1998 Ford Ranger
This year had more than double the complaints of 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.
- Complaints
- 576
- Recalls
- 11
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- Tires
Campaigns on file for 1998
Opened by NHTSA
24% of complaints
Complaints per year
1998: 576 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1983 | 11 |
| 1984 | 12 |
| 1985 | 27 |
| 1986 | 36 |
| 1987 | 51 |
| 1988 | 90 |
| 1989 | 73 |
| 1990 | 106 |
| 1991 | 133 |
| 1992 | 191 |
| 1993 | 235 |
| 1994 | 455 |
| 1995 | 321 |
| 1996 | 413 |
| 1997 | 411 |
| 1998 | 576 |
| 1999 | 755 |
| 2000 | 670 |
| 2001 | 515 |
| 2002 | 346 |
| 2003 | 243 |
| 2004 | 404 |
| 2005 | 289 |
| 2006 | 271 |
| 2007 | 270 |
| 2008 | 326 |
| 2009 | 168 |
| 2010 | 156 |
| 2011 | 235 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 269 |
| 2020 | 129 |
| 2021 | 117 |
| 2022 | 37 |
| 2023 | 18 |
| 2024 | 87 |
| 2025 | 43 |
| 2026 | 7 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Tires
24% · 137 reportsMost commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.
Vehicle speed control
13% · 73 reportsMost commonly citing cruise control and accelerator pedal.
Show complaint excerpts
While driving the truck 35 MPH, the engine revved high, jumped gears and the truck accelerated to a very high speed. At that point the back end of the truck shifted to the right.
NHTSA ODI report, 1998-05-18
Service brakes
11% · 66 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Power train
11% · 64 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and driveshaft.
Suspension
10% · 55 reportsMost commonly citing front and rear.
Show complaint excerpts
While driving on a flat, straight surface, heard a click under vehicle. Vehicle swerved to the right losing control, resulting in a clash/injuries. Vehicle was totaled.
NHTSA ODI report, 1998-04-12
"Frame recall ? " While driving frame broke in half, both sides. Since owning I have replaced leaf spring and shock bracket,and also removed spare tire bracket before it fell off in roadway. This needs to be addressed before someone gets killed!!!
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-10-29
Safety timeline
11 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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1997-12-01Fuel system, gasoline97V186001 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…
Remedy: Dealers will install an additional clip to hold the fuel line in the intended design position.
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1998Complaint volume 576 complaints filed for this model year.
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1998-07-06Equipment98V021000 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…
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…
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1999-03-27Vehicle speed control99V062001 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…
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…
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1999-07-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-10-29 Steering knuckle separations
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1999-07-28Power train99V204000 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…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transaxle and any with misaligned park detent springs will be replaced.
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2000-08-26Tires00T005000 Tire description: firestone wilderness at, size P235/75R15, produced at the decatur, Illinois tire plant and all firestone radial atx and radial atx ii tires, size P235/75R15. Operation of these…
Remedy: The replacement/reimbursement program for this campaign expired on August 29, 2001. However, customers should contact firestone customer service at 1-800-465-1904 for possible assistance.
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2001-06-04Tires01X001000 This is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Equipment description: Ford is replacing all firestone…
Remedy: The replacement/reimbursement program for this campaign expired on March 31, 2002. However, customers can contact Ford at 1-877-917-3673 or go on-line to www.Ford.com for possible assistance.
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2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…
Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.
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2006-08-04Fuel system, gasoline06E056000 Certain aftermarket fuel filters sold under the purolator brand name, p/n F65277, shipped from January 16 through June 2, 2006, for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Due to incorrect…
Remedy: Ufi will notify owners and replace the filters free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2006. Owners may contact ufi filters USA at 800-230-5876.
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2007-08-13Vehicle speed control07V336000 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…
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…
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2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…
Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
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2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…
Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.
Buy-smart checklist
1998 Ford Ranger — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Tires: 137 reports on file for this year.
- Vehicle speed control: 73 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 66 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 97V186001 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 98V021000 · Equipment
- Recall 99V062001 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 99V204000 · Power train
- Recall 00T005000 · Tires
- Recall 01X001000 · Tires
- Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 06E056000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 07V336000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1998 Ford Ranger reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Ford Ranger is rated "significantly worse".
- What are the most common problems with the 1998 Ford Ranger?
- The most-reported component is tires, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1998 Ford Ranger have?
- 11 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.