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Model Year Problem Record

Ford Ranger 1998 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1998 Ford Ranger: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

576Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
5Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
1Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
123Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Tires137 complaints

137 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control73 complaints

73 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 07V336000, 99V062001.

Brakes71 complaints

71 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train64 complaints

64 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 99V204000.

Engine56 complaints

56 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension55 complaints

55 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure45 complaints

45 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting35 complaints

35 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags34 complaints

34 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System31 complaints

31 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System20 complaints

20 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 97V186001.

Steering20 complaints

20 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment7 complaints

7 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 98V021000.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

07V336000Reported August 3, 2007 - 3,600,000 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on August 3, 2007. The campaign covers an estimated 3,600,000 vehicles across all affected models.

97V186001Reported October 28, 1997 - 2,000 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on October 28, 1997. The campaign covers an estimated 2,000 vehicles across all affected models.

98V021000Reported February 2, 1998 - 11,500 vehicles potentially affected

Equipment. Recall covering the equipment system, reported to NHTSA on February 2, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 11,500 vehicles across all affected models.

99V062001Reported March 30, 1999 - 898,739 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on March 30, 1999. The campaign covers an estimated 898,739 vehicles across all affected models.

99V204000Reported July 28, 1999 - 326 vehicles potentially affected

Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on July 28, 1999. The campaign covers an estimated 326 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

PE99045Opened July 6, 1999 - Closed October 29, 1999

STEERING KNUCKLE SEPARATIONS. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

19971
199851
1999109
2000160
200168
200234
200320
200417
20058
20068
200712
20089
20098
20104
201113
20128
201310
20146
201513
20163
20175
20183
20191
20203
20212
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.