1998 Ford Ranger Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1998 Ford Ranger most often report rear frame rust that advances to the point where spring shackles, bumpers and the spare tire carrier separate or break away, typically on higher-mileage trucks. A second cluster involves the cruise control switch on the brake master cylinder, which complaints describe smoking or burning, and a third covers brake pulsation and stopping problems. Driveline, suspension and airbag complaints round out the sample.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Rear frame rust and broken spare tire carrier

   Mentioned in 21 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe heavy corrosion along the rear frame rails, often concentrated around the spring shackles, crossmember and bumper mounts. Owners report the spare tire, carrier, bumper or a section of frame falling away while driving, and in some cases the frame itself cracking or breaking behind the cab. Several say the rest of the body looks well kept, and that dealers either declined to repair or advised the truck was not worth fixing. Mostly reported between roughly 80,000 and 180,000 miles, generally on older trucks and often in states where road salt is used.

   What to check: Get underneath and probe the rear frame rails, spring shackle brackets, crossmember and spare tire carrier for scale and soft spots before buying. Ask whether the truck has spent winters in a salt state.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I took my truck to have a power steering issue examined. The mechanic determined that the passenger side frame of the truck was severely rusted. I examined the frame and noticed that there were sizable holes in the frame of the truck. The entire body of the truck is in solid condition, however the frame issue is a major safety concern and hazard.”

   NHTSA complaint #10632615, filed 2014-09, 145,000 miles

   “Went to get estimate on replacing muffler system and was told not to do it because frame was rusted and ready to break. I have owned this vehicle since jan. 16 2001. Also had to replace rear shackles in 2009. Does Ford have any recall on this as I have read many many others that have the same complaint.”

   NHTSA complaint #10546284, filed 2013-09, 116,000 miles
2. 2
   Vehicle speed control

   Cruise control switch smoking or catching fire

   Mentioned in 7 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe smoke or flames from the area in front of the brake master cylinder reservoir, sometimes while parked with the engine off and sometimes while driving. Owners who took the truck in report the dealer replaced the cruise control switch, brake pressure switch or the damaged master cylinder. Some note the truck still burned after the recall repair was performed, and others say the needed part was unavailable for months. Reported from about 20,000 to 136,000 miles, in a mix of parked and driving situations.

   Recall 07V336000Recall 99V062001

   What to check: Ask whether the speed control deactivation switch recall was performed and check the switch on the master cylinder for signs of heat, melted plastic or a jumper harness.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Recall # 05s28 - Ford has not made available to the dealer the necessary part (wiring with a fuse) to repair a defect (speed control switch)that I was notified about in a letter dated august of 2007. Now Ford tells me that the necessary part will not be available before june of 2008!”

   NHTSA complaint #10223705, filed 2008-04, 60,000 miles

   “My 1998 Ford Ranger caught fire on july 31, 2006. The truck had been parked in front of our house and the engine had been turned off. Minutes later, the vehicle unexpectedly caught fire under the hood and a watchful neighbor called the fire department. Now, the vehicle's engine is completely charred, property on the house is damaged, and the vehicle is a total loss. I have contacted my insurance company and I will have a fire inspector determine the cause of the fire. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10164062, filed 2006-08, 48,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake pulsation, grinding and long stopping

   • 31 complaints (5%)
   • median 83,000 mi at 12.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2015

   Owners describe a pulsating pedal, often attributed to warped or rust-pitted front rotors, sometimes recurring shortly after a rotor replacement. Other complaints describe grinding or a spongy pedal with the truck taking much longer than expected to stop, and one reports complete brake failure followed by a collision. Owners and mechanics point to ABS behavior and to leaking or cracked master cylinder seals. Spread from roughly 40,000 to 210,000 miles, with several reports under 60,000 miles.

   What to check: Drive and brake from speed on a quiet road to feel for pedal pulsation or grabbing, and have the rotors, pads and master cylinder inspected for rust pitting and leaks.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Everytime I press my brake pedal, there is a grinding/pulsating and the vehicle slowly skids to a stop, usually only 10-15 feet after I intended on stopping. Less than one (1) year ago, the brakes went out on my 1998 Ford Ranger. The mechanic told me that the ABS on the vehicle is where the problem was occurring, yet he didn't know how to fix it. He said the unnecessary pressure being applied by the ABS system caused my master cylinder's seals to crack. I paid over $400 for all brake repairs. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10263001, filed 2009-03, 125,000 miles

   “1998 Ford Ranger pickup truck. Pulsating brake pedal,l suspected warped front brake rotors. I had similar problem with 1991 Ford explorer. First occurance in march 2001 Ford replaced rotors under warranty on 2/12/2001, vehicle had 24,170 miles at time of repair.second time with similar problem at 42717 miles only 18547 miles after first problem on 5/27/2004. Rotors had to be replaced again they were rusty and pitted. I paid for this repair the dealer was going to take it up with Ford rep but claim was denied. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10088265, filed 2004-08, 42,717 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Automatic transmission and driveline shifting problems

   • 35 complaints (6%)
   • median 43,522 mi at 8.6 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2020

   Complaints describe inconsistent shifting, hesitation when moving the lever into park, and the truck surging forward while stopped in drive. Others report a thump or clunk on light acceleration from a stop or when braking to a halt, and a rear axle pinion failure where the driveshaft twisted and broke. Some had the transmission inspected without a clear fix. Reported from about 35,000 to 60,000 miles in the complaints describing shifting concerns, with driveline noise reported at higher mileages.

   Recall 99V2040003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test the transmission cold and warm through all gears, listen for a clunk when pulling away or stopping, and check for axle or vent-tube leaks.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Front wheel drive intermittent even when 4x4 light is on and 4x4 switch is engaged. Most notable when below outside temperatures are 30 degrees fahrenheit and below. Multiple Ford dealers have tried but cannot duplicate condition. This condition is increasing in frequency and has created some dangerous driving situations due to lack of traction when driver thought 4wd system was engaged.”

   NHTSA complaint #10054215, filed 2004-01, 43,000 miles

   “1998 Ford Ranger, drive shaft broke on vehicle. After the drive shaft broke, it went through the gas tank can caused the vehicle to catch on fire. Ohio traffic crash report #10-0294-89 updated 05/03/10 updated 05/24/10 the rear axle pinion froze, the drive shaft twisted and broke in two. Updated 05/28/10”

   NHTSA complaint #10321950, filed 2010-03, 35,000 miles
5. 5
   Air bags

   Airbags not deploying in a collision

   • 27 complaints (5%)
   • median 40,000 mi at 5.4 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 25 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2015

   Several owners describe front-end collisions after which neither airbag deployed, including one with reported minor injuries. Complaints mention a failed airbag sensor, a flashing airbag warning light, and a dealer explanation that an internal resistance level had risen so the airbag would no longer function. One owner was told the airbag warranty ended at five years or 50,000 miles. Reported from very low mileage up to about 56,000 miles, varying with the age of the truck.

   What to check: Verify the airbag warning light behaves normally on startup and ask whether the airbag system has been scanned for stored fault codes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was involved in a 20-25mph rear end colision. I had ran into the back of an old gmc pickup causing $4000.00 worth of damage to the front end of my truck. Both the driver and the passenger airbag never deployed. While the truck was in the shop for repairs the shop had found out the airbag sensor was bad. They tried to replace the sensor but was informed by Ford that the sensor on that make and model has been changed and the location of the sensor(s) are in now located in a different spot other then on the radiator mounts. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10000483, filed 2003-01, 86,000 miles

   “Driver's side airbag stopped working for no reason. Flashing warning light came on indicating a problem. Went to Ford dealer (suburban in sandy, or) and they said the 'resistance' level had increased causing the airbag to no longer function. Called Ford, they gave me a senior discount , although not a senior. Said that airbags fall under 5 year/50000 mile warranty. The Ranger has 56,000. Ford said that they cannot guarantee the function of an airbag for more than 5 years or 50,000 miles. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10178271, filed 2007-01, 55,842 miles

Buying note. The most important thing to inspect on this model year is the rear frame and its mounts, since rust there is the most frequent and most serious theme in owner reports. Also confirm the cruise control switch recall work and have the brakes, transmission and airbag system checked before purchase.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.