1998 Ford RANGER EV: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
69,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 5 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 20.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 1 |
| Tires | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Power Train:Axle Assembly: 1; Tires: 1; Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
2000: 2; 2004: 1; 2007: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10103292 · 2004-12-07 (December 7, 2004)
CONSUMER CAN REMOVE THE KEY AND STILL TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE PART THAT WAS DEFECTIVE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10103292 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10192523 · 2007-06-06 (June 6, 2007)
I PURCHASED A VEHICLE WITH AN EXPRESS 45 DAY GUARANTEE. WITHIN THE 45 DAYS I WAS HAVING MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE. IT WAS NOT SHIFTING RIGHT, IT WAS OVERHEATING, LEAKING OIL AND RADIATOR FLUID. SINCE THE PROBLEMS WERE FOUND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK INTO THE COMPANY FOR REPAIRS OVER AND OVER AGAIN, IT IS NOW FOUR MONTHS LATER AND THE PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. WITH ALL THE BAD REPAIRS AND INSTALLS DONE ON THE VEHICLE IT'S LIFE EXPECTANCY IS NOW SHOT. THE COMPANY DOES NOT HAVE ANY OTHER COMPARABLE VEHICLES TO PUT US IN AND IS…
Owner-reported narrative. 108,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10192523 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10207744 · 2007-11-02 (November 2, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD RANGER EV. ON OCTOBER 23, 2007, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CRUISE CONTROL. SHE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL JANUARY OF 2008. SHE HAS NOT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147,000. UPDATED 03/05/08. *LJ
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10207744 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 726561 · 2000-08-03 (August 3, 2000)
I ASKED THE MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND FIXED IT WHAT THE POSSIBLE CAUSE COULD BE, AND THE ANSWER GIVEN WAS "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR." THIS DOES NOT SEEM REASONABLE SINCE THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN CAREFULLY MAINTAINED BY THIS DEALERSHIP SINCE NEW, AND HAS NO SEVERE USE, OR UNUSUAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. MOST MILEAGE HAS BEEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WITH NO APPRECIABLE LOAD. THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE HAS APPROXIMATELY 150 OF THESE MACHINES ON A LONG TERM LEASE WHICH WILL EXPIRE AT APPROXIMATELLY FEB 2001. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 726561 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 732548 · 2000-09-26 (September 26, 2000)
THE BELTS CUT THROUGH THE LEFT FRONT TIRE FROM THE INSIDE. FROM THE OUTSIDE, THE TIRES HAVE THREE CUTS IN THEM SO DEEP THE BELTS CAN BE SEEN. I REPLACED THE TIRES BECAUSE OF THE FIRESTONE RECALL SCARE. I STILL HAVE THE DEFECTIVE TIRES THOUGH.THE TIRE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT LOOKED LIKE THE BELT HAD SEPERATED AND CUT THROUGH FROM THE INSIDE. DRIVING IT FELT LIKE THE TIRE WAS FOLDING OVER ITSELF ESPECIALLY WHEN I TOOK A TURN.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P23570R16 )
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 732548 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
01V062000 · Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
Reported: 2001-02-26 (February 26, 2001)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ELECTRIC LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. IF THE TRANSAXLE ATTACHING BOLTS BEGIN TO LOOSEN, THE DRIVER COULD NOTICE A JERKING MOTION AND/OR A CLUNKING SOUND. IF NOT SERVICED PROMPTLY, ALL NINE BOLTS COULD ULTIMATELY FALL OUT OR FRACTURE AND THE TRANSAXLE COULD DROP. IF THE TRANSAXLE DROPS, THE VEHICLE MAY NO LONGER BE IN THE GEAR INDICATED.
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE SHIFT LEVER COULD BE PUT INTO "PARK" AND THE VEHICLE WOULD STILL BE FREE TO ROLL AS IF IN "NEUTRAL," INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MOUNTING BOLTS WITH LONGER BOLTS THAT INCLUDE A THREAD LOCK MATERIAL. WHEN INSTALLED, THE NEW BOLTS WILL BE TIGHTENED TO A HIGHER TORQUE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 8, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
NHTSA campaign record ↗98V079000 · Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables
Reported: 1998-04-21 (April 21, 1998)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY ELECTRIC PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTIONAL TRACTION BATTERY HEATER SYSTEM. THIS BATTERY HEATER COULD HAVE A LOOSE CRIMP CONNECTION WHERE THE POWER WIRES ARE ATTACHED TO ONE OF THE HEATER ELEMENTS.
Consequence: THE LOOSE CONNECTION COULD ARC IGNITING SURROUNDING MATERIALS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL DISABLE THE BATTERY PACK HEATERS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗