The 1998 Ford Ranger is a pickup truck that came with a choice of 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl and 4.0L 6-cyl engines. At 28 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.
| Body style | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD |
|---|---|
| Engines | 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl |
| Transmissions | Automatic 4-spd, Manual 5-spd, Automatic 5-spd |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 14–19 city / 18–24 highway / 16–21 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $3,200–$4,200 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 423–555 grams per mile |
| Versions tested by EPA | 10 configurations: Ranger Pickup 2WD, Ranger Pickup 4WD |
| Age | 28 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls covering the 1998 Ford Ranger. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Risk: This could result in an underhood fire.
Vehicle description: electric vehicles. The transaxle may have been manufactured with the park detent spring misaligned. If the spring is misaligned, the park mechanism may not engage when the shift lever is placed in the park position.
Risk: If the park mechanism does not engage and the vehicle operator has not applied the parking brake, the vehicle could roll free as if in neutral.
Vehicle description: certain 1997-1999 rhd explorer equipped with 4.0l ohv/sohc engines and cruise control built from may 29, 1996 through march 4, 1999; 1998-1999 explorer/mountaineers equipped with 4.0l ohv/sohc or 5.0l engines or 1998-1999 rangers equipped with 2.5l, 3.0l ffv/efi or 4.0l engines and cruise control built from…
Risk: If the cruise control is used and this condition is present, a stuck throttle could result, which could potentially result in a crash.
Vehicle description: light duty four-wheel drive pickup trucks equipped with off-road option. The tire and rim identification information is incorrect on these vehicles. This does not comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 120, "tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars."
Risk: The 16" tires could not be inflated on the specified 15x7.0j rim.
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks equipped with 4.0l engines. The flexible section of the chassis mounted fuel line that connects to the engine was routed too close to the exhaust manifold. The line could contact the manifold.
Risk: This could potentially result in damage to the fuel line, or in some cases, cause a fuel leak. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Owners have filed 576 complaints about the 1998 Ford Ranger with NHTSA. 66 reports involved a crash and 29 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 40 injuries.
Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.
Manufacturers have filed 289 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 1998 Ford Ranger. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
Front axle leaks fluid from vent tube - vehicles equipped with 4x4 or awd. *tt
General (PCM) power train control module programming procedures. *tt
Revised procedure for adjusting alignment on all suspensions - new right hand upper control arm design for torsion bar front suspensions. *tt
Driveshaft thump clunk on light acceleration from stop or when braking and coming to a stop. *eh
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
NHTSA opened 1 defect investigation covering the 1998 Ford Ranger.
Steering knuckle separations
There is no summary currently available
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It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. As a heavier vehicle, its scrap weight adds to the offer. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.
Yes. We buy 1998 Rangers that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 1998 Ford Ranger; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.
Data retrieved October 2026.
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