Our 1998 ford ranger xlt with the 4.0l v-6 and the 5-speed automatic transmission experienced intermittent problems with shifting. On occasion the vehicle would hesitate when being shifted into park and would on occasion attempt to surge forward when the vehicle was stopped while in drive. The problems recently became worse after only 44k miles and began to impact the driving performance of the vehicle. The shifting of the automatic transmission while in drive would sometimes hesitate and had become unpredictable. The vehicle was taken to an aamco dealer and upon inspection of the transmission found that the center support had stripped and that the broken teeth were being circulated throughout the transmission. When the broken pieces came in contact with the other gears it would cause them to hang and create a pressure loss. The service repair technician stated that this failure was most likely due to the part being improperly cast during manufacturing. The failure of this part and the collateral damage caused by the circulation of the broken teeth in the transmission required a partial rebuild of the transmission. Transmission type: 5r55e production date: 02-98.
1998 Ford Ranger: sudden unintended acceleration
6 of the 575 complaints about the 1998 Ford Ranger describe sudden unintended acceleration.
- owner complaints
- 6
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 2
Sudden unintended acceleration by model year
What owners say
While pulling into the garage the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed through the back of the garage and resulted in over $12,000 worth of damage.
The consumers vehicle suddenly accelerated and resulted in a frontal collision through the garage. Neither the driver or passenger air bags deployed.
While pulling into driveway the vehicle suddenly accelerated causing an accident. (attorney for consumer).
Started vehicle up. Had door opened at times driver's leg not inside vehicle. Vehicle suddenly accelerated forward, without warning. Hit a truck & then a wall. Upon impact, neither air bags deployed.
When consumer was at traffic light, the engine suddenly accelerated while stepping on the brake pedal and reaching to 1000 RPM; consumer stated that vehicle used to pull to the side, and tires were rotated before.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Some vehicles may exhibit surge, hesitation or rough idle or malfunction indicator lamp on w/ diagnostic...
- Vehicles may experience high idle
- A high idle condition on deceleration and/or when the clutch is disengaged.
- Some vehicles with 2.5L manual transmission may exhibit a high idle condition on deceleration and/or when...
- Information regarding slow return to idle
- Some vehicles may exhibit an occasional hoot / moan from the idle air control (IAC) valve
- Experiencing a thump and / or bump sensation on light acceleration and / or deceleration on some vehicles
- Concerns with thump / bump sensation on acceleration
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected as an interim repair. As soon as repair parts are available (expected october 2007), owners will be instructed to return to the dealers for installation of a fused wiring harness. The recall began on august 13, 2007, and mailing completed by september 19, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1‑888‑222‑2751.
Recall number 07V336000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- 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 january 5, 1998 through march 4, 1999; 1998-1999 mustangs equipped with 3.8l, 4.6l 2-valve or 4-valve engines and cruise control built from march 2, 1998 through march 4, 1999; 1999 f250/f350/f450/f550 (over 8,500 lbs.) trucks equipped with 5.4l or 6.8l engines and cruise control built from march 2, 1998 through march 4, 1999; and 1999 f-53 stripped chassis equipped with 5.4l or 6.8l engines and cruise control built from march 2, 1998 through march 4, 1999. A cruise control cable can interfere with the speed control servo pulley and not allow the throttle to return to idle when disengaging the cruise control.
- Risk
- If the cruise control is used and this condition is present, a stuck throttle could result, which could potentially result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the cruise control cables. At the present time, the replacement cables are not available. Customers are being advised not to use the cruise control system until a replacement can be made.
Recall number 99V062001 · Recall details
Questions about the 1998 Ford Ranger sudden acceleration
Is sudden unintended acceleration a common problem on the 1998 Ford Ranger?
6 of 575 owner complaints about the 1998 Ford Ranger (1%) mention sudden unintended acceleration. The model year with the most reports is 2003.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1998 Ford Ranger?
There are 2 recalls and 12 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1998 Ford Ranger
Tire blowout 53Adaptive cruise 20Fire or smoke 20Stalling 16No deployment 11Ball joint 10Brake failure 10Grinding brakes 10Headlights 8Harsh shifting 7Hesitation 7ABS 6Loss of power 6Seat belt 6Knocking 5
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