THE OIL WAS LEAKING DUE TO A CRACKED OIL PAN. *YH
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
51 reportsHAD OIL CHANGED AT CLEAN LUBE-NO OIL LEAKAGE BEFORE VISIT WITH THEM-THEY TOLD ME MY OIL PAN WAS CRACKED AND WHEN I LEFT IT WAS POURING OUT OIL. THEY KEPT MY OIL PAN AND SAID THEY HAD TO SEND IT TO A LAB TO SEE IF THEY CRACKED IT....I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM SINCE. THE COST OF THE NEW OIL PAN WAS 404.00 AND THEY SAID IT WAS A ST…
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HAD OIL CHANGED AT CLEAN LUBE-NO OIL LEAKAGE BEFORE VISIT WITH THEM-THEY TOLD ME MY OIL PAN WAS CRACKED AND WHEN I LEFT IT WAS POURING OUT OIL. THEY KEPT MY OIL PAN AND SAID THEY HAD TO SEND IT TO A LAB TO SEE IF THEY CRACKED IT....I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM SINCE. THE COST OF THE NEW OIL PAN WAS 404.00 AND THEY SAID IT WAS A STRESS CRACK AND IT SHOULD HACE BEEN A RECALL. THEY SEE THIS IN THESE LITTLE TRUCKS.....PLEASE HELP ME......THEY NEED TO PAY FOR MY OIL PAN PER MECHANIC.THANK YOU TRISH HULL. *AK
CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING SEVERAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, THE INSIDE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF WHEN THE DOOR IS SHUT, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT NEVER GOES OFF, WHEN THE KEYS ARE LEFT INSIDE THE IGNITION WITH THE DOOR CLOSED, THE CHIMER WILL KEEP DINGING UNTIL THE KEY IS REMOVED, THE DEALER CLAIMED THE PROBLEM WAS THE JEWEL MODU…
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CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING SEVERAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, THE INSIDE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF WHEN THE DOOR IS SHUT, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT NEVER GOES OFF, WHEN THE KEYS ARE LEFT INSIDE THE IGNITION WITH THE DOOR CLOSED, THE CHIMER WILL KEEP DINGING UNTIL THE KEY IS REMOVED, THE DEALER CLAIMED THE PROBLEM WAS THE JEWEL MODULAR, HOWEVER THE BULBS INSIDE THE DASH KEEP BLOWING, WHEN THE BLINKERS ARE TURNED ON THERE IS A CRACKLING NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE A WIRE SHORTING OUT, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACT ERRACTICALLY WHEN IN DELAY MODE, THE HAZARD LIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, CONSUMER HAS CONCERNS WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT, WHEN HE TURNS THE SWITCH TO THE OFF POSITION, THE LIGHT GOES OFF AND WHEN CONSUMER TURNS THE SWITCH TO THE ON POSITION, THE LIGHT INDICATES THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF.*JB
AT 30000, THE FIRST SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THE BELT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE MORE SINCE THEN, AND THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 52000 MILES. AROUND 40000 MILES, THE FRONT SUSPENSION STARTED CLUNKING EVERY TIME YOU HIT A BUMP. TH…
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AT 30000, THE FIRST SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THE BELT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE MORE SINCE THEN, AND THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 52000 MILES. AROUND 40000 MILES, THE FRONT SUSPENSION STARTED CLUNKING EVERY TIME YOU HIT A BUMP. THE MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE FRONT END STATED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION BUSHINGS ARE WHAT IS CAUSING THE CLUNK.*AK
AS I WAS TURNING A CORNER THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY APPEARED TO LOSE POWER. I THOUGHT INITIALLY THE ENGINE HAD STALLED AND I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING HOWEVER IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OUT OF IDLE AND WOULD STALL WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED. THE VEHICLE WOULD ILDE ALONG AND I WAS FORCED TO RUN …
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AS I WAS TURNING A CORNER THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY APPEARED TO LOSE POWER. I THOUGHT INITIALLY THE ENGINE HAD STALLED AND I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING HOWEVER IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OUT OF IDLE AND WOULD STALL WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED. THE VEHICLE WOULD ILDE ALONG AND I WAS FORCED TO RUN ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD IN IDLE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND TWO AIR SENSORS WERE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. *AK
THE VEHICLE MADE A SQUEAK NOISE IN THE FRONT END DUE TO LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILURE. *YH
WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 35-40MPHAND /AFTER CROSSING A BRIDGE FRONT BODY MOUNTS BROKE OFF. DRIVER HAD TO JUMP FROM VEHICLE TO AVOID INJURY. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED, AND HAS BEEN IN STORAGE FOR SIX MONTHS. *AK
VEHICLE IDLES VERY ROUGHLY. THEN IDLE WILL GO AWAY FOR AWHILE. VEHICLE TURNED OFF WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER ROUGH IDLE GOES AWAY, VEHICLE WILL HESITATE OR STALL, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER PROBLEMS STILL EXISTS. GAS PEDAL GETS STUCK. PASSENGER S…
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VEHICLE IDLES VERY ROUGHLY. THEN IDLE WILL GO AWAY FOR AWHILE. VEHICLE TURNED OFF WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER ROUGH IDLE GOES AWAY, VEHICLE WILL HESITATE OR STALL, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER PROBLEMS STILL EXISTS. GAS PEDAL GETS STUCK. PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM WAS LOOSE. PWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED DUE TO WHEN TURNING WHEEL IT WOULD MAKE ANOISE. *SLC
MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR HAS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AT 9,000 AND 31,000 MILES. WHEN IT FAILS, THE ENGINE STALLS, AND IS VERY DIFFICULT TO RESTART AND KEEP RUNNING. WITHOUT ENGINE POWER, THERE IS LIMITED BRAKE AND POWER STEERING FUNCTIONING. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD IF IT OCCURS IN A MOVING TRAFFIC SITUATION. FORD IS UNABLE (UNWILLING?…
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MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR HAS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AT 9,000 AND 31,000 MILES. WHEN IT FAILS, THE ENGINE STALLS, AND IS VERY DIFFICULT TO RESTART AND KEEP RUNNING. WITHOUT ENGINE POWER, THERE IS LIMITED BRAKE AND POWER STEERING FUNCTIONING. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD IF IT OCCURS IN A MOVING TRAFFIC SITUATION. FORD IS UNABLE (UNWILLING?) TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION AS TO WHETHER THIS IS AN ACCEPTABLE FAILURE RATE.*AK
BOUGHT THIS TRUCK WITH 16,000 MILES ON IT FROM EARNHEART DODGE. DEC . 11,1999.ON JAN 24,2000 TOOK IT TO BERGE FORD SERVICE DEPT. FOR NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE (LIKE MARBLES RUNNNING AROUND IN IT) TRUCK STAYED THERE TO HAVE ENGINE LOOKED AT FOR 5 DAYS. IN THE MEANTIME I HAD TO PAY FOR RENTAL.GOT TIRED WAITNG FOR TRUCK TO BE LOO…
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BOUGHT THIS TRUCK WITH 16,000 MILES ON IT FROM EARNHEART DODGE. DEC . 11,1999.ON JAN 24,2000 TOOK IT TO BERGE FORD SERVICE DEPT. FOR NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE (LIKE MARBLES RUNNNING AROUND IN IT) TRUCK STAYED THERE TO HAVE ENGINE LOOKED AT FOR 5 DAYS. IN THE MEANTIME I HAD TO PAY FOR RENTAL.GOT TIRED WAITNG FOR TRUCK TO BE LOOKED AT AND CALLED EARNHEART FORD SERVICE TO COME PICK UP AND TAKE TO THEIRS. SERVICE REP SAID COULD BE JUST CARBON IN IT. SO THEY DECARBONED IT.THE NOISE STILL WAS THERE. AFTER 20,000MILES ON THE TRUCK TOTAL ,THEY PUT IN FORD FACTORY REBUILT ENGINE IN IT. OKAY FOR ABOUT 1,000 MILES , NOISE CAME BACK.TOOK BACK TO FORD SAID IT WAS PROBABLY CARBON AGAIN.HOW COME SAME PROBLEM WITH NEW REBUILT ENGINE ? THEY DECARBONED IT.WHEN TRUCK PICKED UP THERE WAS STILL NOISE. SERVICE SAID DECARBON STUFF STILL HAD TO WORK MORE. NOISE GOT LOUDER. GOT IN TOUCH TO SEE WHAT NOW THEY WERE GOING TO DO.SERVICE MANAGER SAID WOULD BE IN TOUCH.NO CALLS. TRIED CALLING AND LEAVE MESSAGES NUMBER OF TIMES NO ANSWER. FINALLY ABLE TO GET AHOLD OF SERVICE MANGER AND HE SAID THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING MORE FOR ME EVEN THOUGH STILL UNDER WARRENTY.SAID HIS MECHANIC CALLED THE FORD HOTLINE AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF SOME OF THE RANGERS HAVING THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE ,BUT IT WOULD NOT HURT THE ENGINE . IT HAD TO DO WITH THE ALIGNMENT OF THE VALVES IN SOME OF THE ENGINES. I SAID WAIT A MINUTE NOT ONLY I FEEL MY TRUCK IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE MAKING THIS RACKET AS I DRIVE THE FREEWAYU TO WORK 4-5 TIMES A WEEK 40 MILES 1 WAY,BUT WHY SHOULD I BE STUCK WITH A NOISY ,UNSAFE VEHICLE AFTER PAYING ALL THE MONEY I HAVE FOR IT AND TO BE UNHAPPY WITH IT? QUESTION.. IF THIS ONLY A NOISE PROBLEM WHY WAS THE CONSUMERS NOT WARNED ABOUT IT WHEN THEY BOUGHT IT.AND WHY DID THEY CHANGE THE FIRST ENGINE?I THINK THESE ENGINES SHOULD ALL BE RECALLED TO FIND OUT THE TRUE PROBLEM BEFORE IT BECOMES ANOTHER "FIRESTONE" DISASTER. PLEASE RESPOND.
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
Illustration