Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
61,429 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 lights problems

lights problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1998 Ford Ranger:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1998 Ford Ranger Owner Comments

problem #7

Jun 132001

Ranger

  • 40,000 miles

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

I hit a deer while comming home from work at 45 mph and bent bumper, dented left quarter panel, broke left turn signal lens and cracked plastic grile. Airbags did not apply or engage. I also have taken my truck to the local dealership 4 times to get my door alarm chip replaced @ 50 dollars each time. On last attempt my extended waranty had expired and they refused to honer the problem and promise to replace.even though it was an exsisting problem. This was prior to hitting the deer.

- Florence, OR, USA

problem #6

May 142015

Ranger 4-cyl

  • miles
1998 Ford Ranger. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle steering wheel issues. The consumer stated the steering wheel melted. Also, the head lamp switch and connector was replaced.

- Zavalla, TX, USA

problem #5

Jan 152007

Ranger

  • 50,000 miles
Turn signals failure at times, does not happen all the time.

- Temple City, CA, USA

problem #4

Feb 062012

Ranger 6-cyl

  • 119,000 miles

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

Upon activating turn signal on a dark morning, the headlights completely failed. Activating the dim/bright lever provided intermittent activation. Upon release of the dim/bright function the headlights would not remain on in either dim or bright mode. Other users of vehicle report complete headlight failure. They too have been able to restore headlight function intermittently after several frantic seconds operating the light switch or the dimming lever while traveling in the dark.

- Edgewood, WA, USA

problem #3

Apr 012006

Ranger

  • 160,000 miles
98' Ford Ranger: Has a cracked frame on the rear right side. Truck makes loud noises when driving and I am afraid it may become worse over time or completely break down in unsafe speeds. I can not sell it, as I was trying to use the money for a new vehicle due to a new baby in our family. No one will buy such a defective vehicle. Also seat belts will not stay latched? also the inside dome light melts right through the covering, where temperatures make the plastic cover bubble and melt.

- Northglenn, CO, USA

problem #2

Nov 062008

Ranger

  • 40,000 miles
The plastic headlight lens are severely cloudy, a lot worse as time time goes on....years ago, when I bought the truck they were clear, now they are very - very opac, cloudy, so bad that you can't even see the headlight bulb ! there are many vehicles that have the same problem! so many, in fact that the part store aftermarket industries have come out with a restoration kit. I am sure that the cloudy, opac lens do severely lessen the amount of light emitted through the lens. My opinion on this is that the type of plastic selected by Ford seemed fine back in 1998 but over a period of years the plastic deteriorates. My recommendations is to have the manufactures replace them. By, I did buy the kit from a parts store and it is called headlight restorer / defogger kit. Myheadlight.com. My brother and I hand buffed his 2001 Jeep headlights and it took us almost 2 hours ! it did help the amount of lighting! P.S. sorry, haven't got spell-check....

- Haughton, LA, USA

problem #1

Apr 142004

(reported on)

Ranger

  • 21,000 miles
Consumer complained about a turn signal problem. Consumer was driving and noticed a puff of smoke, and a crackling sound behind the dashboard. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, and dealer determined that multi-function module had an electrical short.

- Novato, CA, USA

Not what you are looking for?