1998 Ford Ranger Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 60about this part
- Share
- 10%of 576 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 44,045miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 60 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Ford Ranger, 10% of the 576 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 44,045 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While backing my 98 Ford Ranger 4.0 supercab with tow package (which has the beefier brakes) the aluminum bracket that holds the bar that the brake and clutch hinge on, broke away from the truck. This left me heading in reverse with no brake or clutch. I was in shock, imagine the steering wheel coming off in your hands while driving; that's how I felt. I didn't think to hit the emergency brake, but I was already halfway into the garage and had very little time to react properly before I crashed into the back wall (cinderblock) punching a hole in the wall which killed the engine. …”
NHTSA complaint #10176950, filed 2006-12, 125,628 miles“4wd stopped working some time ago, servo/actuator seemed to be free, recently started making grinding noises in the front right, sounds like hub is somewhere between locked and unlocked. Sort of pops out when coming to a stop HVAC does not work, fan speed only interior courtesy stopped working”
NHTSA complaint #11319686, filed 2020-03, 150,000 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“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“Our 1998 Ford Ranger xlt with the 4.0l v-6 and the 5-speed automatic transmission experienced intermittent problems with shifting. On occasion the vehicle would hesitate when being shifted into park and would on occasion attempt to surge forward when the vehicle was stopped while in drive. The problems recently became worse after only 44k miles and began to impact the driving performance of the vehicle. The shifting of the automatic transmission while in drive would sometimes hesitate and had become unpredictable. …”
NHTSA complaint #10029279, filed 2003-07, 44,045 milesRelated recalls
- 99V204000Jul 28, 1999Vehicle description: electric vehicles. The transaxle may have been manufactured with the park detent spring misaligned. If the spring is misaligned, the park…Covers: Ford Ranger 1998–1999
Related service bulletins
- 10017891Apr 1, 2005Front axle leaks fluid from vent tube - vehicles equipped with 4x4 or awd.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10013414Nov 29, 2004Driveshaft thump clunk on light acceleration from stop or when braking and coming to a stop.
- 10013369Nov 1, 2004General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 33% |
| 2025 | 18 | 40% |
| 2024 | 39 | 41% |
| 2023 | 5 | 28% |
| 2022 | 17 | 45% |
| 2021 | 60 | 50% |
| 2020 | 49 | 38% |
| 2019 | 92 | 34% |
| 2011 | 5 | 2% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 3 | 2% |
| 2008 | 1 | 0% |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 4 | 1% |
| 2005 | 8 | 3% |
| 2004 | 27 | 7% |
| 2003 | 16 | 7% |
| 2002 | 61 | 18% |
| 2001 | 51 | 10% |
| 2000 | 69 | 10% |
| 1999 | 67 | 9% |
| 1998 | 60 | 10% |
| 1997 | 42 | 10% |
| 1996 | 28 | 7% |
| 1995 | 22 | 7% |
| 1994 | 49 | 11% |
| 1993 | 19 | 8% |
| 1992 | 13 | 7% |
| 1991 | 12 | 9% |
| 1990 | 10 | 10% |
| 1989 | 5 | 7% |
| 1988 | 9 | 10% |
| 1987 | 1 | 2% |
| 1986 | 2 | 6% |
| 1985 | 5 | 19% |
| 1983 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1998 Ford Ranger
136 complaintsVehicle speed control
71 complaintsBrakes
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 complaintsFuel system
18 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