MYRModel Year Report

1988 Ford Ranger

▲ Better than typical
1988 Ford Ranger
RENDERED 2026-09-17T04:42:24.622Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Ranger Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1988 highlighted. 1983: 11 complaints 1983 1984: 12 complaints 1985: 27 complaints 1986: 36 complaints 1987: 51 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1988 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 complaints 2016: 1 complaints 2016 2017: 1 complaints 2019: 266 complaints 2020: 127 complaints 2021: 114 complaints 2022: 37 complaints 2022 2023: 18 complaints 2024: 76 complaints 2025: 38 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
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
2019266
2020127
2021114
202237
202318
202476
202538
20266

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 40%

40% of complaints: electrical system — 36 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and front underhood.

FIRE INJURY
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. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20030611

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. NLM

NHTSA ODI report, 20020913

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19950628

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 16%

16% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 14 distinct reports on file, 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, 20050802

SERVICE BRAKES 12%

12% of complaints: service brakes — 11 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

FIRE
POWER TRAIN 12%

12% of complaints: power train — 11 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing manual transmission and clutch assembly.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20180917

DRIVE SHAFT BROKE WHERE CONNECTED BY FRONT POLE PROPELLING ENTIRE VEHICLE AIR BORN THEN CRASHING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950412

SEAT BELTS 11%

11% of complaints: seat belts — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing buckle assembly and anchorage.

CRASH INJURY DEATH

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19870911 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Campaign 87V141000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19900831 — EA (closed 19911231)

THROTTLE STICKING

I 19920316 — PE (closed 19920831)

WHL SEPARATION/TORQUE LOSS

R 19980415 — service brakes, air

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 F

Campaign 98E010000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1988 Ford Ranger — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (36 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (14 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 87V141000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98E010000 (service brakes, air) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2022 ▲ 1986 ▲ 2025

WORST YEARS

■ 1999 ■ 2000 ■ 1998

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.