ONLY 55,000 MILES OF HIGHWAY USAGE NO HAULING/OFF ROAD AXLE AND BEARINGS MUST BE REPLACED. DT
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.
Power Train complaints
60 reportsPURCHASED TRUCK USED WITH 18,000 MILES. I IMMEDIATELY STARTED FEELING A BUMPING FROM THE DRIVETRAIN UPON ACCELERATION. DEALER REPLACED DRIVESHAFT UNDER WARRANTY. BY THE TIME THE TRUCK REACHED 40,000 MILES I STARTED TO FEEL IT AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT THAT WAY SINCE AND IT NOW HAS 55,000 MILES ON IT. THE DEALERS WILL N…
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PURCHASED TRUCK USED WITH 18,000 MILES. I IMMEDIATELY STARTED FEELING A BUMPING FROM THE DRIVETRAIN UPON ACCELERATION. DEALER REPLACED DRIVESHAFT UNDER WARRANTY. BY THE TIME THE TRUCK REACHED 40,000 MILES I STARTED TO FEEL IT AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT THAT WAY SINCE AND IT NOW HAS 55,000 MILES ON IT. THE DEALERS WILL NOT FIX IT AGAIN AS IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IT IS A COSTLY REPAIR. I HAVE TALKED WITH OTHERS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND CAN NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. MR
I WAS DRIVING MY 98 FORD RANGER AT HIWAY SPEED WHEN THE TRANSMISSION CASE AND TRANSFER CASE EXPLODED. IT APPEARED AS THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION HAD LOCKED UP FOR NO REASON AT ALL. WHEN IT LOCKED UP IT SOUNDED JUST LIKE A TIRE HAD BLOWN OUT. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM THAT I WAS OUT OF TIME ON M…
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I WAS DRIVING MY 98 FORD RANGER AT HIWAY SPEED WHEN THE TRANSMISSION CASE AND TRANSFER CASE EXPLODED. IT APPEARED AS THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION HAD LOCKED UP FOR NO REASON AT ALL. WHEN IT LOCKED UP IT SOUNDED JUST LIKE A TIRE HAD BLOWN OUT. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM THAT I WAS OUT OF TIME ON MY WARRANTY BUT, I WASN'T OVER ON THE ALLOWED MILAGE. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE QUITE SURE IF MY TRUCK DIDN'T HAVE OBVIOUS ABUSE THAT FORD WOULD STILL COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER THEY DISASSEMBLED MY TRANSMISSION THEY TOLD ME THAT IT LOOKED LIKE I HAD PUT IT IN PARK WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIWAY, WHICH IS TOTALLY RIDICULOUS. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF. FORD DECIDED NOT TO HELP WITH THE REPAIR BILL BECAUSE OF WHAT THE DEALER HAD TOLD THEM. I GUESS THE BOTTOM LINE IS, IF THE TRANSMISSION HAD COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AT THAT SPEED, INSTEAD OF BLOWING APART, THEY COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERAL INJURIES BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A SIX LANE HIWAY. THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT THIS WAS DUE TO SOME KIND OF PART FAILURE. I WAS JUST DRIVING ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN IT WENT.*AK
ON 2-14-02 ODOMETER READ 54250--------ON 3-15-02 ODOMETER READ 4,862. *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
PROBLEM 1: TRANSMISSION CLUNKS WHEN STARTING OUT FROM STOP, OR WHEN SLOWING DOWN. WHILE THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT DOES NOT DEVELOP OVERNIGHT,RATHER MANIFESTS ITSELF OVER A PEROID OF TIME, WHEN I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER, THE MILEAGE WAS PAST WARRANTY BUT THE TIME( 3 YEARS ) WAS NOT. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THIS INVOLVED A PART THAT F…
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PROBLEM 1: TRANSMISSION CLUNKS WHEN STARTING OUT FROM STOP, OR WHEN SLOWING DOWN. WHILE THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT DOES NOT DEVELOP OVERNIGHT,RATHER MANIFESTS ITSELF OVER A PEROID OF TIME, WHEN I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER, THE MILEAGE WAS PAST WARRANTY BUT THE TIME( 3 YEARS ) WAS NOT. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THIS INVOLVED A PART THAT FORD KNOWS TO BE DEFECTIVE IN DESIGN. FORD HAS SINCE REDESIGNED THE PART, BUT WILL NOT REPLACE THE ORIGINAL BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THE POORLY DESIGNED PARTS, KNOWN TO BE PROBLEM PLAGUED, WAS INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, WELL UNDER THE WARRANTY-I.E. 0 MILES, 0 MONTHS.PROBLEM 2&3 INVOLVE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM-LANE CHANGER HAD BAD CONTACTS ( I COULD HEAR NOISE WHEN ENGAGING ) FROM ALMOST DAY ONE, BUT FINALLY FAILED COMPLETLY AFTER WARRANTY. IN ADDITION THE DOOR AJAR INDICATOR HAS COME ON IN WET CONDITIONS SINCE LESS THAN 6 MONTHS OLD. THE DEALER HAS TRIED TO FIX MANY TIMES, OFTEN FAILING TO DUPLICATE, UNTIL I DROVE DIRECTLY TO DEALER WITH DOOR AJAR ON. EVEN THEN THEY HAVE FAILED TO FIX. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO FIX THIS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE OTHER PROBLEMS THEY REFUSE TO CORRECT WITHOUT CHARGE OR COMPROMISE. *AK
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, FIRST GEAR IS AT LEAST 30% TO FAST, AND 80% TO FAST ON REVERSE GEAR AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GO BACK. *YH
REAR AXEL BROKE. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65 TO 70 MPH VEHICLE JUMPED INTO 4-WHEEL DRIVE UNEXPECTEDLY. NO DETERMINATION HAS BEEN MADE AS TO THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK
MY TRUCK WAS JUST 3 MONTHS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY.I WENT TO START IT TO GO TO WORK AND IT WOULD NOT STAY RUNNING:JUST WOULD NOT.I CALLED GORDIE BOUCHER SERVICE AND GOT AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT.I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT OUT THERE,SO I HAD MY HUSBAND DO THAT AND HIS FATHER FOLLOWED IN HIS VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND SAID HE HAD …
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MY TRUCK WAS JUST 3 MONTHS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY.I WENT TO START IT TO GO TO WORK AND IT WOULD NOT STAY RUNNING:JUST WOULD NOT.I CALLED GORDIE BOUCHER SERVICE AND GOT AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT.I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT OUT THERE,SO I HAD MY HUSBAND DO THAT AND HIS FATHER FOLLOWED IN HIS VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND SAID HE HAD A HECK OF A TIME.TRUCK KEPT KILLING AND WOULDN'T STAY RUNNING.I TOLD HIM TO GO IN THE MORNING SO AS NOT TO GET CAUGHT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND STALL OUT AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT!BOTTOM LINE:NEEDED MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR:COST:$360.00.I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT REGARDLESS OF BEING ONLY 3 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY.I BELIEVE THIS PART SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 3 YEARS,3 MONTHS AND I WANT TO BE REIMBURSED BY FORD FOR THE $360.00 I HAD TO PAY. I COULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT HAD THAT HAPPENED ON MY GOING TO WORK OR GETTING OFF WORK OR MY HUSBAND ON HIS WAY TO TAKE IT TO BE REPAIRED!*AK
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