IllustrationCRACK LINES AROUND CIRCUMFERENCE OF TIRE WHERE TREAD MEETS SIDEWALL. *AK( DOT NUMBER: VNHL1PY028 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
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
Tires complaints
136 reportsPART OF THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE CASING. THE FIRESTONE DEALER SAID AT THE TIME IT WAS A " ROAD HAZARD, THAT YOU MUST HAVE RAN OVER SOMETHING." AND CHARGED ME FOR A NEW TIRE TO REPLACE IT. I KNOW I DIDN'T RUN OVER ANYTHING, BUT AT THE TIME WHAT WAS I GOING TO DO? NOW THAT I'M HEARING ABOUT THE RECALL, I THOUGHT I SHOULD LET …
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PART OF THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE CASING. THE FIRESTONE DEALER SAID AT THE TIME IT WAS A " ROAD HAZARD, THAT YOU MUST HAVE RAN OVER SOMETHING." AND CHARGED ME FOR A NEW TIRE TO REPLACE IT. I KNOW I DIDN'T RUN OVER ANYTHING, BUT AT THE TIME WHAT WAS I GOING TO DO? NOW THAT I'M HEARING ABOUT THE RECALL, I THOUGHT I SHOULD LET SOMEONE KNOW IT'S NOT JUST THE 15" TIRES. *AK( DOT NUMBER: ? TIRE SIZE: P2357016 )
ON FEB 12 2000, SOMETHING HAPPENED TO THE FRONT (DRIVER SIDE) TIRE - IT BUCKLED OFF THE RIM. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON A CURVE AT THE TOP OF A HILL. BECAUSE OF THE CURVE THE TRAVEL SPEED WAS AROUND 20 TO 25 MILES AN HOUR. THE TIRE CAME OFF THE RIM, MY SON COULD NOT CONTROL THE TRUCK, THE TRUCK HIT AN EMBANKMENT, AND THE TR…
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ON FEB 12 2000, SOMETHING HAPPENED TO THE FRONT (DRIVER SIDE) TIRE - IT BUCKLED OFF THE RIM. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON A CURVE AT THE TOP OF A HILL. BECAUSE OF THE CURVE THE TRAVEL SPEED WAS AROUND 20 TO 25 MILES AN HOUR. THE TIRE CAME OFF THE RIM, MY SON COULD NOT CONTROL THE TRUCK, THE TRUCK HIT AN EMBANKMENT, AND THE TRUCK ROLLED OVER. WE CONTACTED OUR INSURANCE COMPANY (NATIONWIDE), THEY TOOK THE TRUCK TO A RECOVERY /LOSS CENTER. WE ASKED IF SOME ONE WOULD INVESTIGATE WHY THE TIRE WOULD HAVE COME OFF THE RIM AND THEY SAID TIRES BLOW OUT ALL THE TIME. WE WERE HAPPY NO ONE WAS HURT AND ACCEPTED THE ANSWER. BUT EVERY DAY I HEAR MORE ABOUT THE RECALL ON THE FIRESTONE TIRES AND I AM CONCERNED THERE ARE OTHER PROBLEMS, BESIDES THE TREAD SEPARATION. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION. BUT I ALSO BELIEVE WE WERE VERY LUCKY THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED AT A SLOW SPEED. SOME ONE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED IF THE TIRE WOULD HAVE BLOWN OUT ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P21575RX15 )
FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES FAILED CAUSING A THUMPING NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL TO PULL TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. NLM
ALL FOUR TIRES ARE WEARING OUT EXCESSIVELY AROUND THE EDGES. MIDDLE OF TIRES ARE DOING FINE. VEHICLE WAS CHECKED DUE TO THE RIGHT TIRE FAILING TO MAINTAIN AIR. NO LEAKS WERE FOUND. FORD DEALER WILL NOT EXCHANGE THE TIRES. INDICATED NOT ON RECALL. FIRESTONE RETAILER INDICATED THE SAME. TIRES HAS 50,000 MILES ON A 1998 FORD RAN…
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ALL FOUR TIRES ARE WEARING OUT EXCESSIVELY AROUND THE EDGES. MIDDLE OF TIRES ARE DOING FINE. VEHICLE WAS CHECKED DUE TO THE RIGHT TIRE FAILING TO MAINTAIN AIR. NO LEAKS WERE FOUND. FORD DEALER WILL NOT EXCHANGE THE TIRES. INDICATED NOT ON RECALL. FIRESTONE RETAILER INDICATED THE SAME. TIRES HAS 50,000 MILES ON A 1998 FORD RANGER. P235/75R15. *AK THE TIRES WERE NOT ON RECALL, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. BUT THESE TIRES WERE CRACKING AROUND THE TREAD JUST LIKE THOSE ON RECALL. *YH
PE00-020; TIRE SIZE P235/75R15, DOT W2HL, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON FORD, RANGER, 1998 WITH 31,000 MILES. RIGHT REAR TIRE HAS CRACKS RIGHT BELOW TREAD, AND THAT RUNS ALL AROUND TIRE ON BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF TIRES.*AK TIRE WAS NOT ON RECALL AND THE CUSOMER REPLACED ALL 4 OF THEM. *YH
PE00-020; ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON FORD, RANGER ,1998 WITH 30,000 MILES, TIRE SIZE P235/75R15, DOT VNHL307. ALL 4 TIRES HAVE DEVELOPED CONTINUOUS CRACKS ALL AROUND THE TIRES ON THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF TIRES. IT LOOKED LIKE IT COULD BE PEELING OFF.*AK
ONE TIRE HAS SPLIT IN TREAD 60% OF CIRCUMFERENCE. OTHERS HAVE SMALLER CRACKS/SPLITS.( DOT NUMBER: VN08 TIRE SIZE: P23570R16 )
DRIVING ALONG, LUCKILLY NOT VERY FAST. TIRE SHREDDED. I DO NOT BELEIVE I HIT ANYTHING. THE OTHER THREE TIRES SIDEWALLS RIGHT AROUND THE LETTERING ARE ALSO STARTING TO LOOK FUNNY. THE BLACK AROUND THE LETTERS IS COMING OFF.( DOT NUMBER: D2UU TIRE SIZE: P225-70-R1 )
APPEARS TO BE A STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF TIRE BETWEEN SIDEWALL AND TREAD, PARTIAL TREAD DELAMINATION, SIDEWALL TORN IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS. THERE WAS NO PRIOR DAMAGE TO THE TIRE, AND NOTHING WAS HIT PRIOR TO BLOWOUT. ALLOY WHEEL DAMAGED, LIKELY WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED.( DOT NUMBER: VNFC 1P4 TIRE SIZE: P225/70R14 )
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