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1988 Ford Ranger

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1988 Ford Ranger do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 144.

About this comparison →
89Owner complaints

Model-year median: 144

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

2Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
27
198535
198650
198789
198873
1989105
1990132
1991
Compare all Ranger years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
32Engine And Engine Cooling
13Power Train
9Seat Belts
9Service Brakes, Hydraulic
9
All reported categories
Fuel System, Gasoline
6Structure
4Visibility
4Steering
3Latches/locks/linkages
2Tires
2Unknown Or Other
2Vehicle Speed Control
2Equipment
1Exterior Lighting
1Seats
1Suspension
1

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: 8 of 89 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports23 fire reports5 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

6 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2005
Fuel System, GasolineFire

DT: THE CONTACT STATED 1988 FORD RANGER CAUGHT ON FIRE ON JULY 28 ,05. IT BURNED UP ALL OF THE WIRING, ENGINE, AND ONE TIRE. THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING FOR ONE YEAR. THE CONSUMER HAD BEEN WORKING ON THE CAR. HE REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION, PUT A NEW REAR END UNDER IT, AND PUT ON OXYGEN SEN…

Read full complaint

DT: THE CONTACT STATED 1988 FORD RANGER CAUGHT ON FIRE ON JULY 28 ,05. IT BURNED UP ALL OF THE WIRING, ENGINE, AND ONE TIRE. THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING FOR ONE YEAR. THE CONSUMER HAD BEEN WORKING ON THE CAR. HE REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION, PUT A NEW REAR END UNDER IT, AND PUT ON OXYGEN SENSORS. HE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART VEHICLE AND IT QUIT. HE WENT TO START IT AGAIN IT BACK FIRED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. HAS NOT CONTACTED FORD ABOUT THE FIRE. HE SEEMED TO THINK THE FIRE WAS FUEL RELATED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10132247

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2001
EquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

ENGINE RUNS TOO FAST WILL NOT IDLE -AIR COMPRESSER WILL NOT WORK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #749528

Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 1996
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

TIRES REPLACED. *SD

NHTSA ODI #504368

Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 1995
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL TANK IS LEAKING FUEL, WHEN GAS TANK IS AT LEAST ONE-HALF (1/2) FULL. TT *JB

NHTSA ODI #974804

Mileage unknown · May 5, 1995
Fuel System, GasolineFire

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. TT

NHTSA ODI #964884

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 1995
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR FAILED, CAUSING GAS TO ENTER VACUUM SYSTEM, CAUSING STALLING AND BRAKE/TRANSMISSION/ FAILURE. *SKD

NHTSA ODI #480166

Official recalls

1

87V141000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components

Sep 4, 1987

TRUCKS WERE BUILT WITH INCORRECT REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A TENDENCY FOR REAR BRAKE LOCKUP WOULD EXIST PARTICULARLY DURING HEAVY BRAKE APPLICAION WITH A LIGHTLY LOADED TRUCK. ALSO, INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE WOULD BE REQUIRED IF THE BRAKE MODULATION (PUMPING THE BRAKES) IS USED TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE DURING A HARD BRAKE STOP.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: REPLACE REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLIES.

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

2

PE92029 · Whl Separation/torque Loss

Opened Mar 16, 1992 · Closed Aug 31, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

There is no summary currently available

EA90042 · Throttle Sticking

Opened Aug 31, 1990 · Closed Dec 31, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available