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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
24,000 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 engine problems

engine problem

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1998 Ford Ranger Owner Comments

problem #12

Sep 222007

Ranger 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 1998 Ford Ranger. While driving 5 mph, the contact heard a snapping sound coming from the engine and then the vehicle shut off without warning. As of September 24, 2007, the dealer had not inspected the vehicle. She stated that the crankshaft pulley snapped, which she believed was the cause of failure. The current and failure mileages were 64,000.

- North Mankato, MN, USA

problem #11

Sep 282005

Ranger 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 143,000 miles
The consumer stated that the 1998 Ford Ranger engine was making noise and the spark plug had blew out of the cylinder. This happened while driving 20 mph. The vehicle had considerably less power after the loss of the spark plug. The consumer replaced the spark plug earlier today. When the consumer found that the spark plug failed it was hanging by its wires. The consumer had not contacted Ford at this time. The dealer had not been contacted at this point. (11/15/05)

- Sullivan, OH, USA

problem #10

Dec 212002

Ranger

  • miles
The engine failed.

- Moreno Valley, CA, USA

problem #9

Nov 272002

Ranger 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 81,000 miles

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

The harmonic balancer separated, which made contact with the transmission and front U-joint. The rear end of vehicle tore apart when the front portion of the drive shaft made contact with the road. Dealer was contacted and stated that there was no recalls so there was nothing they could do about it.

- Athens, OH, USA

problem #8

Jun 032002

(reported on)

Ranger

  • miles
The oil was leaking due to a cracked oil pan.

- Rustburg, VA, USA

problem #7

Mar 282002

Ranger

  • miles
Had oil changed at clean lube-no oil leakage before visit with them-they told me my oil pan was cracked and when I left it was pouring out oil. They kept my oil pan and said they had to send it to a lab to see if they cracked it....I have not heard from them since. The cost of the new oil pan was $404 and they said it was a stress crack and it should hace been a recall. They see this in these little trucks.....please help me......they need to pay for my oil pan per mechanic.thank you trish hull.

- Rustburg, VA, USA

problem #6

Jul 122000

Ranger

  • miles

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

While traveling about 35-40mphand /after crossing a bridge front body mounts broke off. Driver had to jump from vehicle to avoid injury. Vehicle has not been repaired, and has been in storage for six months.

- Aurora, MO, USA

problem #5

Oct 151998

Ranger

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Due to design flaw, oil filter is located under manifold. While removing oil filter, the owner had his hand burnt by hot manifold.

- Summerfield, FL, USA

problem #4

Oct 151998

Ranger

  • miles
While changing oil filter, exhaust pipe burned consumer's hand. This caused the oil filter too touch the bar wire of the starter, causing a spark to ignite the oil, resulting in a fire. Consumer was able to put out the fire. Dealer notified the manufacturer.

- Summerfield, FL, USA

problem #3

Feb 011999

(reported on)

Ranger

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Time belt failed.

- Escondido, CA, USA

problem #2

Oct 151998

Ranger

  • miles
The design of the filter is located under the hot manifold and below that filter is the hot solenoid and starter wires, consumer was injured/burned when changing filter, filter caught on fire when consumer dropped filter from being burned. Mjs

- Dunnellon, FL, USA

problem #1

Aug 151998

Ranger

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Design of the oil filter location causes electrical sparks whenever the filter comes into contact with starter hot terminal. A protected cover should be designed so this condition would not occur. Dealer notified.

- Tuscola, TX, USA

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