IllustrationSPARE TIRE CARRIED UNDER TRUCK COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY AND SPARE FELL ON HIGHWAY AND REAR FRAME COMPLETELY RUSTING AWAY. ORIGINAL RIMS HAD TO BE CHANGED ALSO BECAUSE THEY RUSTED SO BAD WOULDN'T HOLD AIR. *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 reportsFRAME ON MY 1998 FORD RANGER RUSTED INTO AT THE REAR SPRING SHACKLES, AND BUMPER. I HAVE NEVER HAD A TRUCK TO DO THIS. THE STEEL CROSSMEMBER THAT RUNS BEHIND THE CAB OVER THE GAS TANK FROM SIDE TO SIDE IS ALSO COMPLETELY GONE FROM RUSTING AWAY. THEY MUST HAVE RECEIVED A BAD BATCH OF STEEL WHEN MAKING THIS YEAR. THE SPARE TIRE H…
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FRAME ON MY 1998 FORD RANGER RUSTED INTO AT THE REAR SPRING SHACKLES, AND BUMPER. I HAVE NEVER HAD A TRUCK TO DO THIS. THE STEEL CROSSMEMBER THAT RUNS BEHIND THE CAB OVER THE GAS TANK FROM SIDE TO SIDE IS ALSO COMPLETELY GONE FROM RUSTING AWAY. THEY MUST HAVE RECEIVED A BAD BATCH OF STEEL WHEN MAKING THIS YEAR. THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER IS ALSO RUSTED AWAY, PLACED THE SPARE TIRE IN THE BED SO THAT IT WOULD NOT FALL OFF WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I SUSPECT THAT THIS WAS VERY COMMON FOR THIS YEAR. *TR
1998 FORD RANGER WITH FRAME RUST. REAR SHACKLES HAVE RUSTED AND FALLEN OFF. *TR
THE REAR BUMPER IN MY 1998 FORD RANGER (80K MILES) IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF, AS THE REAR OF THE FRAME IS RUSTED & BROKEN. I HAVE CABLES HOLDING IT ON NOW. I FOUND THIS OUT AFTER THE REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKLE & BRACKET RUSTED OFF THE FRAME AND BROKE IN TWO. THE SPARE TIRE ALSO LOOKS LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF FROM RUSTED BRACKETS…
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THE REAR BUMPER IN MY 1998 FORD RANGER (80K MILES) IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF, AS THE REAR OF THE FRAME IS RUSTED & BROKEN. I HAVE CABLES HOLDING IT ON NOW. I FOUND THIS OUT AFTER THE REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKLE & BRACKET RUSTED OFF THE FRAME AND BROKE IN TWO. THE SPARE TIRE ALSO LOOKS LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF FROM RUSTED BRACKETS. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE PROBABLY THOUSANDS OF FORD RANGERS IN WHICH THE REAR BUMPER ACTUALLY DID FALL OFF, OR THE SPARE FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE MUCH WORSE THAT THE TOYOTA TRUCKS. IN FACT SOMEONE SAID THAT THE FORD FRAMES WERE BOUGHT AT THE SAME FACTORY AS THE TOYOTA'S, BUT I DO NOT KNOW FORE SURE. EVERYTHING ELSE ON MY TRUCK IS IN BEAUTIFUL CONDITION, NOT A SPECK OF RUST ON THE BODY, AND IT RUNS GREAT. I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW. *TR
THE CAB OF MY 1998 FORD RANGER TRUCK LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT IT WAS THE SEAL OVER THE PASSENGER DOOR, BUT THE WATER IS RUNNING IN THE CAB ABOVE THE REAR WINDOW AND THE SEAL IS TIGHT ON THE WINDOW. AS FAR AS I CAN TELL, THE WATER IS GETTING IN ALONG THE SEAM OF THE CAB ROOF JUST BEHIND THE DOOR ON BOTH SIDES OF…
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THE CAB OF MY 1998 FORD RANGER TRUCK LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT IT WAS THE SEAL OVER THE PASSENGER DOOR, BUT THE WATER IS RUNNING IN THE CAB ABOVE THE REAR WINDOW AND THE SEAL IS TIGHT ON THE WINDOW. AS FAR AS I CAN TELL, THE WATER IS GETTING IN ALONG THE SEAM OF THE CAB ROOF JUST BEHIND THE DOOR ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAB. THE WATER HAS FOUND ITS WAY UP INTO THE FELT AND ROOF INSULATION AND LEFT WATER MARKS BUT (THANKFULLY) NO SEPARATION OF THE ROOF FELT FROM THE CAB BODY YET. I DID USE GE SILICONE CAULK TO FILL IN THE SEAMS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAB, AND IT DID REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF WATER GETTING IN, BUT YESTERDAY IT RAINED AND I NOTICED THAT THE WATER IS STILL GETTING IN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAB ROOF. I REALLY DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE INSPECTED THE DOOR SEALS AND THEY SEEM PLIABLE AND FIRMLY AFFIXED TO THE BODY OF THE TRUCK. THE TRUCK HAS 61,000 MILES ON IT AND I AM THE ONLY DRIVER. IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS, I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE KNOWING BECAUSE THE WATER HAS RESULTED IN TWO SHORTS IN THE TRUCK'S INTERIOR LIGHTING CAUSING ME TO PULL THE FUSE FOR THE INTERIOR LIGHTS. WHEN THE CAB GETS WET INSIDE, THE "DOOR AJAR" LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL NOT SHUT OFF WHEN L TURN THE TRUCK OFF. THE REMOVAL OF THE FUSE, ALTHOUGH GIVING A REMEDY TO THE DOME LIGHT PROBLEM, HAS MADE IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE THE TRUCK AT NIGHT WITH NO INTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE FLOOR OR DOME. QUITE FRANKLY, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT A FIRE WITH ALL THIS DAMPNESS IN THE CAB. *NM
CONSUMER STATES HIS FATHER IN LAW HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH HIS 1998 FORD RANGER AND HAD IT TO ROLL OVER 4 TIMES, BREAKING HIS NECK. CONSUMER ALSO STATES HIS FATHER IN LAW LIVED BUT HE THINKS IT IS THE STRUCTURE OF THE TRUCK THAT CAUSED THE WAS THE FACT THAT FORD MANUFACTURER TOOK B PILLAR OUT OF THE 2001 MODEL. TS
DOOR WILL NOT REGISTER AS BEING CLOSED WHILE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. DASH SENSOR STATES THAT "DOOR IS AJAR" WHEN DOOR IS CLOSED. ALSO, DOME LIGHT WILL COME ON AND OFF WHILE GOING AROUND TURNS. *AK THE DOOR IS AJAR STAYS ON SOMETIME AND GOES OFF IN A WHILE AT OTHER TIME. *YH
DOOR AJAR AND LIGHT STAYING ON FOR 45 MINUTES OR MORE BEFORE SHUTING OFF. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK A SEAL IN THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS LEAKING AND HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, PLACE WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED IS GOING TO REPLACE VEHICLE BECAUSE IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM…
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DOOR AJAR AND LIGHT STAYING ON FOR 45 MINUTES OR MORE BEFORE SHUTING OFF. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK A SEAL IN THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS LEAKING AND HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, PLACE WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED IS GOING TO REPLACE VEHICLE BECAUSE IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THE TRANSMISSION, COMPUTER CHIP, AND DRIVESHAFT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *SLC
CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER BOLTS CAME OUT KNOCKING HOLE THROUGH TRANSMITION CASE.TRANSMISSION CROSS MEMBER HAD TO BE CUT OUT AFTER SPEED NUTS BROKE LOOSE.HEATER FAILED THREE TIMES.THERMOSTAT REPLACED TWICE DIDN'T HELP.BOLTS HOLDING COOLING FAN ON CAME OUT.SWITCH FOR DOME LIGHT FAILED, AND BRAKE ROTORS WARPED.*AK
PASSENGER DOOR--GETS STUCK.
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