1998 Ford Ranger Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 1%of 576 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 63,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 1998 Ford Ranger, 1% of the 576 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 63,500 miles.
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.
“My door ajar light and dome light stay on after you get in and out of the passenger side door. From postings, this is a very common Ford problem that they ignore. Driving forward (reverse won't do it) will reset the light most of the time and make them go out. Sometimes you have to pull the fuse. Wd-40 seems to be a short term fix but the real problem is the door switch jams.”
NHTSA complaint #10058596, filed 2004-02, 100,000 miles“1998 Ford Ranger has security issue which allows any individual to unlock the door and no one would even know it until you find your stuff missing. All it takes is a screw drive under the door handle to unlock the door and gain entry. This is common to most all rangers and it is hard to report any loss without proof that there was illegal entry because there is no damage to the door or the door handle. This must not be taken lightly and Ford needs to come up with something to prevent this.”
NHTSA complaint #10406101, filed 2011-06“1998 Ford Ranger has security issue which allows any individual to use a to unlock the door and no one would even know it until you find your stuff missing. All it takes is a screw drive under the door handle to unlock the door and gain entry. This is common to most all rangers and it is hard to report any loss without proof that there was illegal entry because there is no damage to the door or the door handle. This must not be taken lightly and Ford needs to come up with something to prevent this.”
NHTSA complaint #10406099, filed 2011-06“Interior light will stay on even w/all doors closed, door ajar light shows on dash, did hear popping noise from under dash, when lights did go off after 10 minutes of driving, parked vehicle in p-lot at work with light still on, went to check an hour later the light was off, seems to happen randomly.”
NHTSA complaint #753899, filed 2001-10“I had to replace all four door jam switches due to switches getting gummed up and failing. Also latches on the bottom of the rear doors where the switch is mounted had alot of corosion on them.”
NHTSA complaint #10068134, filed 2004-05Latches, locks and linkages: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 0% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% |
| 2004 | 2 | 0% |
| 2003 | 5 | 2% |
| 2002 | 4 | 1% |
| 2001 | 5 | 1% |
| 2000 | 6 | 1% |
| 1999 | 6 | 1% |
| 1998 | 7 | 1% |
| 1997 | 4 | 1% |
| 1996 | 3 | 1% |
| 1995 | 2 | 1% |
| 1994 | 1 | 0% |
| 1993 | 3 | 1% |
| 1992 | 3 | 2% |
| 1991 | 2 | 2% |
| 1990 | 2 | 2% |
| 1989 | 2 | 3% |
| 1988 | 2 | 2% |
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 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