1998 Model Year

Ford Ranger

NHTSA Complaints & Reliability Data

Compare
Complaints
580
Recalls
2
Crashes
66
Severe
134

Active Recalls

Manufacturer safety recalls

98V021000 Feb 1998

Other

No consequence data available

97V186001 Oct 1997

Other

No consequence data available

Recent Complaints

Latest owner reports

Structure
Apr 2021

I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW, I HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS BUT NOW MY FRAME IS IN BAD, BAD, BAD RUSTING CONDITION AND MY MECHANIC SAID IT WILL NOT PASS...

SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Mar 2021

THE REAR OF THE FRAME RUSTED CAUSING THE BUMPER TO HANG OFF. IT WILL FALL OFF IF NOT ADDRESSED

Structure
Oct 2020

REAR FRAME EXCESSIVE RUSTING. SPARE TIRE CARRIER FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING. ONE SIDE OF BUMPER FELL OFF. NOTICED WHEN I STEPPED ON IT

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sep 2020

FRAME IS ROTTED OUT

SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mar 2020

4WD STOPPED WORKING SOME TIME AGO, SERVO/ACTUATOR SEEMED TO BE FREE, RECENTLY STARTED MAKING GRINDING NOISES IN THE FRONT RIGHT, SOUNDS LIKE HUB IS SO...

SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
Jul 2019

THE FRAME HAS RUSTED SO SEVERELY THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION IS DETACHING FROM FRAME AND FRAME IS ALMOST RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH AND WILL SEPARATE SOON...

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Oct 2018

MY FRAME ROTTED STRAIGHT THRU UNDER THE CAB ON BOTH LEFT AND RITE FRAME RAILS Y'ALL MADE TOYOTA FIX THIS SO FORD SHOULD DO THE SAME SO MANY RANGERS WI...

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Aug 2018

MY FUSE #27 FOR BACKUP LIGHTS AND THE O/D KEEPS BLOWING OUT AND NOW THE O/D LIGHT FLASHES SOMETIMES I PULLED THE COVER OFF OF THE STEERING COLUMN BUT...

SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
Jul 2018

VEHICLE BACK BUMPER FELL OFF DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST (WHILE IN MOTION). BALL JOINTS, TIE RODS, UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKETS RUSTED OUT AS WELL A...

SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Oct 2017

"FRAME RECALL ? " WHILE DRIVING FRAME BROKE IN HALF, BOTH SIDES. SINCE OWNING I HAVE REPLACED LEAF SPRING AND SHOCK BRACKET,AND ALSO REMOVED SPARE TIR...

VS

Vehicle Safety Research Team

Automotive Data Analysts

Independent researchers analyzing NHTSA data to help consumers make informed vehicle decisions.

Data updated: March 4, 2026

Summary

The 1998 Ford Ranger has 580 complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most commonly reported issue is Tires. 66 crash-related incidents have been reported.

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