IllustrationPE00020; TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: ALL FOUR TIRES WERE SHOWING SIGNS OF TREAD SEPARATION. ALL 4 TIRES HAVE CRACKED AROUND THE TREAD. TIRE SIZE P235/75R15, DOT # VNHL. ORIGINAL TIRE EQUIPMENT ON A 1998, FORD, RANGER. TIRE MILEAGE 43,000. *AK
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 reportsCONTINUOUS CRACKS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TIRES, ABOUT 1" FROM OUTSIDE EDGE, THIS HAS HAPPENED ON ALL FOUR TIRES .( DOT NUMBER: VNHL TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES WERE OUT-OF-ROUND AND COULD NOT BE BALANCED.
PE00020. ORIGINAL TIRES ON A 1998, FORD, RANGER, 23570R15. LEFT REAR AND LEFT FRONT TIRES HAVE FLAT SIDES, CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH AND HAD A BLOWOUT ON THE LEFT REAR TIRE. FIRST CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE, THEN TIRE BLEW OUT, AND CONSUMER COULD SEE PART OF THE TIRE GO RIGHT PASSED HIM. *AK THERE WAS THUMPING NOISE. AF…
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PE00020. ORIGINAL TIRES ON A 1998, FORD, RANGER, 23570R15. LEFT REAR AND LEFT FRONT TIRES HAVE FLAT SIDES, CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH AND HAD A BLOWOUT ON THE LEFT REAR TIRE. FIRST CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE, THEN TIRE BLEW OUT, AND CONSUMER COULD SEE PART OF THE TIRE GO RIGHT PASSED HIM. *AK THERE WAS THUMPING NOISE. AFTER INSPECTING THE TIRES, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE LEFT FRONT AND LEFT REAR TIRES HAD A FLAT SIDE. *YH
THREE OF THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRES ON THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE, SEPARATION AND AIR LOSS. *MJS
ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON 1998, FORD, RANGER WITH 23,000 MILES, TIRE SIZE P235/70R16, DOT VN0811U. ALL 4 TIRES HAD WORN OUT FROM INSIDE AND GOING TOWARDS THE OUTSIDE CAUSING FRONT END TO COME OUT OF ALIGNMENT. TIRES SHOULD HAVE LASTED 50,000 MILES. *AK
ALL TIRES HAVE HAIRLINE CRACK ALONG TOP EDGE OF TIRE. I WAS TOLD BY BOTH A FORD DEALER AND FIRESTONE DEALER THAT WAS AN EARLY INDICATION OF EARLY TIRE SEPERATION. THESE ARE NOT THE RECALLED TIRES I CAN NOT RECIEVE REPLACEMENTS. FIRESTONE OFFERED TO PRO-RATE THE TREAD LIFE AND USE THEIR NORMAL WARRANTY TO GIVE A DISCOUNT ON NE…
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ALL TIRES HAVE HAIRLINE CRACK ALONG TOP EDGE OF TIRE. I WAS TOLD BY BOTH A FORD DEALER AND FIRESTONE DEALER THAT WAS AN EARLY INDICATION OF EARLY TIRE SEPERATION. THESE ARE NOT THE RECALLED TIRES I CAN NOT RECIEVE REPLACEMENTS. FIRESTONE OFFERED TO PRO-RATE THE TREAD LIFE AND USE THEIR NORMAL WARRANTY TO GIVE A DISCOUNT ON NEW TIRES, WHICH THEY DO NOT HAVE. I DO NOT KNOW HOW LONG THE CRACKS HAVE BEEN THERE, AS I JUST LOOKED BECAUSE OF THE RECALL IN THE NEWS. I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THEM AT MY OWN COST WITH ANOTHER BRAND, IF I CAN FIND THEM. I SUGGEST THAT FORD, FIRESTONE AND NHTSA LOOK AT ALL OF THE WILDERNESS TIRES AND NOT JUST THE ONES MADE IN ILLINOIS. *AK( DOT NUMBER: VNHL TIRE SIZE: 235/70R15 )
PEOO O20; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30MPH ON HIGHWAY AND FELT THE TIRE GOING FLAT. HE PULLED OVER, AND LEFT FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS#AT, P23575R15 #DOT W2HL. CONSUMER CONTACTED FIRESTONE.*AK
INSD WAS TRAVELING ON I-95, CLMT WAS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE INSURED, CLMT GOT TOO CLOSE TO THE INSD, INSD ATTEMPTED TO MOVE OVER TO ANOTHER LANE. THE INSD'S DRVIER SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING THE INSD TO HIT THE WALL. THE ROADS WERE WET DUE TO THE RAIN. THIS VEHICLE HAD FIRESTONE TIRES..MODEL 225/70R14 ALTHOUGHT THESE ARE …
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INSD WAS TRAVELING ON I-95, CLMT WAS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE INSURED, CLMT GOT TOO CLOSE TO THE INSD, INSD ATTEMPTED TO MOVE OVER TO ANOTHER LANE. THE INSD'S DRVIER SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING THE INSD TO HIT THE WALL. THE ROADS WERE WET DUE TO THE RAIN. THIS VEHICLE HAD FIRESTONE TIRES..MODEL 225/70R14 ALTHOUGHT THESE ARE NOT THE TIRES IN QUESTION, HAVE ANY BLOW OUTS BEEN REPORTED. (CLAIM# 59-V210-100) *MW
FIRESTONE WRANGLER P265 75 R15 TIRES EXPERIENCED EARLY TREAD WEAR SO CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE BALANCED AND ALIGNED MANY TIMES AND PROBLEM NEVER CORRECTED, DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THE PRESSURE OF THE TIRES WERE TOO HIGH FOR LARGE TIRES ON A SMALL TRUCK, ANOTHER DEALER THOUGHT THE PROBLEM TO BE THE RIMS BEING TO SMALL FOR SUCH BIG…
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FIRESTONE WRANGLER P265 75 R15 TIRES EXPERIENCED EARLY TREAD WEAR SO CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE BALANCED AND ALIGNED MANY TIMES AND PROBLEM NEVER CORRECTED, DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THE PRESSURE OF THE TIRES WERE TOO HIGH FOR LARGE TIRES ON A SMALL TRUCK, ANOTHER DEALER THOUGHT THE PROBLEM TO BE THE RIMS BEING TO SMALL FOR SUCH BIG TIRES, ANOTHER DEALER REPLACED TIRES WITH RADIAL ATX TIRES THAT DIDN'T DO ANY BETTER. *SLC
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