1988 Ford Ranger Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 4%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 4 complaints about the visibility of the 1988 Ford Ranger, 4% of the 89 complaints for this model year. 1 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.
“Both driver's side and passenger's side mirrors failed at any speed. I have replaced them twice because there was no tension adjustment to prevent the mirrors from being blown back to a useless position. I know of 4 other owners with the same problem. But just traveling down the road every 1988-1989 Ford Ranger outfitted with the black ABS plastic flag style mirror has this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #721376, filed 2000-04“While driving on highway all of a sudden the rearview mirror lost tension and fell off. Contacted dealer who knew that there was a problem. Mirror was attached with two screws. Has been replaced 9 times.”
NHTSA complaint #856169, filed 2000-02Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 2% |
| 2024 | 4 | 4% |
| 2023 | 1 | 6% |
| 2022 | 3 | 8% |
| 2020 | 10 | 8% |
| 2019 | 24 | 9% |
| 2011 | 1 | 0% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 5 | 2% |
| 2005 | 1 | 0% |
| 2004 | 9 | 2% |
| 2003 | 1 | 0% |
| 2002 | 7 | 2% |
| 2001 | 5 | 1% |
| 2000 | 4 | 1% |
| 1999 | 74 | 10% |
| 1998 | 16 | 3% |
| 1997 | 36 | 9% |
| 1996 | 52 | 13% |
| 1995 | 63 | 20% |
| 1994 | 13 | 3% |
| 1993 | 5 | 2% |
| 1992 | 22 | 12% |
| 1991 | 13 | 10% |
| 1990 | 12 | 11% |
| 1989 | 2 | 3% |
| 1988 | 4 | 4% |
| 1986 | 1 | 3% |
| 1985 | 4 | 15% |
| 1984 | 2 | 17% |
| 1983 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1988 Ford Ranger
32 complaintsEngine cooling
13 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsSeat belts
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsBody and structure
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