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1988 Ford RangerProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 89 owner complaints about the 1988 Ford Ranger, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

68
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years54% below the Ranger median · #27 of 35 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints8933 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage154kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 17, 2018. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 Ford Ranger has problems

89 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system3214
Engine and engine cooling135
Power train92
Service brakes, hydraulic91
Seat belts93
Fuel system, gasoline62
Visibility41
Structure40
Steering32
7 other systems101

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1988 Ford Ranger recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1988 vs. every other Ranger year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Ranger median. How we score

'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'14'16'17'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1988 Ford Ranger, and the recalls they led to.

  1. THROTTLE STICKINGEA90042 · closed Dec 31, 1991
    No recall
  2. WHL SEPARATION/TORQUE LOSSPE92029 · closed Aug 31, 1992
    No recall
In owners' words

What Ranger owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I BOUGHT A 1988 FORD RANGER TAN GOLD IN COLOR LOVE THE TRUCK, BUT I WENT TO INDIANA TO PICK MY SON UP EVERYTHING WAS FINE BUT ON THE WAY BACK THAT'S WHEN EVERYTHING STARTED TO FALL APART HERE. OK, STARTER WOULDN'T RESTART HAD TO POP CLUTCH IT, AN THEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL ITSELF GAVE AWAY FROM THE FIRE…
Complaint 10328338 · May 1, 2010 · 51,000 miles
FAILURE IN THE IGNITION SYSTEM (THIRD TIME WITH THIS VEHICLE) 2-12-97 WAS THE FIRST TIME I REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE, THEN ON 10-01-01 THE IGNITION MODULE NEEDED TO REPLACED A SECOND TIME. THIS IS QUITE A CONCERN TO ME BECAUSE THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLS OUT. I LOSE ALL POWER, INCLUDING…
Complaint 10036905 · Aug 30, 2003 · 257,662 miles
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY HEADLIGHTS STARTED FLICKING ON AND OFF. CONSUMER TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. *AK
Complaint 10022893 · Jun 11, 2003

Own a 1988 Ranger?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.