Ford Ranger Complaints (1998)

582 consumer complaints on file.

#10406099June 13, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
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. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10402650May 25, 2011
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
FRAME ON MY 1998 FORD RANGER RUSTED INTO AT THE REAR SPRING SHACKLES, AND BUMPER. I HAVE NEVER HAD A TRUCK TO DO THIS. THE STEEL CROSSMEMBER THAT RUNS BEHIND THE CAB OVER THE GAS TANK FROM SIDE TO SIDE IS ALSO COMPLETELY GONE FROM RUSTING AWAY. THEY MUST HAVE RECEIVED A BAD BATCH OF STEEL WHEN MAKING THIS YEAR. THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER IS ALSO RUSTED AWAY, PLACED THE SPARE TIRE IN THE BED SO THAT IT WOULD NOT FALL OFF WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I SUSPECT THAT THIS WAS VERY COMMON FOR THIS YEAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10401387May 18, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
REAR BRAKES LOCKUP EVERY TIME IT RAINS. THIS CAUSES SLIDING ON WET PAVEMENTS. AS OF NOW I HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10398242April 29, 2011
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
1998 FORD RANGER WITH FRAME RUST. REAR SHACKLES HAVE RUSTED AND FALLEN OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10395094April 6, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TRUCK WAS PARKED AT THE VETERINARIAN AND I HAD GONE INSIDE WITH MY TWO DOGS. AFTER ABOUT 15 OR 20 MINUTES SOMEONE OUTSIDE WAS BLOWING THERE CAR HORN. THE RECEPTIONIST LOOKED OUT AND THEN TOLD ME MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. I RAN OUTSIDE AND SMOKE AND FLAMES WERE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WE USED FIRE EXTINGUISHERS BUT THAT DID VERY LITTLE. THE FIRE TRUCK GOT THERE AND GOT THE FIRE PUT OUT. THEY CUT THE HOOD OPEN TO MAKE SURE THE FIRE WAS OUT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10383860February 20, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SEAT BELTS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
98' FORD RANGER: HAS A CRACKED FRAME ON THE REAR RIGHT SIDE. TRUCK MAKES LOUD NOISES WHEN DRIVING AND I AM AFRAID IT MAY BECOME WORSE OVER TIME OR COMPLETELY BREAK DOWN IN UNSAFE SPEEDS. I CAN NOT SELL IT, AS I WAS TRYING TO USE THE MONEY FOR A NEW VEHICLE DUE TO A NEW BABY IN OUR FAMILY. NO ONE WILL BUY SUCH A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. ALSO SEAT BELTS WILL NOT STAY LATCHED? ALSO THE INSIDE DOME LIGHT MELTS RIGHT THROUGH THE COVERING, WHERE TEMPERATURES MAKE THE PLASTIC COVER BUBBLE AND MELT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380366January 29, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, WHEELS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DISPITE PROPER MAINTENCE, I OBSERVED BODY RUST AND DECAY ON THE UNDERSIDE OF MY TRUCK FRAME. ALSO THE BRAKE LINES HAVE BEEN REPLACED DUE TO CORRUSION AND RUST INTO THE FRAME. SPARE TIRE BRACKETS HAVE RUSTED INTO AND THE TIRE FELL OFF. ALSO EVAP CANASTER BRACKET RUSTED INTO AND THE EVAP CANASTER FELL OFF.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10341968July 8, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I STARTED THE TRUCK, ALL GAUGES READ OK, BACKED IT OUT ONTO THE ROAD AND PROCEEDED T DRIVE TO MY DESTINATION. I SHIFTED INTO 3RD AND IT FELT SLUGGISH, (LIKE BRAKE DRAG) I LOOKED DOWN AT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FOR INFORMATION, AND FOUND NO RESPONSE FROM THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE. I PROCEEDED TO PUSH IN THE CLUTCH AND SHUT OFF THE MOTOR, BUT BY THE TIME I PUSHED IN THE CLUTCH THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND WOULDN'T PROCEED TO RUN. I CHECKED THE OIL DIP STICK TO FIND THE OIL LEVEL IS ACCEPTABLE, BUT THE MOTOR REFUSES TO TURN OVER. PROBLEM STILL OCCURS TO THIS DAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10321950March 22, 2010
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
1998 FORD RANGER, DRIVE SHAFT BROKE ON VEHICLE. *BF 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 *BF UPDATED 05/24/10 *BF THE REAR AXLE PINION FROZE, THE DRIVE SHAFT TWISTED AND BROKE IN TWO. UPDATED 05/28/10
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10320329March 16, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY 1998 FORD RANGER XLT SO FAR HAD 2 COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURES DUE TO CORRODED BRAKE LINES. THIS IS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM CAUSED BY THE SPIRAL PROTECTION OF THE BRAKE LINES WHICH KEEPS THE HUMIDITY TRAPPED AND THUS CORRODES THE LINES. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, BRAKE FLUID IS LEAKING OUT WHEN THE PEDAL IS PUSHED DOWN YET NO BRAKE FUNCTION IS EXPERIENCED. AS THIS PROBLEM HAS A CLEAR TECHNICAL REASON IN THE FORM OF THE BRAKE LINES, IT IS SYSTEMIC IN ALL SUCH VEHICLES. THIS HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY MY CAR MECHANIC SHOP WHICH IS FREQUENTLY REPAIRING FORD VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NO EARLY WARNING INDICATION AND IS NOT DETECTED BY THE YEARLY INSPECTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10314128February 25, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ENGINE SURGES WHEN FOOT IS OFF ACCELERATOR. ENGINE GOES TO HIGH RPM AND MUST BE TURNED OFF WITH IGNITION KEY TO KEEP IT FROM EXCEEDING RPM LIMITS. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH NO FIRM PARAMETERS FOR OCCURRENCE. THIS HAS HAPPENED EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE NO MATS IN THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE TRUCK AND DRIVERS FEET ARE FLAT ON THE FLOOR NOT IN CONTACT WITH THE ACCELERATOR, BRAKE, OR CLUTCH. DEALER HAS REPLACED THROTTLE BODY TWICE BUT THAT DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER HAS NO IDEA WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR AT LEAST 18 MONTHS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10292259November 16, 2009
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, SUSPENSION:REAR
THE REAR BUMPER IN MY 1998 FORD RANGER (80K MILES) IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF, AS THE REAR OF THE FRAME IS RUSTED & BROKEN. I HAVE CABLES HOLDING IT ON NOW. I FOUND THIS OUT AFTER THE REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKLE & BRACKET RUSTED OFF THE FRAME AND BROKE IN TWO. THE SPARE TIRE ALSO LOOKS LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF FROM RUSTED BRACKETS. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE PROBABLY THOUSANDS OF FORD RANGERS IN WHICH THE REAR BUMPER ACTUALLY DID FALL OFF, OR THE SPARE FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE MUCH WORSE THAT THE TOYOTA TRUCKS. IN FACT SOMEONE SAID THAT THE FORD FRAMES WERE BOUGHT AT THE SAME FACTORY AS THE TOYOTA'S, BUT I DO NOT KNOW FORE SURE. EVERYTHING ELSE ON MY TRUCK IS IN BEAUTIFUL CONDITION, NOT A SPECK OF RUST ON THE BODY, AND IT RUNS GREAT. I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10286715October 7, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
THIS IS A 98 FORD RANGER XLT WITH 73,000 MILES, MY PROBLEM IS THE TURNING SIGNALS FROM MY 98 FORD RANGER, EVERYTIME THAT I TURNED MY TRUCK ON IT MAKES A SQUEAKING SOUND AROUND MY STEERING WHEEL, THEN RIGHT AWAY MY LEFT TURNING SIGNAL LIGHT TURNS ON BY ITSELF, RIGHT AWAY WHEN THE LEFT TURNING SIGNAL LIGHT TURNS ON BY ITSELF THE SQUEAKING SOUND GOES AWAY, SO NOW TO QUIT MY LEFT TURNING SIGNAL LIGHT FROM KEEPING LIGHTING ON BY ITSELF I HAVE TO PUSH DOWN THE EMERGENCY BUTTON ON TOP OF MY STEERING WHEEL WHICH TURN BOTH TURNING SIGNAL LIGHTS ON, THEN RIGHT AWAY I HAVE TO PUSH IT DOWN AGAIN TO TURN THEM OFF, AT THAT TIME THERE IS NO SQUEAKING SOUND, BUT AFTER 5 OR 10 MORE MINUTES THE ANNOYING SOUND COMES BACK ON AND I HAVE TO DO THE WHOLE PROCESS AGAIN TO TURN OFF THE SQUEAKING SOUND, IT JUST STARTED TO HAPPENED 3 MONTHS AGO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272538June 1, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD RANGER. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 13 HOURS, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT FILED A REPORT WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) WAS RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON OCTOBER 10, 2008 FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THAT TIME; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT DOES NOT UNDERSTAND HOW HIS VEHICLE STILL CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK WITHIN 14 BUSINESS DAYS BY THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263794March 31, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAD DRIVEN MY 98 FORD RANGER FOR A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 10 MILES PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. 2 HOURS AFTER I GOT HOME MY TRUCK BURST INTO FLAMES. THE TRUCK IS TOTALED NOW. I DID NOTHING TO REMEDY THE SITUATION BECAUSE I WAS UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263001March 25, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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. TEN (10) MONTHS LATER, I'M DRIVING ON A FREEWAY AT 60 M.P.H. AND MY EXIT IS APPROACHING. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP, I WAS AGAIN LEFT WITH NO BRAKES. I NARROWLY AVOIDED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THANKFULLY I HAD THE SENSE OF MIND TO PUSH MY EMERGENCY BRAKE (WHICH IS AWKWARDLY LOCATED ON A PICK-UP TRUCK) AND AVOID A NUMEROUS CAR PILE-UP ON A BUSY LOS ANGELES FREEWAY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A NEW MECHANIC AS WELL AS A PEP BOYS AUTO CENTER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER'S SEALS WERE AGAIN CRACKED, AND CHARGED OVER $400 FOR THE SAME REPAIRS AS BEFORE. I'VE SEARCHED NUMEROUS ONLINE FORUMS, AND SPOKEN TO NUMEROUS MECHANICS AND FORD RANGER OWNERS AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM IS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM AND HAS FACED NEAR-DEATH SITUATIONS DUE TO THIS MANUFACTURING ERROR. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE A RECALL AS IT'S THE ONLY ONE TO ASSURE THE PROBLEM IS FIXED AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS ON THE ROAD (AS THE BRAKES WILL NO LONGER WORK WITHOUT ANY WARNING). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10260173February 27, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
AT 40,000 MILES AND NOW AT 81000 MILES I NEED THE BALL JOINTS REPLACED, I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE BALL JOINTS ON ANY CAR UNDER 150,000 MILES MY ENTIRE LIFE, THERE IS A PROBLEM HERE, THIS IS A '98 FORD RANGER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256868January 29, 2009
SEAT BELTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO TWO OTHER VEHICLES. THE DRIVER WAS EJECTED OUT OF THE REAR WINDOW AND WAS FATALLY INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A POLICE OFFICER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE SAFETY BELT BEING SEPARATED. THE CAUSE OF THE SEPARATION WAS CAUSED BY THE SEAT HINGE FAILING, WHICH CUT THE SAFETY BELT. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 197,500. UPDATED 02/24/09. *LJ UPDATED 02/25/09. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
1
#10254105January 7, 2009
VISIBILITY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NO FAILURES. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248882November 15, 2008
TIRES, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE ON FREEWAY LEFT REAR TIRE FAILED. LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE CRASHED INTO CENTER DIVIDER. VEHICLE TOTAL LOSS. THE TIRE FAILURE APPEARS AS TREAD SEPARATION. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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