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1.6

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
108,880 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Ford Ranger body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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1998 Ford Ranger Owner Comments

problem #9

Oct 102014

Ranger 6-cyl

  • 120,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving down the street when the frame broke, behind the cab where the back bed begins on the driver side. Excessive rot all over frame.

- West Warren, MA, USA

problem #8

Oct 242014

Ranger

  • 163,121 miles
My Ford Ranger frame is almost completely rotted away in the back and the rest of the frame is in good condition. The rear shackles and shackle brackets are completely rusted away. The spare tire has even fallen off from rust. Also the gas tank straps are about to fall off from were they are attached to the frame. This should not be happening to a truck that is not that old. I have read things about other peoples frames that are rusted away.

- Newton, NJ, USA

problem #7

Sep 052014

Ranger

  • 145,000 miles
I took my truck to have a power steering issue examined. The mechanic determined that the passenger side frame of the truck was severely rusted. I examined the frame and noticed that there were sizable holes in the frame of the truck. The entire body of the truck is in solid condition, however the frame issue is a major safety concern and hazard.

- Warren, OH, USA

problem #6

Aug 262014

Ranger

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 1998 Ford Ranger frame is completely rusted out. The gas tank is ready to fall off. The shock fell off. The strap for the spare tire is rusted off how could this happen?

- Chicora, PA, USA

problem #5

Oct 062013

Ranger 6-cyl

  • 126,000 miles
Rear section of frame at rear bumper mount and spare tire holder is completely rusted to the point of holes all the way thru. Have read a lot of others having the same problem. Truck is in very nice shape other than this. Have own many many Ford trucks over the years. All different years from 1968-2008. Ford should make this right for its customers.

- Westfield , VT, USA

problem #4

Jun 012013

Ranger 4-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
The frame on the passenger side from about the middle of the door to the front suspension mount is almost completely gone from rust. I showed it to the Ford dealership and they advised me not to drive as it is extremely unsafe but they either could or would not do anything about it. The coil spring pocket is cracked and the spring is about to pop out. I cannot afford a new vehicle at this time. The frame is broken and cracked in several areas due to stress from flexing because of the rust. I attempted to get a local fabrication shop weld it but they will not touch it. I can take photographs if need be. Ford Motor Company told me they have had numerous complaints about this same problem but not enough to issue a recall. I am afraid to drive this vehicle but have no choice. I have already replaced rear spring mounts and shackles because of rust but I cannot replace the frame and no one will touch it.

- Battle Creek, MI, USA

problem #3

Feb 152013

Ranger

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Truck in over all great shape however the frame is beat I know Ford says salt but looking at the rest of truck one can see it was taken very good care of. Like Toyota, with them being responsible for the issues of their frames I can't believe that Ford is above the right thing to do... in closing please let me know, if any responsibility for this is Ford. Thank you in advance for your time in this matter, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Amherst , NH, USA

problem #2

Jan 052013

Ranger 6-cyl

  • 131,800 miles
The frame has rusted through in spots all the way down the frame. It looks close to breaking in half in some spots. A 1998 vehicle should not have this much rust no matter where it came from. After researching this vehicle, it appears this is a common problem and I believe Ford should be held responsible for this.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #1

Mar 012012

Ranger

  • 54,000 miles
The frame is having serious and dangerous heavy rust and rot compromising the structural integrity of the truck. In fact a shock mount just broke while driving and the resulting loud bang caused me great stress while driving. After pulling over and looking I could see the shock mount had rotted so bad as to break off the axle house.am also concerned about the structures holding the spare tire, gas tank and entire support system.

- Midland Pk, NJ, USA

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