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
140,000 miles · Jun 1, 2013
StructureSuspension
THE FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FROM ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF THE DOOR TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION MOUNT IS ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE FROM RUST. I SHOWED IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE AS IT IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE BUT THEY EITHER COULD OR WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE COIL SPRING POCKET IS CRACKED AND THE SPRI…
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THE FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FROM ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF THE DOOR TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION MOUNT IS ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE FROM RUST. I SHOWED IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE AS IT IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE BUT THEY EITHER COULD OR WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE COIL SPRING POCKET IS CRACKED AND THE SPRING IS ABOUT TO POP OUT. I CANNOT AFFORD A NEW VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. THE FRAME IS BROKEN AND CRACKED IN SEVERAL AREAS DUE TO STRESS FROM FLEXING BECAUSE OF THE RUST. I ATTEMPTED TO GET A LOCAL FABRICATION SHOP WELD IT BUT THEY WILL NOT TOUCH IT. I CAN TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS IF NEED BE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY TOLD ME THEY HAVE HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM BUT NOT ENOUGH TO ISSUE A RECALL. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE BUT HAVE NO CHOICE. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED REAR SPRING MOUNTS AND SHACKLES BECAUSE OF RUST BUT I CANNOT REPLACE THE FRAME AND NO ONE WILL TOUCH IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10514593
139,000 miles · Apr 26, 2013
EngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE WATER RESERVOIR WAS ABNORMALLY LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE NUMBER FOUR SPARK PLUG WAS BURNED. THE HATCH HAD CRACKED AND LEAKED WATER TO THE NUMBER FOUR SPARK PLUG. THE FAILURE RECURRED FREQU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE WATER RESERVOIR WAS ABNORMALLY LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE NUMBER FOUR SPARK PLUG WAS BURNED. THE HATCH HAD CRACKED AND LEAKED WATER TO THE NUMBER FOUR SPARK PLUG. THE FAILURE RECURRED FREQUENTLY AND HAD TO REPLACE THE SPARK PLUG EVERY 3,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 146,329.
NHTSA ODI #10509697
100,000 miles · Feb 15, 2013
Structure
TRUCK IN OVER ALL GREAT SHAPE HOWEVER THE FRAME IS BEAT I KNOW FORD SAYS SALT BUT LOOKING AT THE REST OF TRUCK ONE CAN SEE IT WAS TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF. LIKE TOYOTA ,WITH THEM BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ISSUES OF THEIR FRAMES I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT FORD IS ABOVE THE RIGHT THING TO DO... IN CLOSING PLEASE LET ME KNOW, IF ANY RESPO…
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TRUCK IN OVER ALL GREAT SHAPE HOWEVER THE FRAME IS BEAT I KNOW FORD SAYS SALT BUT LOOKING AT THE REST OF TRUCK ONE CAN SEE IT WAS TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF. LIKE TOYOTA ,WITH THEM BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ISSUES OF THEIR FRAMES I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT FORD IS ABOVE THE RIGHT THING TO DO... IN CLOSING PLEASE LET ME KNOW, IF ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS IS FORDS . THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR TIME IN THIS MATTER, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10498246
180 miles · Jan 27, 2013
SuspensionUnknown Or Other
REAR FRAME HAS ROTTED OUT BY THE RIGHT REAR SPRING HANGER CAUSING SPRING TO GO TRU BED AND THE REAR AXLE TO BE DETACHED THE TRUCK AT THIS TIME IN IN OPERABLE DUE TO THIS WILL BE TRYING TO WELD AND REPLACE IT AS BEST AS CAN BE BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT IM READING ABOUT ONLINE SURE WISH FORD WOULD …
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REAR FRAME HAS ROTTED OUT BY THE RIGHT REAR SPRING HANGER CAUSING SPRING TO GO TRU BED AND THE REAR AXLE TO BE DETACHED THE TRUCK AT THIS TIME IN IN OPERABLE DUE TO THIS WILL BE TRYING TO WELD AND REPLACE IT AS BEST AS CAN BE BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT IM READING ABOUT ONLINE SURE WISH FORD WOULD STEP UP LIKE TOYOTA DID
NHTSA ODI #10495541
131,800 miles · Jan 20, 2013
StructureSuspension
THE FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH IN SPOTS ALL THE WAY DOWN THE FRAME. IT LOOKS CLOSE TO BREAKING IN HALF IN SOME SPOTS. A 1998 VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS MUCH RUST NO MATTER WHERE IT CAME FROM. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS VEHICLE, IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10493593
50,000 miles · Jan 14, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
TURN SIGNALS FAILURE AT TIMES, DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10492989
85,107 miles · Oct 20, 2012
SuspensionUnknown Or Other
SEVERELY RUSTED OUT REAR FRAME RAILS THAT WOULD NOT PASS PA. INSPECTION CODES. IN THE PAST 3 YEARS I HAVE REPLACED ALL THE REAR SPRING HANGERS AND MOUNTS. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE FORD RANGER LINE AND IS WHY IM SENDING THIS LETTER AND FORM.
NHTSA ODI #10481841
150,000 miles · Oct 1, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE RIVETS ATTACHED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND BRACKETS WERE CORRODED. AS A RESULT, THE MECHANIC HAD…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE RIVETS ATTACHED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND BRACKETS WERE CORRODED. AS A RESULT, THE MECHANIC HAD TO REATTACH THE PEDAL WITH NEW BOLTS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA ODI #10478096
134,000 miles · Jun 30, 2012
Suspension
REAR LEAF SPRING MOUNTS ROTTED AND BROKEN , REAR BUMPER MOUNTS ROTTED AND VERY CLOSE TO FAILURE , SPARE TIRE MOUNT SEVERLEY ROTTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10463639
131,000 miles · Jun 28, 2012
StructureSuspension
REAR SECTION OF FRAME THAT HOLD SPARE TIRE FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING, TIRE AND FRAME SECTION JUST MISSED A VEHICLE BEHIND ME, AT THIS SAME TIME THE FRAME BROKE OFF JUST IN FRONT OF THE REAR SPRING HANGER ON THE DRIVER SIDE. *TR
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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