IllustrationFRAME/ CHASSIS IS RUSTING. I HEARD TOYOTA WAS FIXING THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR TRUCKS. WHY DOESN'T FORD AND OR HAVE YOU CHECKED THESE TRUCKS OUT. YOU ARE WELCOME TO COME AND SEE MINE. THANKS, *TR
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
Structure complaints
45 reportsTOOK MY 1998 FORD RANGER IN FOR AN INSPECTION ON 01/13/2015 ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE BACK OF THE FRAME IS ALMOST COMPLETELY ROTTED AWAY. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE ONLY TWO DAYS EARLIER FROM A DEALERSHIP IN VA(01/11/2015) THAT'S RUN BY A MECHANIC. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AS SOON AS I SAW MY MISTAKE, AND THEY TOLD ME THEY DIDN'T SE…
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TOOK MY 1998 FORD RANGER IN FOR AN INSPECTION ON 01/13/2015 ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE BACK OF THE FRAME IS ALMOST COMPLETELY ROTTED AWAY. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE ONLY TWO DAYS EARLIER FROM A DEALERSHIP IN VA(01/11/2015) THAT'S RUN BY A MECHANIC. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AS SOON AS I SAW MY MISTAKE, AND THEY TOLD ME THEY DIDN'T SEE THE RUST, AND THAT THE VEHICLE PASSED INSPECTION IN VA ONLY TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO MY PURCHASE. THE FRAME IS ABOUT TO SPLIT IN HALF ITS SO BADLY RUSTED AND NOW I CANT REGISTER IT, NOT TO MENTION DRIVE IT, OUT OF FEAR OF IT SNAPPING AND ME LOSING MY LIFE. OH AND DID I MENTION I PAID $3650 FOR THIS POS? *TR
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WHEN THE FRAME BROKE, BEHIND THE CAB WHERE THE BACK BED BEGINS ON THE DRIVER SIDE. EXCESSIVE ROT ALL OVER FRAME. *TR
MY FORD RANGER FRAME IS ALMOST COMPLETELY ROTTED AWAY IN THE BACK AND THE REST OF THE FRAME IS IN GOOD CONDITION. THE REAR SHACKLES AND SHACKLE BRACKETS ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. THE SPARE TIRE HAS EVEN FALLEN OFF FROM RUST. ALSO THE GAS TANK STRAPS ARE ABOUT TO FALL OFF FROM WERE THEY ARE ATTACHED TO THE FRAME. THIS SHOULD N…
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MY FORD RANGER FRAME IS ALMOST COMPLETELY ROTTED AWAY IN THE BACK AND THE REST OF THE FRAME IS IN GOOD CONDITION. THE REAR SHACKLES AND SHACKLE BRACKETS ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. THE SPARE TIRE HAS EVEN FALLEN OFF FROM RUST. ALSO THE GAS TANK STRAPS ARE ABOUT TO FALL OFF FROM WERE THEY ARE ATTACHED TO THE FRAME. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO A TRUCK THAT IS NOT THAT OLD. I HAVE READ THINGS ABOUT OTHER PEOPLES FRAMES THAT ARE RUSTED AWAY. *TR
I TOOK MY TRUCK TO HAVE A POWER STEERING ISSUE EXAMINED. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME OF THE TRUCK WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. I EXAMINED THE FRAME AND NOTICED THAT THERE WERE SIZABLE HOLES IN THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK. THE ENTIRE BODY OF THE TRUCK IS IN SOLID CONDITION, HOWEVER THE FRAME ISSUE IS A MAJOR SAFET…
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I TOOK MY TRUCK TO HAVE A POWER STEERING ISSUE EXAMINED. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME OF THE TRUCK WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. I EXAMINED THE FRAME AND NOTICED THAT THERE WERE SIZABLE HOLES IN THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK. THE ENTIRE BODY OF THE TRUCK IS IN SOLID CONDITION, HOWEVER THE FRAME ISSUE IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND HAZARD. *TR
MY 1998 FORD RANGER FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THE GAS TANK IS READY TO FALL OFF . THE SHOCK FELL OFF. THE STRAP FOR THE SPARE TIRE IS RUSTED OFF HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN? *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE TRUCK STARTED SMOKING AND CAUGHT ON FIRE, I PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY AND THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE TRUCK BURST INTO FLAMES. *TR
WHILE IN BED AT 2:00 AM TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE. *TR
REAR SECTION OF FRAME AT REAR BUMPER MOUNT AND SPARE TIRE HOLDER IS COMPLETELY RUSTED TO THE POINT OF HOLES ALL THE WAY THRU. HAVE READ A LOT OF OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. TRUCK IS IN VERY NICE SHAPE OTHER THAN THIS. HAVE OWN MANY MANY FORD TRUCKS OVER THE YEARS. ALL DIFFERENT YEARS FROM 1968-2008. FORD SHOULD MAKE THIS RIG…
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REAR SECTION OF FRAME AT REAR BUMPER MOUNT AND SPARE TIRE HOLDER IS COMPLETELY RUSTED TO THE POINT OF HOLES ALL THE WAY THRU. HAVE READ A LOT OF OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. TRUCK IS IN VERY NICE SHAPE OTHER THAN THIS. HAVE OWN MANY MANY FORD TRUCKS OVER THE YEARS. ALL DIFFERENT YEARS FROM 1968-2008. FORD SHOULD MAKE THIS RIGHT FOR ITS CUSTOMERS. *TR
WENT TO GET ESTIMATE ON REPLACING MUFFLER SYSTEM AND WAS TOLD NOT TO DO IT BECAUSE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND READY TO BREAK. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE JAN. 16 2001. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE REAR SHACKLES IN 2009. DOES FORD HAVE ANY RECALL ON THIS AS I HAVE READ MANY MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT. *TR
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