MYRModel Year Report

1988 Ford Ranger

▲ Better than typical
1988 Ford Ranger
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:42:55.871Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
90
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1988

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

40% of complaints

Complaints per year

1983: 11 complaints 1983 1984: 12 complaints 1985: 27 complaints 1986: 36 complaints 1987: 51 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1988 90 1989: 73 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1991: 133 complaints 1992: 191 complaints 1993: 235 complaints 1993 1994: 455 complaints 1995: 321 complaints 1996: 413 complaints 1997: 411 complaints 1998: 576 complaints 1998 1999: 755 complaints 2000: 670 complaints 2001: 515 complaints 2002: 346 complaints 2003: 243 complaints 2003 2004: 404 complaints 2005: 289 complaints 2006: 271 complaints 2007: 270 complaints 2008: 326 complaints 2008 2009: 168 complaints 2010: 156 complaints 2011: 235 complaints 2014: 1 complaint 2016: 1 complaint 2016 2017: 1 complaint 2019: 271 complaints 2020: 130 complaints 2021: 119 complaints 2022: 38 complaints 2022 2023: 18 complaints 2024: 93 complaints 2025: 45 complaints 2026: 9 complaints
1983: 11 complaints 1983 1984: 12 complaints 1985: 27 complaints 1986: 36 complaints 1987: 51 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1988 90 1989: 73 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1991: 133 complaints 1992: 191 complaints 1992 1993: 235 complaints 1994: 455 complaints 1995: 321 complaints 1995 1996: 413 complaints 1997: 411 complaints 1998: 576 complaints 1998 1999: 755 complaints 2000: 670 complaints 2001: 515 complaints 2001 2002: 346 complaints 2003: 243 complaints 2004: 404 complaints 2004 2005: 289 complaints 2006: 271 complaints 2007: 270 complaints 2007 2008: 326 complaints 2009: 168 complaints 2010: 156 complaints 2010 2011: 235 complaints 2014: 1 complaint 2016: 1 complaint 2016 2017: 1 complaint 2019: 271 complaints 2020: 130 complaints 2020 2021: 119 complaints 2022: 38 complaints 2023: 18 complaints 2023 2024: 93 complaints 2025: 45 complaints 2026: 9 complaints 2026
1983: 11 complaints 1983 1984: 12 complaints 1985: 27 complaints 1985 1986: 36 complaints 1987: 51 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1988 90 1989: 73 complaints 1990: 106 complaints 1991: 133 complaints 1991 1992: 191 complaints 1993: 235 complaints 1993 1994: 455 complaints 1995: 321 complaints 1995 1996: 413 complaints 1997: 411 complaints 1997 1998: 576 complaints 1999: 755 complaints 1999 2000: 670 complaints 2001: 515 complaints 2001 2002: 346 complaints 2003: 243 complaints 2003 2004: 404 complaints 2005: 289 complaints 2005 2006: 271 complaints 2007: 270 complaints 2007 2008: 326 complaints 2009: 168 complaints 2009 2010: 156 complaints 2011: 235 complaints 2011 2014: 1 complaint 2016: 1 complaint 2016 2017: 1 complaint 2019: 271 complaints 2019 2020: 130 complaints 2021: 119 complaints 2021 2022: 38 complaints 2023: 18 complaints 2023 2024: 93 complaints 2025: 45 complaints 2025 2026: 9 complaints

1988: 90 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
198311
198412
198527
198636
198751
198890
198973
1990106
1991133
1992191
1993235
1994455
1995321
1996413
1997411
1998576
1999755
2000670
2001515
2002346
2003243
2004404
2005289
2006271
2007270
2008326
2009168
2010156
2011235
20141
20161
20171
2019271
2020130
2021119
202238
202318
202493
202545
20269

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

40% · 36 reports

Most commonly citing switch and front underhood.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While traveling on the highway headlights started flicking on and off. Consumer turned the vehicle off and it caught on fire underneath the hood.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-11

Consumer states while driving the vehicle the ignition switch caught on fire, vehicle was pull out the road. Dealer has been notified. If you have any additional information feel free to add.…

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-13

Engine compartment fire, possible electrical system fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-06-28

Engine and engine cooling

16% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Dt: the vehicle caught on fire on the engine by the fuel rail. Fire department came and extinguished the fire. This happened on July 26, 2005. The vehicle had been parked for several months. Tried to start it then it back fired and caught flames.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-08-02

Service brakes

12% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

FIRE

Power train

12% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing manual transmission and clutch assembly.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was driving uphill on highway 152 when my slip yoke exploded blowing out the rear of the bellhousing to my transmission throwing the truck rear end 6 ft in the air and the nose of the truck 3 feet in the air this was caused by the drive shaft...

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-09-17

Drive shaft broke where connected by front pole propelling entire vehicle air born then crashing. Please describe details. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-04-12

Seat belts

11% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing buckle assembly and anchorage.

CRASHINJURYDEATH

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1987-09-11Service brakes, hydraulic87V141000 Trucks were built with incorrect rear brake assemblies. Consequence of defect: a tendency for rear brake lockup would exist particularly during heavy brake applicaion with a lightly loaded truck.

    Remedy: Replace rear brake assemblies.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1990-08-31Engineering analysisClosed 1991-12-31 Throttle sticking
  3. I
    1992-03-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-08-31 Whl separation/torque loss
  4. R
    1998-04-15Service brakes, air98E010000 Equipment description: aftermarket brake rotors for use on certain Ford and Mazda trucks. Cracked castings caused cracks to appear on the outer diameter of the rotor hat or around the stud hole.

    Remedy: Aimco will reimburse consumers/installers for the cost of replacement rotors and installation. Consumers are requested to return to the location where the rotors were originally purchased/installed…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1988 Ford Ranger — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 36 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 14 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 11 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 87V141000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 98E010000 · Service brakes, air
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1988 Ford Ranger reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1988 Ford Ranger is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1988 Ford Ranger?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 40% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1988 Ford Ranger have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.