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Research · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD

1998 Ford RangerRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls and 597 owner complaints for the 1998 Ford Ranger. Most complaints involve tires (137) and vehicle speed control (73). The EPA rates it 16–21 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
16–21mpg
EPA · 10 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
11campaigns
Latest May 2009
Owner complaints
597
Top: tires
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

11 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Exterior lightingReported May 11, 2009NHTSA 09E025000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 7, 2009NHTSA 09E012000

Vehicle speed control

Remedy pending

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Vehicle speed controlReported Aug 3, 2007NHTSA 07V336000
See all 11 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 5, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

597 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 1997 – Apr 2021
  1. Tires137
  2. Vehicle speed control73
  3. Power train60
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic51
  5. Engine and engine cooling51
  6. Suspension50
  7. Structure45
  8. Air bags33
  9. Electrical system28

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Ranger model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996430
1997427
1998597
1999785
2000729
2001558
2002389
2003243
2004405
2005289
2006272
2007270
2008326
2009169
2010164
2011235
2019272
2020130
2021119
202238
202319
202497
202545
20260
Crashes reported
67
Fires reported
35
Injuries reported
45
Deaths reported
7
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 5, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Tires

137 reports12 crashes1 fire
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 15, 2008TiresCrash reportedODI 10248882

Vehicle speed control

73 reports8 crashes12 fires
“MY FUSE #27 FOR BACKUP LIGHTS AND THE O/D KEEPS BLOWING OUT AND NOW THE O/D LIGHT FLASHES SOMETIMES I PULLED THE COVER OFF OF THE STEERING COLUMN BUT THE O/D CORD WASN'T PINCHED OR DAMAGED ALSO NO APPEARANCE OF ANY WIRE TOUCHING ANYTHING”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 25, 2018Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 11122301

Power train

60 reports6 crashes2 fires
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 30, 2020Suspension, Power train, Electrical systemODI 11319686
All 1998 Ranger problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 5, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

10 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl · 4.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd · Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 5, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Ranger Pickup 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192421$3,050423
Ranger Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182320$3,200444
Ranger Pickup 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152117$3,800523
Ranger Pickup 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$3,800523
Ranger Pickup 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152117$3,800523
Ranger Pickup 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$3,800523
Ranger Pickup 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152017$3,800523
Ranger Pickup 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141916$4,000555
Ranger Pickup 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141816$4,000555
Ranger Pickup 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141916$4,000555
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 5, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 Ford Ranger as of Nov 5, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 5, 2026Vehicle 3883
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1998 Ranger questions

How many recalls does the 1998 Ford Ranger have?

11 safety recalls as of Nov 5, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1998 Ford Ranger problems?

Owners filed 597 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are tires (137), vehicle speed control (73), power train (60). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1998 Ford Ranger get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Ford Ranger at 16–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (10 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 5, 2026