75 of the 744 complaints about the 1998 Ford Ranger are about the throttle and cruise control — 10% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 78,650 miles.
75
Complaints
8
Crashes
10
Fires
4
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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
NHTSA complaint #11122301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
PULLED INTO A SLOPING DOWN PARKING SPOT. STOPPED, FOOT ON THE BRAKE. BEFORE I COULD SHIFT OUT OF DRIVE, THE ENGINE ABRUPTLY REVVED UP TO MAX RPM. I HAD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES, THE BACK WHEELS STARTED SPINNING CREATING A CLOUD OF BLUE SMOKE. I JAMMED THE GEARS INTO PARK AND THEY ENGINE ONLY QUIT AFTER I TURNED OFF THE KEY. I HAVE SEVERAL WITNESSES TO THE EVENT. MY REGULAR MECHANIC DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE AND IT HASN'T HAPPENED AGAIN. FORD CONTACTED BUT REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10679862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE RIVETS ATTACHED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND BRACKETS WERE CORRODED. AS A RESULT, THE MECHANIC HAD TO REATTACH THE PEDAL WITH NEW BOLTS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #10478096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
PARKED OUT ON THE STREET IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE, CAUGHT ON FIRE AROUND 9 PM. FIRE TRUCKS CAME AND PUT IT OUT AND KNOCKED ON THE DOOR AROUND 9:25 PM.
NHTSA complaint #10442704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10314128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10272538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10263794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
RECALL # 05S28 - FORD HAS NOT MADE AVAILABLE TO THE DEALER THE NECESSARY PART (WIRING WITH A FUSE) TO REPAIR A DEFECT (SPEED CONTROL SWITCH)THAT I WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT IN A LETTER DATED AUGUST OF 2007. NOW FORD TELLS ME THAT THE NECESSARY PART WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE BEFORE JUNE OF 2008!
NHTSA complaint #10223705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
RECALL 05S28 CRUISE CONTROL FORD RANGER 1998 RECEIVED A NOTICE AUG 2007. HAVE TRIED TO HAVE WORK PERFORMED THREE TIMES. THEY TELL ME THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE,MAYBE LATE APRIL. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE UP A SIMPLE LINE WITH A FUSE OR EVEN INSTALL A FUSE IN AN EXISTING LINE. SEEMS AN INORDINATE TIME LAG TO GET A REPAIR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, BOB BUCCI
NHTSA complaint #10221468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SITTING IN FRIENDS DRIVEWAY, NOT RUNNING, NO KEYS. HAD BEEN THERE FOR 2 HOURS. NEIGHBOR WAS THE ONE WHO NOTICED THE FIRE AND NOTIFIED US. WE COULD HAVE LOST THE TRUCK SITTING NEXT TO IT ALONG WITH THE HOUSE. MY HUSBAND PUT OUT THE FIRE BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. THE FIREFIGHTERS TOLD US THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE AND THAT IT WAS DEFINITELY CAUSE BY THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS WHICH PUTS US WITHOUT A VEHICLE WHICH I HAD JUST PURCHASED FOUR MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND STILL HAVE HEARD NOTHING BACK FROM THEM. THEY SAID IT WOULD BE 7-10 DAYS BEFORE I HEAR FROM THEM. IN THE MEAN TIME I AM STRANDED AND NO WAY TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK OR SCHOOL. THIS HAS DEFINITELY PUT MAJOR STRESS ON MY WHOLE FAMILY.
NHTSA complaint #10219681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO RETURN IN DECEMBER OF 2007. WHEN THE CONTACT RETURNED IN DECEMBER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2008. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,950. UPDATED 04/03/08.
NHTSA complaint #10219282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
FORD SENT ME LETTER LAST FALL STATING MY FORD RANGER WAS SUBJECT TO A SAFETY RECALL. I STOPPED BY MY DEALER EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS FOR MONTHS AND THEY SAID NOBODY HAS PARTS, BECAUSE THE SUPPLIER WON'T MAKE THESE PARTS 'TIL EVERYTHING IS READY. I'M TIRED OF WAITING... I WANT THE GOV'T TO PRESSURE FORD TO ACT. THE RECALL I LEARNED IS FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL WIRING THAT CAUSES FIRES... EVEN WHEN NOT USING CRUISE CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #10219308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1998 FORD RANGER SPEED CONTROL RECALL. CONSUMER STATED THAT HE CALLED THE DEALER WHEN THE RECALL WAS RECEIVED AND WAS TOLD THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL THE NEW YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10210592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I OWN A 1998 FORD RANGER. TO BEGIN THE CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING. THEN I NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AREA. THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH ON THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER CAUGHT FIRE. MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO DISCONNECT IT AND EXTINGUISH THE FIRE PRIOR TO ANY SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE OCCURRING. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST OF VEHICLES FOR THIS PROBLEM. I SPOKE TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THE TRUCK HAD A SIMILAR OR THE SAME SWITCH AS THOSE ON THE RECALLED VEHICLES THAT HAVE CAUSED FIRES IN THE PAST.
NHTSA complaint #10197499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
PULLED MY 1998 FORD RANGER INTO A STORE PARKING LOT. I WAS GETTING READY TO PARK WHEN I COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. STOPPED THE TRUCK. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I POPPED THE HOOD AND SAW AN ELECTRICAL PLUG BURNING WITH FLAMES. I WAS ABLE TO BLOW THE FLAMES OUT BEFORE MUCH ELSE WAS DAMAGED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL PLUG IS WHAT CAUGHT FIRE. IT ALSO DAMAGED MY RESERVOIR FOR THE BRAKE FLUID. THEY ARE REPLACING THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE CRUISE CONTROL PLUG. OF COURSE, THIS IS AT MY OWN EXPENSE, NOT FORDS.
NHTSA complaint #10195976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
MY 1998 FORD RANGER CAUGHT FIRE ON JULY 31, 2006. THE TRUCK HAD BEEN PARKED IN FRONT OF OUR HOUSE AND THE ENGINE HAD BEEN TURNED OFF. MINUTES LATER, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AND A WATCHFUL NEIGHBOR CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. NOW, THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE IS COMPLETELY CHARRED, PROPERTY ON THE HOUSE IS DAMAGED, AND THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. I HAVE CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND I WILL HAVE A FIRE INSPECTOR DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. FURTHER INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET HAS LED ME TO BELIEVE THE FIRE MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A FAULTY SPEED CONTROL SWITCH PRESENT ON MANY FORD VEHICLES. THE NHTSA IS CURRENTLY CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION ON THIS MATTER, AS IT HAS ALREADY RECEIVED OVER 550 COMPLAINTS FROM SIMILAR INCIDENTS. PLEASE MAKE A REPORT OF THIS COMPLAINT AND CONTACT ME FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10164062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
REPLACED FUSE THAT HAD BLOWN ON CRUISE CONTROL ON 1998 FORD RANGER. STEPPED ON BRAKE TO PUT IN GEAR AND NOTICED EXCESSIVE SMOKE FROM UNDER HOOD. OPENED HOOD AND FOUND MECHANISM IN FRONT OF MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR ON FIRE. SMALL FIRE TORCHED FRONT OF RESERVOIR I PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH A TOWEL BREAKING THE MECHANISM, CRUISE CONTROL BRAKE DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #10135466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED ON JULY 10, 2003 THERE WAS A FATAL ROLL OVER. THE TIRES SEPARATED AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AND BLEW OUT. ACCORDING TO CONSUMER'S INVESTIGATION THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL ON THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. THIS VEHICLE WAS A 1998, FORD, RANGER. THE HIGHWAY PATROL CAME TO THE SCENE AND ISSUED A REPORT. IT WAS CONSUMER'S COUSIN VEHICLE. THE TREAD CAME OFF FROM REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. CONSUMER THOUGHT THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES. THERE WAS TWO OCCUPANTS, AND BOTH WERE KILLED IN THE ACCIDENT. THE EXACT MILEAGE WAS NOT KNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10130131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
WHILE PARKED THE CONSUMER'S 1998 FORD RANGER CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS USED FOR 4 1/2 HOUR THE DAY BEFORE THE FIRE ERUPTED. *NM THE CONSUMER'S HOME SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE SMOKE AND FIRE DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10113773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
I HAVE A STANDARD 1998 FORD RANGER XLT AND AM WONDERING IF THE RECALL FOR THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE PERTAINS TO IT? THE THROTTLE REVS UP TO ABOUT 2200 RPM WHEN I AM COMING TO A STOP.
NHTSA complaint #10096249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A STOP VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, TURNED IT AROUND, AND WENT BACK HOME. AT HOME CONSUMER RAISED THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE SEPARATED. CONSUMER WAS SCARED BECAUSE HE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45-50 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #10055700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE PULLING INTO THE GARAGE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED THROUGH THE BACK OF THE GARAGE AND RESULTED IN OVER $12,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10019914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL. DUE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL'S POSITION AND PROXIMITY TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ALSO, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS BRAKE, THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND THERE IS FOOT CONTACT WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME.
NHTSA complaint #8019445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH THROTTLE STICKS OPEN AND VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND TOOK OFF. DRIVER FIRMLY HELD BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND SHIFT VEHICLE INTO NETURAL TO GAIN CONTROL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFROMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8015334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND WITH NO WARNING ENGINE SURGES, AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN.DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #8013867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10 -15 MINUTES AFTER A COLD START AND RUNNING IN CITY TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE SPEED INCREASES TO 2500 - 3000 RPM WITH THE CLUTCH DEPRESSED. THIS OCCURS WHEN I AM SLOWING TO STOP AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE RPM REMAINS CLOSE TO 1000 - 1200 RPM, ABOUT WHAT YOUR WOULD EXPECT. AS SOON AS I DEPRESS THE CLUTCH, THE ENGINE RPM RAPIDLY INCREASES TO NEARLY 3000. WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS, THE ENGINE RPM WILL REMAIN HIGH FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS OR UNTIL I RELEASE THE CLUTCH OR TURN OFF THE ENGINE. AS SOON AS THE ENGINE HAS STOPPED, I RESTART THE ENGINE THE ENGINE. IT STARTS NORMALLY WITHOUT INCIDENT AND CONTINUES USUALLY WITHOUT INCIDENT ALTHOUGH IF THE TRAFFIC IS EXCEPTIONALLY HEAVY, THE PROBLEM MAY REOCCUR IN APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES. THIS IS SORT OF LIKE REBOOTING A COMPUTER. BOTH TEAM FORD AND THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TELL ME THAT THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE AND NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT. I CONSIDER IT TO BE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE I MUST STOP AND RESTART THE ENGINE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. ACCORDING TO THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY, ALL FORD RANGERS (1998 - 2000) WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND 3.0LITER ENGINE EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM NEVER OCCURRED UNTIL I HAD DRIVEN THE TRUCK FOR OVER 45K MILES.
NHTSA complaint #752209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THIS VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL. THE PROBLEM IS THE THROTTLE STICKS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO RACE AND MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO STOP THE TRUCK. I HAVE NEARLY REAR ENDED TWO VEHICLES DUE TO THIS DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #751622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, I ATTEMPTED TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE ENGAGED IN AN UNCONTROLLED ACCELLERATION. DEPRESSING THE BRAKE OR ACCELLERATOR DID NOT DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. USING THE "OFF" BUTTON ON THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE IT. ONLY SHIFTING INTO NUETRAL AT A SPEED OF APPROX 70 MILES PER HOUR DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL. THIS HAPPEND AT LEAST THREE TIMES IN A 200MILE ROUND TRIP. THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN MODIFIED BY THE DEALER BASED ON A RECALL NOTICE WHICH I RECEIVED ABOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #748198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
VEHICLE IDLES VERY ROUGHLY. THEN IDLE WILL GO AWAY FOR AWHILE. VEHICLE TURNED OFF WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER ROUGH IDLE GOES AWAY, VEHICLE WILL HESITATE OR STALL, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER PROBLEMS STILL EXISTS. GAS PEDAL GETS STUCK. PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM WAS LOOSE. PWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED DUE TO WHEN TURNING WHEEL IT WOULD MAKE ANOISE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #880587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2 WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH JUMPED INTO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE OUT OF CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #879183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.