1998 Ford Ranger Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 1%of 576 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,625miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine of the 1998 Ford Ranger, 1% of the 576 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,625 miles. 3 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.
“I was driving on the freeway and the truck started smoking and caught on fire, I pulled off the freeway and the whole front of the truck burst into flames.”
NHTSA complaint #10588216, filed 2014-05, 250 miles“The contact owns a 1998 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the vehicle vibrated and the water reservoir was abnormally low. The vehicle was inspected by a private mechanic, who stated that the number four spark plug was burned. The hatch had cracked and leaked water to the number four spark plug. The failure recurred frequently and had to replace the spark plug every 3,000 miles. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,000. The current mileage was 146,329.”
NHTSA complaint #10509697, filed 2013-04, 139,000 milesEngine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 13% |
| 2025 | 12 | 27% |
| 2024 | 10 | 11% |
| 2023 | 3 | 17% |
| 2022 | 6 | 16% |
| 2021 | 13 | 11% |
| 2020 | 16 | 12% |
| 2019 | 27 | 10% |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 | 4 | 3% |
| 2009 | 3 | 2% |
| 2008 | 4 | 1% |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% |
| 2006 | 12 | 4% |
| 2005 | 7 | 2% |
| 2004 | 7 | 2% |
| 2003 | 9 | 4% |
| 2002 | 6 | 2% |
| 2001 | 6 | 1% |
| 2000 | 6 | 1% |
| 1999 | 5 | 1% |
| 1998 | 3 | 1% |
| 1997 | 4 | 1% |
| 1996 | 2 | 0% |
| 1995 | 1 | 0% |
| 1993 | 1 | 0% |
| 1992 | 1 | 1% |
| 1990 | 1 | 1% |
| 1989 | 2 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1998 Ford Ranger
136 complaintsVehicle speed control
71 complaintsBrakes
60 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
60 complaintsSuspension
52 complaintsEngine cooling
51 complaintsBody and structure
45 complaintsAir bags
32 complaintsElectrical system
29 complaintsInterior lighting
19 complaintsOther or unknown
19 complaintsSteering
19 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Ford Ranger
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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