1998 Ford Ranger problems
Owners have filed 744 complaints about the 1998 Ford Ranger with NHTSA. Tires account for 19.6% of them — the clear leader, ahead of vehicle speed control at 10.1%.
Complaints744
Crashes85
Fires38
Injuries44
Deaths7
What owners report breaking
Tires 19.6% · 146
Vehicle speed control 10.1% · 75
Power train 9.1% · 68
Service brakes, hydraulic 8.5% · 63
Suspension 7.7% · 57
Engine and engine cooling 7.3% · 54
Structure 6.0% · 45
Air bags 4.6% · 34
Severity
Of those complaints, 85 describe a crash, 38 describe a fire, 44 report an injury and 7 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 26 model years of the Ford Ranger in this data, 1998 ranks 3rd by complaint volume — 1999 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 10 in the last three years against 14 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 100,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The front right tire blew out at 60 mph earlier this year. My local firestone dealer replaced the tire under the road hazard warranty but would not pay for the damage to the Ford Ranger. Usaa has the damage report and firestone has the tire failure report. The only thing I have are the pictures of the failed wilderness at 16 inch tire. I'm concerned about the remaining tires.( Dot number: ? Tire size: p235/70r16 ) Tires
The front right tire blew out at 60 mph earlier this year. My local firestone dealer replaced the tire under the road hazard warranty but would not pay for the damage to the Ford Ranger. Usaa has the damage report and firestone has the tire failure report. The only thing I have are the pictures of the failed wilderness at 16 inch tire. I'm concerned about the remaining tires. (Dot number: ? Tiresize: p235/70r16) Tires
Insd was traveling on I-95, clmt was on the left side of the insured, clmt got too close to the insd, insd attempted to move over to another lane. The insd's drvier side front tire blew out causing the insd to hit the wall. The roads were wet due to the rain. This vehicle had firestone tires..Model 225/70r14 althought these are not the tires in question, have any blow outs been reported. (Claim# 59-v210-100) Tires
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…