1998 Ford Ranger Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 60 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 1998 Ford Ranger, 10% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 44,045 miles.
- 60power train complaints
- 44,045median miles at failure
- 6mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 41%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 5 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 60 complaints, 6 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 2 an injury.
Ford Ranger power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Ranger | 2 | 29% | — |
| 2025 Ranger | 16 | 37% | — |
| 2024 Ranger | 37 | 40% | 3,600 |
| 2023 Ranger | 5 | 28% | 5,500 |
| 2022 Ranger | 17 | 46% | 41,000 |
| 2021 Ranger | 60 | 51% | 77,500 |
| 2020 Ranger | 49 | 38% | 80,000 |
| 2019 Ranger | 92 | 34% | 50,000 |
| 2011 Ranger | 5 | 2% | 30,000 |
| 2010 Ranger | 1 | 1% | 1,600 |
| 2009 Ranger | 3 | 2% | 25,000 |
| 2008 Ranger | 1 | 0% | 45,300 |
| 2007 Ranger | 2 | 1% | 30,900 |
| 2006 Ranger | 4 | 1% | 8,650 |
| 2005 Ranger | 8 | 3% | 62,170 |
| 2004 Ranger | 27 | 7% | 32,000 |
| 2003 Ranger | 16 | 7% | 24,500 |
| 2002 Ranger | 61 | 18% | 51,500 |
| 2001 Ranger | 51 | 10% | 53,000 |
| 2000 Ranger | 69 | 10% | 85,500 |
| 1999 Ranger | 67 | 9% | 59,102 |
| 1998 Ranger | 60 | 10% | 44,045 |
| 1997 Ranger | 42 | 10% | 84,990 |
| 1996 Ranger | 28 | 7% | 50,579 |
| 1995 Ranger | 22 | 7% | 181,313 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: Vehicle description: electric vehicles. The transaxle may have been manufactured with the park detent spring misaligned. If the spring is misaligned, the park mechanism may not engage when the shift lever is placed in the park position.
Risk: If the park mechanism does not engage and the vehicle operator has not applied the parking brake, the vehicle could roll free as if in neutral.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the transaxle and any with misaligned park detent springs will be replaced.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
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
While in bed at 2:00 am truck caught fire. *tr
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…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 1998 Ford Rangers have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 60 owner complaints about power train for the 1998 Ford Ranger (10% of the 576 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Ford Ranger power train?
Yes: 1 safety recall list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 44,045 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
Other 1998 Ford Ranger problems
See all 1998 Ford Ranger problems or power train problems across all Ranger years.