1998 Ford Ranger power train problems
60 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 1998 Ford Ranger — 10% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“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”
filed Mar 30, 2020
“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…”
filed Mar 22, 2010
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Front axle leaks fluid from vent tube - vehicles equipped with 4x4 or awd. *tt
030508 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2005General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures. *tt
042107 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 13, 2004Driveshaft thump clunk on light acceleration from stop or when braking and coming to a stop. *eh
04237 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 29, 2004General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures. *tt
04217 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 1, 2004Low line pressure reading at wide open throttle (wot), slipping shifts and / or delayed engagements with possible diagnostic trouble codes p0732, p0733, p1762 set on vehicles built before 12/1/2001. *tt
02138 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 10, 2003
Power Train problems in other Ranger years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Ranger | 10 | 31% |
| 2024 Ranger | 23 | 35% |
| 2022 Ranger | 17 | 46% |
| 2021 Ranger | 54 | 49% |
| 2020 Ranger | 45 | 37% |
| 2019 Ranger | 90 | 34% |
| 2011 Ranger | 5 | 2% |
| 2010 Ranger | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 Ranger | 3 | 2% |
| 2008 Ranger | 1 | 0% |
| 2007 Ranger | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 Ranger | 4 | 1% |
Other reported problem areas on the 1998 Ford Ranger
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.