME ON A MAINTAINED DIRT ROAD, THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED.MIKE SHAD FORD HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY. RICK PALMAN IS THE SERVICE MANAGER FOR MIKE SHAD. AND CHRIS @ FORD, REP # 2752 ON 9/28/98 @12:28PM VIA PHONE SAID HE WOULD HAVE MIKE SHAD FORD CALL TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO REPLACE IT AS IT W…
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WHILE DRIVING HOME ON A MAINTAINED DIRT ROAD, THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED.MIKE SHAD FORD HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY. RICK PALMAN IS THE SERVICE MANAGER FOR MIKE SHAD. AND CHRIS @ FORD, REP # 2752 ON 9/28/98 @12:28PM VIA PHONE SAID HE WOULD HAVE MIKE SHAD FORD CALL TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO REPLACE IT AS IT WOULD BE A WARRANTY ITEM. WHEN AT MIKE SHAD FORD, MR. PALMAN REFUSED TO REAIR THE MISSING WINDOW UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA ODI #700132
Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 1998
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
MY PICKUP HAD UNDIAGNOSED BRAKING DIFFICULTIES SINCE A MILEAGE OF 150. THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL NOT DEPRESS, THEN BREAKS FREE, GREATLY INCREASING MY REACTION TIME. THIS OCCURS UP TO 25 TIMES PER DAY IN VARYING DEGREES. FREEWAY FORD MERCURY HAS ATTEMPTED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WITH THE HELP OF THE MANUFACTURER REPRESENTATIVE. TH…
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MY PICKUP HAD UNDIAGNOSED BRAKING DIFFICULTIES SINCE A MILEAGE OF 150. THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL NOT DEPRESS, THEN BREAKS FREE, GREATLY INCREASING MY REACTION TIME. THIS OCCURS UP TO 25 TIMES PER DAY IN VARYING DEGREES. FREEWAY FORD MERCURY HAS ATTEMPTED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WITH THE HELP OF THE MANUFACTURER REPRESENTATIVE. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER TWICE, THE PROPORTIONING VALVE, LINKAGE, AND OTHER SUSPECTED FAULTY PARTS TO NO AVAIL. ON THE THIRD VISIT IT WAS FOUND THAT MY RIGHT REAR BRAKE CYLINDER HAS NEVER WORKED. THIS WAS REPLACED, BUT HAD NO AFFECT ON THE STICKING BRAKE PEDAL. FOLLOWING THIS VISIT, THE FORD HOTLINE ADVISED THAT I DRIVE THE TRUCK 1,000 ADDITIONAL MILES IN HOPES THAT IT WOULD
NHTSA ODI #700103
Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 1998
Air BagsCrash
CONSUMER WAS PARKED WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE TAILGATED THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO BE PUSHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND THE AIR BAGS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK
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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