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1.7

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
94,382 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 suspension problems

suspension problem

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1998 Ford Ranger Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #22

Mar 252021

Ranger

  • 151,000 miles

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

The rear of the frame rusted causing the bumper to hang off. It will fall off if not addressed

- New London, WI, USA

problem #21

Mar 281918

Ranger

  • 150,000 miles
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

- Hillsborough, NJ, USA

problem #20

May 092019

Ranger

  • 210,050 miles
The frame has rusted so severely that the rear suspension is detaching from frame and frame is almost rusted completely through and will separate soon. The spare tire and carrier have fallen off where is was attached to the frame due to the excessive rust and the bed mounts have rusted away and no longer attach to the frame leaving the bed with no solid mount. Spare tire and carrier fell off on interstate while driving.

- Shelbyville, KY, USA

problem #19

Mar 312018

Ranger

  • 111,150 miles

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

Vehicle back bumper fell off due to excessive rust (while in motion). Ball joints, tie rods, upper and lower control arm brackets rusted out as well as holes in the frame (all identified while stationary).

- Cumming, GA, USA

problem #18

Oct 282017

Ranger

  • 114,000 miles
"frame recall ? " while driving frame broke in half, both sides. Since owning I have replaced leaf spring and shock bracket, and also removed spare tire bracket before it fell off in roadway. This needs to be addressed before someone gets killed!!!

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #17

May 052015

Ranger

  • 120,000 miles
The rear frame of the truck fell apart rusted away

- Stratford , CT, USA

problem #16

May 262015

Ranger

  • miles

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

The back section of the frame is rusted off the spring hangers are rusted off the fuel tank cross member is rusted off and the tire hanger is rusted off the shock mounts are about rusted off and the springs are bent because the brackets rusted off

- Debord , KY, USA

problem #15

Jul 142010

Ranger

  • 96,000 miles
Driving on hi way, evap canister rotted off, and also lost my spare tire, I have patched frame 13 times now waiting for a recall to come out and yet still havnt heard of one. Truck needs to be fixed as soon as possible.. hoping anyway possible that they will throw a recall out there for us Ranger owners. Thankyou.

- Gardner, MA, USA

problem #14

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 #13

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 #12

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 #11

Apr 282009

Ranger 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
Took in for inspection. It failed because of rusted frame, shackles, shocks, brake lines and rear brake drums. It cost me $3,127.34 to replace all the parts. Before this, the spare tire fell off. Toyota replaced the frame of my neighbors pickup at no cost to him. I also have a friend who had a year 2000 Mazda pickup that had a rusted frame and wouldn't pass inspection. I'm sure this isn't the first complaint on this subject. I bought Ford for years and my father worked for a Ford dealer ship for 40 years. Since this truck, I will not buy another Ford. Thanks for your consideration.

- Shohola, PA, USA

problem #10

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 #9

Dec 262012

Ranger

  • 180 miles
Rear frame has rotted out by the right rear spring hanger causing spring to go tru bed and the rear axle to be detached the truck at this time in in operable due to this will be trying to weld and replace it as best as can be but this seems to be a common complaint im reading about online sure wish Ford would step up like Toyota did

- Denmark , ME, USA

problem #8

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 #7

Oct 012012

Ranger

  • 85,107 miles
Severely rusted out rear frame rails that would not pass pa. Inspection codes. In the past 3 years I have replaced all the rear spring hangers and mounts. I understand that this is a major problem with the Ford Ranger line and is why im sending this letter and form.

- Latrobe , PA, USA

problem #6

Jun 012012

Ranger 6-cyl

  • 134,000 miles
Rear leaf spring mounts rotted and broken, rear bumper mounts rotted and very close to failure, spare tire mount severley rotted.

- Middleborough, MA, USA

problem #5

Jun 012012

Ranger

  • 131,000 miles
Rear section of frame that hold spare tire fell off while driving, tire and frame section just missed a vehicle behind me, at this same time the frame broke off just in front of the rear spring hanger on the driver side.

- Sangerville, ME, USA

problem #4

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

problem #3

Mar 282004

Ranger

  • 50,000 miles
When the brake pedal was depressed the entire vehicle vibrated. A mechanic test drove the vehicle, and indicated that something was wrong, but has to inspect the vehicle to locate the cause of the vibration.

- Farmington, IL, USA

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