RoadVitals

1998 Ford Ranger EV

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
6
Latest Nov 2, 2007
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Feb 26, 2001
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Ford Ranger EV, most frequently naming the engine, heating & air conditioning and driver assistance categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 6 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine228.6%
  • Heating & air conditioning114.3%
  • Driver assistance114.3%
  • Electrical114.3%
  • Powertrain (other)114.3%
  • Tires & wheels114.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
01V062000

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Feb 26, 2001
1,260 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 01S07View on NHTSA.gov
98V079000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

Apr 21, 1998
26 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THE LOOSE CONNECTION COULD ARC IGNITING SURROUNDING MATERIALS.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL DISABLE THE BATTERY PACK HEATERS.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Driver assistance
Filed Nov 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

NHTSA ID
10207744
Incident
Oct 23, 2007
Engine
Filed Jun 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 REFUSING TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE BACK FOR THE PRICE I PAID ON IT.

NHTSA ID
10192523
Incident
Feb 2, 2007
Mileage
108,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 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

NHTSA ID
10103292
Incident
Dec 8, 1998
Mileage
30,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 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 )

NHTSA ID
732548
Incident
Aug 10, 2000
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 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

NHTSA ID
726561
Incident
Jul 28, 2000
Heating & air conditioningEngine
Filed Feb 1, 1999

A/C LINE FAILED. YH

NHTSA ID
609896
Incident
Dec 27, 1997

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

0265

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) COLD WEATHER BATTERY PERFORMANCE. *TT

01B69

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM NOTIFYING OWNERS THAT THEIR VEHICLE MAY HAVE AN ELECTRIC COOLANT PUMP THAT COULD MALFUNCTION UNDER CERTAIN DUTY CYCLES. THIS PRORAM INVOLVES POSSIBLE REPLACEMENT OF THE ELECTRIC COOLANT PUMP. *TT

01B69S1

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM (SUPPLEMENT #1) REGARDING ELECTRIC COOLANT PUMP REPLACEMENT. REVISED TO REFLECT ELECTRIC COOLANT PUMP REPLACEMENT FOR ALL AFFECTED 1998 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES, WITHOUT THE NEED OF PERFORMING A WIGGLE TEST. *TT

01B70

ONWER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM REGARDING INTERMITTENT OIL WARNING LAMP - TIM SOFTWARE UPDATE. *TT

01B76

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

SUBJECT REGARDING BATTERY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR CERTAIN ELECTRIC VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A LEAD ACID TRACTION BATTERY. *TT

00B37

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SUBJECT ON THE OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM 00B37, THE CURRENT TRACTIONH BATTERY MAY PREMATURELY TRIGGER THE LOS (LIMITED OPERATING STRATEGY). *MJS

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford Ranger EV by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2001120247.4
2000610—
1999410—
1998Viewing620—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.