Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1998 Ford Ranger, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Tires136
- Vehicle speed control71
- Power train60
- Service brakes, hydraulic54
- Suspension52
- Engine and engine cooling51
- Structure45
- Air bags32
- Electrical system29
- Steering19
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 40 injuries and 7 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 72 1998 Ranger vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 63 people died inside them, and 21 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1998 Ford Ranger failed the safety check 2.14% of the time — 25% more often than the average 1998 passenger car (1.71%). Median odometer at inspection: 156,923 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 10 variants: combined 10.9–15.0 L/100 km (about 16–22 mpg US), CO₂ 251–345 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ranger · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 12.1 | 9.5 | 10.9 |
| Ranger · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 13.1 | 10.3 | 11.8 |
| Ranger · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 15.6 | 11.2 | 13.6 |
| Ranger · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 15.5 | 11.2 | 13.6 |
| Ranger 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 15.4 | 11.7 | 13.7 |
| Ranger · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 15.4 | 11.8 | 13.8 |
| Ranger · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 16.1 | 12.0 | 14.2 |
| Ranger 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 16.3 | 12.6 | 14.6 |
| Ranger 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 16.4 | 12.7 | 14.7 |
| Ranger 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 17.0 | 12.6 | 15.0 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
6 Transport Canada recalls for the 1998 Ford Ranger.
| 2007258 7 Aug 2007 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. The failure mode appears t… |
| 2001045 1 Mar 2001 | Structure On certain Ranger Electric vehicles, the bolts that attach the transaxle to the vehicle may loosen and the driver may notice a jerking motion and/or a clunking … |
| 1999143 30 Jul 1999 | Powertrain On certain Ranger Electric vehicles, the transaxle may have been manufactured with the park detent spring misaligned. If the spring is misaligned, the park mec… |
| 1999061 15 Apr 1999 | Engine On certain vehicles, the speed control cable may interfere with the speed control servo pulley and not allow the throttle to return to idle when disengaging the… |
| 1998035 20 Feb 1998 | Suspension NOTE: 4X4 VEHICLES WITH OFF ROAD OPTION. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 120 - TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS. CE… |
| 1997189 30 Oct 1997 | Fuel System THE FLEXIBLE SECTION OF THE CHASSIS MOUNTED FUEL LINE WHICH CONNECTS TO THE ENGINE MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THIS COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE T… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 1998 Ford Ranger: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 637922 | SOME VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 9/15/2001 MAY EXHIBIT LOW LINE PRESSURE READINGS WHILE IN DRIVE, NO 2ND GEAR, NO 3RD GEAR, NO ENGINE BRAKING IN MANUAL 1ST AND SLIPPING SHIFTS AND / OR DELAYED ENGAGEMENTS. *TT |
| 637755 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A NO 1-2 UPSHIFT, NO 2-3 UPSHIFT, A NO ENGINE BRAKING CONDITION IN MANUAL 1 OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0732 (GEAR 2 INCORRECT RATIO) OR P0733 (GEAR 3 INCORRECT RATIO). *TT |
| 637710 | SOME VEHICLES WITH 4WABS MAY EXHIBIT DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES C1233 AND C1234 (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SENSOR OUTPUT FAILURE). *TT |
| 636326 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A SQUEAK, SNAP, RATTLE, OR CLUNK IN THE FRONT END WHEN TURNING OR GOING OVER BUMPS. *TT |
| 636235 | EXPERIENCING A CLICKING / POPPING NOISE FROM THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN AREA WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. *TT |
| 636065 | INFORMATION REGARDING DISCHARGED BATTERY CHARGING SERVICE TIPS AND GUIDELINES. *TT |
| 636056 | CERTAIN VEHICLES WITH 4X4 OR ALL-WHEEL DRIVE MAY HAVE A FLUID LEAK FROM THE FRONT AXLE VENT TUBE. *TT |
| 636047 | HOOTING, EEKING OR MOANING NOISE COMING FROM THE CLUTCH WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. *TT |
| 635998 | LOW LINE PRESSURE READING AT WIDE OPEN THROTTLE (WOT), SLIPPING SHIFTS AND / OR DELAYED ENGAGEMENTS WITH POSSIBLE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0732, P0733, P1762 SET ON VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 12/1/2001. *TT |
| 630653 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT DRIVEABILITY CONDITIONS AND / OR CHECK ENGINE LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE P0455 (GROSS LEAK DETECTED). *TT |
| 630562 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5/3.0L ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A SURGE, HESITATION, ROUGH IDLE OR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0171, P0174, P0175. *TT |
| 630515 | ENGINE OIL SYSTEM PRIMING PROCEDURES, SERVICE TIPS FOR REPORTS OF PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. *TT |
| 630026 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT DRIVEABILTY CONDITIONS AND/OR CHECK ENGINE LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0455 (GROSS LEAK DETECTED). *TT |
| 628153 | OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM SUPPLEMENT 7 REVISED INFORMATION - REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF WILDERNESS AT TIRES. *TT |
| 627927 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT VACUUM OR AIR LEAKS IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND / OR ENGINE SYSTEM CAUSING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0171 AND OR P0174. *TT |
| 627774 | SOME IGNITION SWITCH LOCK CYLINDER ASSEMBLIES MAY EXHIBIT ROUGNESS AND / OR EXCESS EFFORT IN TURNING, KEY DOES NOT FULLY RETURN FROM START, A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP MAY ILLUMINATE WITH P0500, P1502 AND U1039 STORED IN POWERTRIAN CONTROL MODULE (PCM). *TT |
| 627756 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV ENGINES MAY EXHIBIT A LOUD A/C CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT. *TT |
| 627752 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.0L OHV ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT AN ENGINE NOISE WHICH MAY BE PERCEIVED BY THE CUSTOMER AS A PISTON / ONNECTING ROD BEARING KNOCK. *TT |
| 627683 | ON SOME ELECTRIC AND ELECTRIC POSTAL VEHICLES, DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE B2785 TRACTION INVERTER MODULE (TIM) MAY BE SET AND THE VEHICLE WILL ENTER A POWER LIMITED MODE OF OPERATION. *TT |
| 625777 | SOME EV VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A/C INOPEATIVE OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES RELATED TO A/C SYSTEM. *TT |
| 625775 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.0L OHV ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT AN ENGINE NOISE THAT MAY BE PERCEIVED BY THE CUSTOMER A S ADIESEL TYPE NOISE AND IS KNOWN AS MARBLE NOISE. *TT |
| 625715 | BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK.*JB |
| 625700 | INFORMATION ON CLIMATE CONTROL, LOUD A/C CLUTCH CYCLING NOISE.*JB |
| 625018 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT SURGE, HESITATION, ROUGH IDLE OR MALFUNCTION NDICATOR LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0171, P0172, NP0174, P0175. *ET |
| 624982 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT LOUD A/C CLUTCH CYCLING NOISE CONDITION. *JG |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
STEERING KNUCKLE SEPARATIONS
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation