1988 FORD RANGER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

117

Owner Complaints

6 Crashes 27 Fires 1 Death

2

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

0

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 1988 FORD RANGER

The 1988 FORD RANGER has received a total of 117 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical Systemignitionswitch (12 complaints), Electrical Systemwiring (6 complaints), and Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline (6 complaints).

Recalls for the 1988 FORD RANGER

NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 1988 FORD RANGER, potentially affecting up to 23,641 vehicles.

Recall 98E010000 — SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR

| 23,500 vehicles affected

Defect: EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: AFTERMARKET BRAKE ROTORS FOR USE ON CERTAIN FORD AND MAZDA TRUCKS. CRACKED CASTINGS CAUSED CRACKS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER DIAMETER OF THE ROTOR HAT OR AROUND THE STUD HOLE.

Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKING CAN RESULT.

Remedy: AIMCO WILL REIMBURSE CONSUMERS/INSTALLERS FOR THE COST OF REPLACEMENT ROTORS AND INSTALLATION. CONSUMERS ARE REQUESTED TO RETURN TO THE LOCATION WHERE THE ROTORS WERE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED/INSTALLED FOR REPLACEMENT.

View full details →

Recall 87V141000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

| 141 vehicles affected

Defect: TRUCKS WERE BUILT WITH INCORRECT REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A TENDENCY FOR REAR BRAKE LOCKUP WOULD EXIST PARTICULARLY DURING HEAVY BRAKE APPLICAION WITH A LIGHTLY LOADED TRUCK. ALSO, INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE WOULD BE REQUIRED IF THE BRAKE MODULATION (PUMPING THE BRAKES) IS USED TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE DURING A HARD BRAKE STOP.

Remedy: REPLACE REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLIES.

View full details →

Owner Complaints for the 1988 FORD RANGER

117 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1988 FORD RANGER. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Electrical Systemignitionswitch
Complaints: 12 6 Fires
Electrical Systemwiring
Complaints: 6 4 Fires 2 Injuries
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 6 3 Fires
Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly
Complaints: 6 1 Crash 1 Injury
Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood
Complaints: 5 5 Fires
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 5
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 3
Electrical Systemignitionmodule
Complaints: 3
Fuel System Gasolinefuel Injection System
Complaints: 3 1 Fire
Power Trainclutch Assembly
Complaints: 3
Power Trainmanual Transmission
Complaints: 3
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdrum
Complaints: 3 1 Fire
Structure
Complaints: 3
Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevicesexterior
Complaints: 3
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
Complaints: 2
Electrical Systemstarter Assembly
Complaints: 2
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 2 2 Fires
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly
Complaints: 2
Latcheslockslinkageshoodlatch
Complaints: 2
Power Train
Complaints: 2 2 Injuries
Seat Beltsfrontanchorage
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 1 Death
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentshoses Linespiping And Fittings
Complaints: 2
Steering Steering Wheelhandle Bar
Complaints: 2 1 Fire
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 2 1 Fire
Electrical System
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemalternatorgeneratorregulator
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemhorn
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemstarter Assemblysolenoid
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightinghazard Flashing Warning Lights
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingturn Signal
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Fuel System Gasolinecarburetor System
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assembly
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 1
Power Trainclutch Assemblypedalhand Levermotorcycle
Complaints: 1
Power Traindrivelinedriveshaft
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Seat Beltsfrontretractor
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Seat Beltsfrontwebbing
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Seatsfront Assemblyrecliner
Complaints: 1 2 Injuries
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisc
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisccaliper
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscpads
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsmaster Cylinder
Complaints: 1
Steeringgear Box Other Than Rack And Pinion
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Structureframe And Members
Complaints: 1
Suspensionrearspringsleaf Spring Assembly
Complaints: 1
Tires
Complaints: 1
Tirestreadbelt
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controllinkages
Complaints: 1
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwashermotor
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11129805 | POWER TRAIN | | 180,000 miles 2 Injuries
I WAS DRIVING UPHILL ON HIGHWAY 152 WHEN MY SLIP YOKE EXPLODED BLOWING OUT THE REAR OF THE BELLHOUSING TO MY TRANSMISSION THROWING THE TRUCK REAR END 6 FT IN THE AIR AND THE NOSE OF THE TRUCK 3 FEET IN THE AIR THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE DRIVE SHAFT TAKING INTO THE GROUND WHEN COMING DOWN THE DRIVESHAFT SLAPPED AROUND RIPPING OUT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD FROM THE CADILLAC CONVERTER AND PUT A LARGE GASH APPROXIMATELY 12IN TO 18 IN INTO THE GAS TANK WHEN I DROP MY TRANSMISSION TO REPLACE IT I FOUND OUT THAT THE BLOCK WAS NO GOOD DUE TO THE FACT THAT 2 SQUARE PIECES OF THE BLOCK APPROXIMATELY 2 IN SQUARE CAME WITH THE TRANSMISSION AS IT WAS PULLED LEAVING THE BLOCK USELESS BUY THIS SLIP YOKE EXPLODING WHICH I FOUND OUT ON YOUTUBE THIS HAD HAPPENED TO OTHER FORD RANGERS OF THIS PARTICULAR YEAR DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE SLIP YOKE IS MADE OUT OF COMPRESS MATERIAL IT SHOULD BE A SOLID STILL PEACE IF NOT FOR GOING UPHILL I'M SURE MY TRUCK WOULD ROLLED END-OVER-END INN MAKING THIS INCIDENT FATAL IF I HAD KNOWN I COULD HAVE MADE AN INSTANT DIDN'T REPORT ABOUT THIS SITUATION EARLIER I WOULD HAVE
#10394372 | POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | | 650,050 miles
1988 FORD RANGER WAS TOWED BACK OUT HERE ON 4/1/2011 OK THIS 1988 FORD RANGER HAS NOT BEEN DROVE ANYWHERE OK IT ALSO WAS ON RECALL FOR BRAKE WORK AN THIS CAN'T BE DONE EITHER CAUSE OF OTHER ISSUE WITH POWER TRAIN AN YOU NEED BRAKE AN BE ABLE TO USE THE CLUTCH AS WILL OK AN THIS IS SITTING IN THE SIDE OD THE DRIVEWAY HERE THE 1988 FORD RANGER HAS X OUT RECALL RIGHT WITH THIS VIN NUMBER [XXX] , AN WHILE THEY WAS WORKING ON THIS 1988 FORD RANGER THERE WAS DAMAGE DONE , THEY NEVER PUT THE PART BACK AT ALL THERE BIG WHOLE THERE THIS 1988 FORD RANGER WAS A TRADE IN AT FAIRWAY FORD IN FREEPORT IL ON 2003 FORD RANGER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
#10344197 | STRUCTURE | | 57,000 miles
1988 FORD RANGER STILL NEEDING A NEW CAB, WELL I WENT ONLINE HERE TO SEE IF I COULD FIND SOME WHERE TO GET A 1988 FORD RANGER CAB. SO CHATTING ONLINE HERE WITH WHOLE SALE FORD RANGER SARA ASKED ME FOR A PART NUMBER FOR THE NEW CAB I SAID THAT THEY NEVER GAVE ME ONE ON THE RECEIPT. I CALLED SOME WHERE ELSE OK BRAD IS NAME AND HE SAID THAT I COULD PUT A PARCH IN THERE WHERE IT WOULD BE ROAD SAFE . BODY SHOP WOULD HAVE MY FORD RANGER BACK TO ROAD SAFE. OK, WHAT'S THE HOLD UP ON THIS NOW ? I MAILED IN THE EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID. UPDATED IVOQ 08/05/10 UPDATED IVOQ 08/19/10*JB *TR
#10343825 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | | 89,000 miles Fire
DRIVING 60 MPH, A LOSS OF POWER WAS NOTICED. THIS BECAME A LOUD EXHAUST NOISE. AFTER COASTING TO A STOP, PUTTING UP THE HOOD TO SEARCH FOR PROBLEMS, AND FINDING NO EVIDENCE OF ANY, ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BACKFIRED, AND SMOKE BEGAN TO POUR OUT FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. A FIRE STARTED WHICH COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. *TR
#10340651 | STRUCTURE | | 30,000 miles
WENT TO PICK UP MY 1988 FORD RANGER TODAY AT FAIRWAY FORD FREEPORT IL AT NUMBER 1 815 232 6868 OK I WAS TOLD HERE THAT THEY HAD BEEN TRYING TO CALL ME BUT WAS UNABLE TO REACH ME CALL HAD WRONG PHONE NUMBER OK BUT I HAVE REPORT HERE THAT STATE THAT TO FIX 1988 FORD RANGER THE FIRE WALL IS UNFIXABLE THEY NEW CAB TO MATCH THE COLOR OR APAINT JOB EITHER WAY AND I WILL SETTLE ON THIS PLU THEY WILL FIX MY CHEVY FOR PART THAT WILL BUY THAT NEED TO FIX WITH , BUT THEY NEED TO KNOW TO WHERE FINE ONE AT THAT IS ROAD SAFE, THAT YOU WOULD APPROVE AN THEY WILL REPAIR THE 1988 FORD RANGER AT THERE COST. *TR

View all Electrical Systemignitionswitch complaints →

Safety Rating for the 1988 FORD RANGER

NHTSA has not yet tested the 1988 FORD RANGER in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 1988 FORD RANGER

No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.

NHTSA Investigations for the 1988 FORD RANGER

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the FORD RANGER

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Other FORD Models

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