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
What owners actually said
576 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2000
Tires
WE WERE IN A RAINSTORM ON I-95 TRAVELING 70 MPH, WE SLOWED TO 55 IN THE RIGHT LANE AND THE TIRE STARTED TO WOBBLE, THEN IT BLEW. WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE. IF THE PAVEMENT HAD BEEN DRY. WE WOULD HAVE BEEN GOING 75MPH. IT COULD HAVE BEEN TERRIBLE. THE TIRE COMPLETELY BLEW OUT THE SIDEWALL ALL THE WAY AROUND. IT S…
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WE WERE IN A RAINSTORM ON I-95 TRAVELING 70 MPH, WE SLOWED TO 55 IN THE RIGHT LANE AND THE TIRE STARTED TO WOBBLE, THEN IT BLEW. WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE. IF THE PAVEMENT HAD BEEN DRY. WE WOULD HAVE BEEN GOING 75MPH. IT COULD HAVE BEEN TERRIBLE. THE TIRE COMPLETELY BLEW OUT THE SIDEWALL ALL THE WAY AROUND. IT SHOULD NOT HAVE DONE THAT WHEN THE TIRES ARE ROTATED EVERY 6,000 AS ORDERED.WE FEEL THIS IS A TIRE DEFECT. ESPECIALLY SINCE WE COULD HAVE BEEN HURT. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/70R16 )
NHTSA ODI #726579
Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2000
Tires
FRONT 2 TIRES ALREADY HAD TO BE REPLACED (~$190) AND BACK 2 NEED TO BE REPLACED NOW. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 22570R15 )
NHTSA ODI #726492
Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2000
Tires
TIRE DISINTEGRATED AT 80 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P225/70R15 )
NHTSA ODI #726146
Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2000
Tires
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND REAR LEFT TIRE ON DRIVER'S SIDE STARTED SMOKING AND COMPLETLY CAME APART. OTHER THREE SOUNDED FUNNY ON THE HIGHWAY. HE REPLACED THE OTHER THREE TIRES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #866208
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2000
Visibility
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45MPH ON THE HIGHWAY ANDTAILGATE DOOR JUST OPENED ON ITS ON. THIS INCIDENT HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #865246
Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2000
Power Train
THE TRANSMISION TORQUE CONVERTER SEEMS TO WHINE FROM APROX. 2,500 RPM UNTIL GEAR SHIFT WHEN ACCELERATING. WHEN OVERDRIVE IS DISENGAGED ABOVE 50MPH THE TRANSMISION SLAMS. THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT TORQUED CORRECTLY UPON DELIVERY OF VEHICLE RESULTING IN 1 ELONGATED RIM. AIR CONDITIONING HAS BEEN RETURNED TO DEALER 3 TIMES. TOLD …
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THE TRANSMISION TORQUE CONVERTER SEEMS TO WHINE FROM APROX. 2,500 RPM UNTIL GEAR SHIFT WHEN ACCELERATING. WHEN OVERDRIVE IS DISENGAGED ABOVE 50MPH THE TRANSMISION SLAMS. THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT TORQUED CORRECTLY UPON DELIVERY OF VEHICLE RESULTING IN 1 ELONGATED RIM. AIR CONDITIONING HAS BEEN RETURNED TO DEALER 3 TIMES. TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM THAT IT WAS WITHIN "FORD" SPECS, YET MIRACULOUSLY IT IS COLD AGAIN FOR APPROX 1-2 MONTHS.
NHTSA ODI #724413
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2000
Tires
A 1998 FORD RANGER ORGINAL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRES WERE CHIPPING, DEALER REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES. ALSO, THE NEW FIRESTONE TIRES WERE BUBBLING ON THE SIDE. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #863939
Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
WHILE DRIVING BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING REAR BRAKES TO LOCK UP, RESULTING IN A CRASH. DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #863754
Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control
MY COMPLAINT IS AGAINST NHTSA COUNSEL. I WROTE BY EMAIL THE NHTSA COUNSEL ON 2 MAY 1999 DETAILING MY PROBLEM. I RECEIVED NO ANSWER. I WROTE AGAIN ON 7 JUL 1999, AND RECEIVED NO ANSWER. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF NHTSA REALLY DOES ANSWER CONSUMER COMPLAINTS. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO FAX YOU COPIES OF MY ORIGINAL EMAILS TO NHTSA COUN…
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MY COMPLAINT IS AGAINST NHTSA COUNSEL. I WROTE BY EMAIL THE NHTSA COUNSEL ON 2 MAY 1999 DETAILING MY PROBLEM. I RECEIVED NO ANSWER. I WROTE AGAIN ON 7 JUL 1999, AND RECEIVED NO ANSWER. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF NHTSA REALLY DOES ANSWER CONSUMER COMPLAINTS. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO FAX YOU COPIES OF MY ORIGINAL EMAILS TO NHTSA COUNSEL IF YOU SO DESIRE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #724007
Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FRONT BRAKES FAIL BECAUSE THEY LOCK UP UPON STOPPING, AND VEHICLE HAS ONLY REAR BRAKES TO STOP WITH. *AK
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
1
PE99045 · Steering Knuckle Separations
Opened Jul 6, 1999 · Closed Oct 29, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
1998 Ford Ranger Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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