IllustrationBRAKE SHOE SPRING FAILED. MJS
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
What owners actually said
576 reportsWHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR ,THE DRIVER TRIED TO PUMP THE BRAKES, BUT VEHICLE KEPT GOING. OWNER HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. DEALER SAID THE AXLE BENT, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO GO OUT. *AK
DESIGN OF THE OIL FILTER LOCATION CAUSES ELECTRICAL SPARKS WHENEVER THE FILTER COMES INTO CONTACT WITH STARTER HOT TERMINAL. A PROTECTED COVER SHOULD BE DESIGNED SO THIS CONDITION WOULD NOT OCCUR. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
BRAKES HAVE BEEN EXAMINED TWICE FOR SQUEAKINESS. DEALER HAS STATED THAT THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. NOISES HAVE WORSENED SINCE LAST EXAM ON 12/15/98. THERE ARE SEVERAL AREAS OF RUST ON THE UNDERSIDE OF MY TRUCK AND ON THE OUTTAKE MANIFOLD IN THE ENGINGE. DEALER HAS STATED "THAT'S NORMAL" TO REPEATED INQUIRIES ABOUT THIS RUST.…
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BRAKES HAVE BEEN EXAMINED TWICE FOR SQUEAKINESS. DEALER HAS STATED THAT THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. NOISES HAVE WORSENED SINCE LAST EXAM ON 12/15/98. THERE ARE SEVERAL AREAS OF RUST ON THE UNDERSIDE OF MY TRUCK AND ON THE OUTTAKE MANIFOLD IN THE ENGINGE. DEALER HAS STATED "THAT'S NORMAL" TO REPEATED INQUIRIES ABOUT THIS RUST. I HAVE ALREADY HAD THROTTLE ASSEMBLY PIECE, THE "BUTTERFLY VALVE" REPLACED IN NOV OF 1998. I NOW HAVE SQEAKY NOISES COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE AS WELL, WHICH I WILL SCHEDULE FOR EXAM THIS WEEK, 1/11/99.
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATOR. ACCELERATOR STUCK 11 TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *SB
WHILE PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).
WHILE PULLING INTO GARAGE THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE AT HIGH SPEED, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGES TO GARAGE AND VEHICLE. ALSO, CONSUMER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES. *AK
STARTED VEHICLE UP. HAD DOOR OPENED AT TIMES DRIVER'S LEG NOT INSIDE VEHICLE. VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD, WITHOUT WARNING. HIT A TRUCK & THEN A WALL. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK
SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK DURING SUDDEN BRAKING.
FIRST, NO ACCIDENT HAS HAPPENED YET. IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. I HAVE A 1998 FORD RANGER WITH THE 3.0 ENGINE AND 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE PROBLEM, TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE GAS HAS NO EFFECT ON VEHICLE SPEED. IF TRAFFIC IS SLOWING IN FRONT OF ME, TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE GAS IS THE NORMAL THING TO DO IN ORDER TO ST…
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FIRST, NO ACCIDENT HAS HAPPENED YET. IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. I HAVE A 1998 FORD RANGER WITH THE 3.0 ENGINE AND 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE PROBLEM, TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE GAS HAS NO EFFECT ON VEHICLE SPEED. IF TRAFFIC IS SLOWING IN FRONT OF ME, TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE GAS IS THE NORMAL THING TO DO IN ORDER TO START SLOWING DOWN AND NOT HITTING TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF ME. THIS VEHICLE WILL KEEP ON GOING AND BRAKE APPLICATION IS REQUIRED. AS A FURTHER EXAMPLE. COMING TO A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, THE ENGINE WILL WANT TO RACE ABOVE 2000 UNTIL THE VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. IT TAKES ABOUT 4 SECONDS AFTER THE STOP BEFORE THE COMPUTER WILL SLOW THE ENGINE. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE. BOTH TIMES, THEY HAVE INDICATED THAT A PROBLEM EXISTS WITH THIS ENGINE/TRANSMISSION COMBINATION. HOWEVER, THEIR TESTING EQUIPMENT SHOWS NO PROBLEMS. THEY HAVE REPORTED IT TO FORD BUT CAN DO NOTHING UNTIL FORD ISSUES A PROGRAMMING CHANGE FOR THE COMPUTER. ONE TIME LAST SUMMER, AT A STOP SIGN, THE ENGINE DECIDED TO GO FROM 2000 TO 3600 RPM AND THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT WAS TO KILL THE ENGINE. FORD SEEMS UNWILLING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM WHICH MUST BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY CONCERN. AS AN ADDITIONAL TEST, I GOT ON THE INTERSTATE, GOT UP TO SPEED, PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL, AND TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS. THE ENGINE SPEED REMAINED CONSTANT AT 2800. EVEN TOUCHING THE BRAKE AND SLOWING THE VEHICLE DOWN A SMALL AMOUNT, HAD NO EFFECT ON ENGINE SPEED DURING THIS TEST. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO NOT BE PRESENT WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD. ONCE WARM HOWEVER, AT LEAST 50% OF THE TIME, THE ABOVE CONDITIONS EXIST.
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