68 of the 744 complaints about the 1998 Ford Ranger are about the transmission — 9% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 43,522 miles.
68
Complaints
6
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
POWER TRAIN
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
WHILE IN BED AT 2:00 AM TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10548584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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
NHTSA complaint #10321950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
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. THIS HAPPENED AT THE FIRE STATION WHERE I WORK! THE POLICE DID A REPORT. HE SAW AND REPORTED THE BRAKES WERE BROKE ALTHOUGH HE DIDN'T LOOK VERY CLOSELY. MANY OF MY SUPERIORS AT THE JOB SAW THAT THE BRAKES HAD BROKE AWAY AND WERE NOW DANGLING, USELESS. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED ON THE BILL THE STATE OF THE BRAKES AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. I REQUESTED THE BROKEN PARTS AND THEY ARE NOW IN MY POSSESSION. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY STATED THE OBVIOUS, THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THEY ALSO STATED THEIR WERE NO RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE WHICH WAS NOT TRUE; I KNEW ABOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL AND HAS HAD THE FIRESTONES REPLACED. I GUESS THEY MEANT ON THE BRAKES. I SAID YES, BUT CERTAIN THINGS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN ON A VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ON A VEHICLE ONLY EIGHT YEARS OLD YOU WOULD NOT ACCEPT THAT THE STEERING WHEEL MAY FALL OFF. JUST LIKE YOU WOULD NOT ACCEPT THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY MAY BRAKE AWAY UNDER YOUR FEET. TODAY I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD SAYING THEY COULD NOT HELP ME BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I WONDER IF THERE HAS BEEN OTHER INCIDENTS LIKE MINE AND THEY ARE IN THE FORM OF "SERVICE BULLETINS" SECRET RECALLS THAT KEEP FORD AND OTHER COMPANIES FROM HAVING TO FIX MANY OF THEIR PROBLEMS. *JB THE CONSUNER HAD TO HAVE 2 BAD LUG NUTS REPLACED ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. UPDATED 01/10/07.
NHTSA complaint #10176950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
WHILE DRIVING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE JERKED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT HOME. THEN, TOOK IT TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT REAR DRIVESHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A RECALL WAS NOT ISSUED ON THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10075804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM REAR. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONT AXLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A BROKEN SEAL. ALSO, MACHINE DID NOT CALIBRATE THE FRONT AXLES PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #10073608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
VEHICLE'S DRIVE SHAFT BROKE RESULTING IN LOST OF CONTROL. *MR *SC
NHTSA complaint #10052182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AAMCO DEALER AND UPON INSPECTION OF THE TRANSMISSION FOUND THAT THE CENTER SUPPORT HAD STRIPPED AND THAT THE BROKEN TEETH WERE BEING CIRCULATED THROUGHOUT THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE BROKEN PIECES CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE OTHER GEARS IT WOULD CAUSE THEM TO HANG AND CREATE A PRESSURE LOSS. THE SERVICE REPAIR TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THIS FAILURE WAS MOST LIKELY DUE TO THE PART BEING IMPROPERLY CAST DURING MANUFACTURING. THE FAILURE OF THIS PART AND THE COLLATERAL DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE CIRCULATION OF THE BROKEN TEETH IN THE TRANSMISSION REQUIRED A PARTIAL REBUILD OF THE TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION TYPE: 5R55E PRODUCTION DATE: 02-98.
NHTSA complaint #10029279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE GEAR SHIFT FELL OUT OF THE CASE.
NHTSA complaint #10026810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
ONLY 55,000 MILES OF HIGHWAY USAGE NO HAULING/OFF ROAD AXLE AND BEARINGS MUST BE REPLACED. DT
NHTSA complaint #768878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
PURCHASED TRUCK USED WITH 18,000 MILES. I IMMEDIATELY STARTED FEELING A BUMPING FROM THE DRIVETRAIN UPON ACCELERATION. DEALER REPLACED DRIVESHAFT UNDER WARRANTY. BY THE TIME THE TRUCK REACHED 40,000 MILES I STARTED TO FEEL IT AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT THAT WAY SINCE AND IT NOW HAS 55,000 MILES ON IT. THE DEALERS WILL NOT FIX IT AGAIN AS IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IT IS A COSTLY REPAIR. I HAVE TALKED WITH OTHERS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND CAN NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. MR
NHTSA complaint #768118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER STATES THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS GOING FROM OVERDRIVE TO A HIGHER GEAR AS IF IT DOES NOT KNOW WHAT GEAR IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE IN, ALSO THE REAR AXLE SEAL WAS REPLACED AT 60,000 MILES DUE TO IT LEAKING.
NHTSA complaint #565698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER STATES THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS GOING FROM OVERDRIVE TO A HIGHER GEAR AS IF IT DOES NOT KNOW WHAT GEAR IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE IN, ALSO THE REAR AXLE SEAL WAS REPLACED AT 60,000 MILES DUE TO IT LEAKING.
NHTSA complaint #565698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I WAS DRIVING MY 98 FORD RANGER AT HIWAY SPEED WHEN THE TRANSMISSION CASE AND TRANSFER CASE EXPLODED. IT APPEARED AS THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION HAD LOCKED UP FOR NO REASON AT ALL. WHEN IT LOCKED UP IT SOUNDED JUST LIKE A TIRE HAD BLOWN OUT. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM THAT I WAS OUT OF TIME ON MY WARRANTY BUT, I WASN'T OVER ON THE ALLOWED MILAGE. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE QUITE SURE IF MY TRUCK DIDN'T HAVE OBVIOUS ABUSE THAT FORD WOULD STILL COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY. AFTER THEY DISASSEMBLED MY TRANSMISSION THEY TOLD ME THAT IT LOOKED LIKE I HAD PUT IT IN PARK WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIWAY, WHICH IS TOTALLY RIDICULOUS. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF. FORD DECIDED NOT TO HELP WITH THE REPAIR BILL BECAUSE OF WHAT THE DEALER HAD TOLD THEM. I GUESS THE BOTTOM LINE IS, IF THE TRANSMISSION HAD COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AT THAT SPEED, INSTEAD OF BLOWING APART, THEY COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERAL INJURIES BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A SIX LANE HIWAY. THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT THIS WAS DUE TO SOME KIND OF PART FAILURE. I WAS JUST DRIVING ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN IT WENT.
NHTSA complaint #764000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
ON 2-14-02 ODOMETER READ 54250--------ON 3-15-02 ODOMETER READ 4,862.
NHTSA complaint #762750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, FIRST GEAR IS AT LEAST 30% TO FAST, AND 80% TO FAST ON REVERSE GEAR AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GO BACK.
NHTSA complaint #563924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
PROBLEM 1: TRANSMISSION CLUNKS WHEN STARTING OUT FROM STOP, OR WHEN SLOWING DOWN. WHILE THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT DOES NOT DEVELOP OVERNIGHT,RATHER MANIFESTS ITSELF OVER A PEROID OF TIME, WHEN I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER, THE MILEAGE WAS PAST WARRANTY BUT THE TIME( 3 YEARS ) WAS NOT. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THIS INVOLVED A PART THAT FORD KNOWS TO BE DEFECTIVE IN DESIGN. FORD HAS SINCE REDESIGNED THE PART, BUT WILL NOT REPLACE THE ORIGINAL BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THE POORLY DESIGNED PARTS, KNOWN TO BE PROBLEM PLAGUED, WAS INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, WELL UNDER THE WARRANTY-I.E. 0 MILES, 0 MONTHS.PROBLEM 2&3 INVOLVE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM-LANE CHANGER HAD BAD CONTACTS ( I COULD HEAR NOISE WHEN ENGAGING ) FROM ALMOST DAY ONE, BUT FINALLY FAILED COMPLETLY AFTER WARRANTY. IN ADDITION THE DOOR AJAR INDICATOR HAS COME ON IN WET CONDITIONS SINCE LESS THAN 6 MONTHS OLD. THE DEALER HAS TRIED TO FIX MANY TIMES, OFTEN FAILING TO DUPLICATE, UNTIL I DROVE DIRECTLY TO DEALER WITH DOOR AJAR ON. EVEN THEN THEY HAVE FAILED TO FIX. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO FIX THIS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE OTHER PROBLEMS THEY REFUSE TO CORRECT WITHOUT CHARGE OR COMPROMISE.
NHTSA complaint #758051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, FIRST GEAR IS AT LEAST 30% TO FAST, AND 80% TO FAST ON REVERSE GEAR AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GO BACK.
NHTSA complaint #563924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
REAR AXEL BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #755560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65 TO 70 MPH VEHICLE JUMPED INTO 4-WHEEL DRIVE UNEXPECTEDLY. NO DETERMINATION HAS BEEN MADE AS TO THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #898188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY TRUCK WAS JUST 3 MONTHS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY.I WENT TO START IT TO GO TO WORK AND IT WOULD NOT STAY RUNNING:JUST WOULD NOT.I CALLED GORDIE BOUCHER SERVICE AND GOT AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT.I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT OUT THERE,SO I HAD MY HUSBAND DO THAT AND HIS FATHER FOLLOWED IN HIS VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND SAID HE HAD A HECK OF A TIME.TRUCK KEPT KILLING AND WOULDN'T STAY RUNNING.I TOLD HIM TO GO IN THE MORNING SO AS NOT TO GET CAUGHT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND STALL OUT AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT!BOTTOM LINE:NEEDED MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR:COST:$360.00.I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT REGARDLESS OF BEING ONLY 3 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY.I BELIEVE THIS PART SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 3 YEARS,3 MONTHS AND I WANT TO BE REIMBURSED BY FORD FOR THE $360.00 I HAD TO PAY. I COULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT HAD THAT HAPPENED ON MY GOING TO WORK OR GETTING OFF WORK OR MY HUSBAND ON HIS WAY TO TAKE IT TO BE REPAIRED!
NHTSA complaint #751481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
IN THIS VEHICLE DRIVESHAFT DOES NOT FIT ON THE TRANSMISSION FAR ENOUGH WHICH CAUSES IT TO FIBRATE OUT OF BALANCE AND KNOCKS THE OIL SEAL OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. IS THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD?
NHTSA complaint #751315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION IS BEGINNING TO FAIL ALTHOUGH IT HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #561333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
INTERMITTENTLY TRANSMISSION LOCKS UP WHEN COMING OUT TO A STOP OR FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #890878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION IS EXPERIENCING A CLUNKING NOISE WHENEVER ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS APPLIED FROM A STOP POSITION. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY, AND NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *AK THE DRIVESHAFT HAS BEEN REDESIGNED AND DEALER STATED CONSUMER SHOULD HAVE HIS REPLACED WITH THE NEW DESIGN, RECALL 99V204. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #889390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
COMPLAINTS OF VIBRATIONS IN FRONT END BEGAN 9-98. THIS TRANAMISSION WAS SERVICED AT 16321. COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME VIBRATION CONTINUED AND WAS NEVER ELIMINATED. AT ABOUT 50300 THE VIBRATION BE CAME MORE VIOLENT AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION SEALS TO LEAK. THE THE RESULTS WAS A COMPLETE BREAK DOWN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
NHTSA complaint #743900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANI 3RD/4TH GEARS FAILED. REQUIRED REBUILT (WARRANTY JUST EXPIRED).
NHTSA complaint #743028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
4- WHEEL DRIVE HAS QUIT WORKING, IT HAS ONLY BEEN USED 3-4 TIMES. ALSO HORN HAS FAILED, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #882226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.