1988 Ford Ranger Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 15%of 89 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1988 Ford Ranger, 15% of the 89 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,000 miles. 5 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Driving 60 MPH, a loss of power was noticed. This became a loud exhaust noise. After coasting to a stop, putting up the hood to search for problems, and finding no evidence of any, attempted to restart the vehicle. The vehicle backfired, and smoke began to pour out from the exhaust system. A fire started which completely destroyed the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10343825, filed 2010-07, 89,000 miles“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 complaint #10131091, filed 2005-08“General engine failure occurs when oem oil pan gasket fails and plugs oil pump pickup and produces a low or no oil pressure situation internally. Sb bc307291-228, 94-1-11 and 94-6-15 related to this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #540527, filed 1998-08Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 3 | 3% |
| 2020 | 2 | 2% |
| 2019 | 5 | 2% |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 3 | 2% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 7 | 3% |
| 2005 | 10 | 3% |
| 2004 | 17 | 4% |
| 2003 | 18 | 7% |
| 2002 | 39 | 11% |
| 2001 | 29 | 6% |
| 2000 | 37 | 6% |
| 1999 | 45 | 6% |
| 1998 | 51 | 9% |
| 1997 | 14 | 3% |
| 1996 | 31 | 8% |
| 1995 | 14 | 4% |
| 1994 | 23 | 5% |
| 1993 | 12 | 5% |
| 1992 | 16 | 8% |
| 1991 | 16 | 12% |
| 1990 | 10 | 10% |
| 1989 | 11 | 15% |
| 1988 | 13 | 15% |
| 1987 | 7 | 14% |
| 1986 | 7 | 20% |
| 1985 | 3 | 11% |
| 1984 | 2 | 17% |
| 1983 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1988 Ford Ranger
32 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsSeat belts
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1988 Ford Ranger
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology