IllustrationWHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES ,THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND SKIPS ACROSS THE ROAD. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CHANGED THE DRUMS BUT ONCE DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER THE PROBLEM COMES BACK. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FUTHER INFORMATION.
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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
54 reportsTHE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM LOCKS UP ON WET PAVEMENT WHEN THE PEDAL IS APPLIED. THE PEDAL IS HARD WHEN APPLIED IT ONLY GOES HALF WAY DOWN, VEHICLE WILL SLIDE BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND REPAIRED VEHICLE, HOWEVER VEHICLE STILL LOCKS UP OCCASIONALLY. *AK
ENGINE CONTINUALLY STALLING, HESITATION AND SURGING, UNABLE TO RECTIFY SINCE PURCHASE. MJS
REAR END (?) WHINES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS,TRANSMISSION SLIPS. DEALER REBUILT DIFFERENTIAL, PROBLEM PERSISTS, DEALER NOW HAS VEHICLE INSTALLING A NEW TRANSMISSION TRYING TO FIX PROBLEM. BRAKE PEDAL PULSES (NOT ABS)AND STEERINGS WHEEL SHUDDERS (LEFT/RIGHT) WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT ALL SPEEDS. (NOT REPORTED TO DEALER, HAVE SINCE FOUN…
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REAR END (?) WHINES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS,TRANSMISSION SLIPS. DEALER REBUILT DIFFERENTIAL, PROBLEM PERSISTS, DEALER NOW HAS VEHICLE INSTALLING A NEW TRANSMISSION TRYING TO FIX PROBLEM. BRAKE PEDAL PULSES (NOT ABS)AND STEERINGS WHEEL SHUDDERS (LEFT/RIGHT) WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT ALL SPEEDS. (NOT REPORTED TO DEALER, HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE). OIL FILTER- TO REMOVE FILTER IT MUST BE WEDGED PAST THE SOLENOID/STARTER. IT COME IN CONTACT WITH THE EXPOSED WIRES/LUGS? ON THE STARTER. THERE IS NOTHING PROTECTING THIS EXPOSED AREA. MY DEALER HAS BEEN EXTREMELY COURTEOUS AND UNDERSTANDING IN DEALING WITH THE TRANSMISSION/DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION FROM FORD REGARDING THESE PROBLEMS.THROUGH RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I HAVE COME TO BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEMS DESCRIBED HERE ARE NOT LIMITED TO MY EXPERIENCES. THANK YOU. *AK
LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT FELL OFF DUE TO MISSING SCREW DURING MANUFACTURING. MJS
RIGHT REAR BRAKE LINE IS PRESSED AGAINST REAR SHOCK CAUSING A GROOVE TO FORM IN THE FLEXABLE PART OF THE BRAKE LINE. PROBLEM WAS CAUGHT BY OWNER BEFORE FAILURE OCCURRED.
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED IN A PANIC STOP BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
WHEN APPLYING ABS BRAKES, PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR , CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BRAKES BENT THE BRAKE PEDAL. *AK *ML
ON STARTING ENGINE HESITATED ,ALMOST STALLED THEN RACED WITH HIGH RPM,WHILE HUGE AMOUNTS OF WHITE THICK SMOKE AND HEAVY GASOLINE SMELL PRESENT.TRUCK STALLED.RESTARTED SAME PROBLEM WITH THE ADDITION OF A LARGE BLACK CLOUD OF SMOKE FROM TAIL PIPE ON PUSHING ACCELERATOR.THROTTLE STICKS CAUSING SURGING.DEALER REPLACED THROTTLE VALVE…
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ON STARTING ENGINE HESITATED ,ALMOST STALLED THEN RACED WITH HIGH RPM,WHILE HUGE AMOUNTS OF WHITE THICK SMOKE AND HEAVY GASOLINE SMELL PRESENT.TRUCK STALLED.RESTARTED SAME PROBLEM WITH THE ADDITION OF A LARGE BLACK CLOUD OF SMOKE FROM TAIL PIPE ON PUSHING ACCELERATOR.THROTTLE STICKS CAUSING SURGING.DEALER REPLACED THROTTLE VALVE.PROBELM PERSISTS. BRAKES MAKE GRINDING NOISE WHEN APPLIED,DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE AFTER 4 VISITS THEY FINALLY ACKOWLEDGE PROBLEM AND HAD TO DO A COMPLETE BRAKE JOB.BRAKES ARE HARD NOW AND IT APPEARS THAT THE ANTI LOCKS DO NOT ENGAGE.REAR SLIDER LEAKS WATER INTO EXTRA CAB WHEN IT RAINS. VIBRATION HEARD FROM EX HAUST AREA,HAD TO HAVE THE HEAT SHIELD TIGHTENED. NOISE HAS RETURNED./
FRONT SEAT IS DISTORTED AND SINKING/COLLAPSED, REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES AND CONTINUES TO COLLAPSE. MJS THE CONSUMER WAS WRITING A COMPLEMENT TO THE DEALERSHIP. *YH
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