1988 Ford Ranger Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 7%of 89 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the fuel system of the 1988 Ford Ranger, 7% of the 89 complaints for this model year. 2 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.
“Dt: the contact stated 1988 Ford Ranger caught on fire on july 28 ,05. It burned up all of the wiring, engine, and one tire. The fire originated from under the hood. The car had been sitting for one year. The consumer had been working on the car. He rebuilt the transmission, put a new rear end under it, and put on oxygen sensors. He attempted to restart vehicle and it quit. He went to start it again it back fired and caught on fire. Has not contacted Ford about the fire. He seemed to think the fire was fuel related.”
NHTSA complaint #10132247, filed 2005-08Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 4% |
| 2024 | 8 | 8% |
| 2023 | 1 | 6% |
| 2022 | 2 | 5% |
| 2021 | 8 | 7% |
| 2020 | 2 | 2% |
| 2019 | 9 | 3% |
| 2011 | 6 | 3% |
| 2010 | 3 | 2% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% |
| 2006 | 16 | 6% |
| 2005 | 50 | 17% |
| 2004 | 21 | 5% |
| 2003 | 18 | 7% |
| 2002 | 17 | 5% |
| 2001 | 31 | 6% |
| 2000 | 26 | 4% |
| 1999 | 18 | 2% |
| 1998 | 18 | 3% |
| 1997 | 67 | 16% |
| 1996 | 35 | 8% |
| 1995 | 23 | 7% |
| 1994 | 63 | 14% |
| 1993 | 21 | 9% |
| 1992 | 10 | 5% |
| 1991 | 4 | 3% |
| 1990 | 11 | 10% |
| 1989 | 10 | 14% |
| 1988 | 6 | 7% |
| 1987 | 7 | 14% |
| 1986 | 4 | 11% |
| 1985 | 2 | 7% |
| 1984 | 1 | 8% |
| 1983 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1988 Ford Ranger
32 complaintsEngine cooling
13 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsSeat belts
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 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 31, 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