1998 Ford Ranger: fire, smoke or burning smell

20 of the 575 complaints about the 1998 Ford Ranger describe fire, smoke or burning smell.

owner complaints: 20
of this car's complaints: 3%
typical mileage: 70,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 18 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year

2025
2
2021
4
2020
2
2019
5
2011
2
2009
1
2008
1
2007
1
2005
6
2004
1
2003
10
2002
10
2001
7
2000
12
1999
15
1998
20
1997
4
1996
14
1995
6
1994
9
1993
10
1992
23
1991
14
1990
9

What owners say

Filed May 13, 2014 · Body, Engine · 250 miles · CA · fire

I was driving on the freeway and the truck started smoking and caught on fire, I pulled off the freeway and the whole front of the truck burst into flames.

Filed Oct 20, 2013 · Body, Engine · MS · fire

While in bed at 2:00 am truck caught fire.

Filed Jan 6, 2012 · Acceleration, Brakes · CA · fire

Parked out on the street in front of my house, caught on fire around 9 pm. Fire trucks came and put it out and knocked on the door around 9:25 pm.

Filed Apr 6, 2011 · Electrical · 215,708 miles · TN · fire

Truck was parked at the veterinarian and I had gone inside with my two dogs. After about 15 or 20 minutes someone outside was blowing there car horn. The receptionist looked out and then told me my truck was on fire. I ran outside and smoke and flames were coming out from under the hood. We used fire extinguishers but that did very little. The fire truck got there and got the fire put out. They cut the hood open to make sure the fire was out.

Filed Mar 22, 2010 · Transmission · 35,000 miles · OH · fire

1998 ford ranger, drive shaft broke on vehicle. *bf after the drive shaft broke, it went through the gas tank can caused the vehicle to catch on fire. Ohio traffic crash report #10-0294-89 updated 05/03/10 *bf updated 05/24/10 *bf the rear axle pinion froze, the drive shaft twisted and broke in two. Updated 05/28/10

Filed Jun 1, 2009 · Acceleration · 136,000 miles · IN · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford ranger. After the vehicle had been parked for 13 hours, it caught fire. The contact filed a report with the police department. A recall notice for the federal safety agency campaign id number 07v336000 (vehicle speed control) was received prior to the failure and the vehicle was taken to the dealer on october 10, 2008 for the recall repair. The vehicle was repaired at that time; therefore, the contact does not understand how his vehicle still caught fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that he would receive a call back within 14 business days by their legal department. The failure mileage was 136,000.

Filed Mar 31, 2009 · Acceleration · 104,000 miles · AZ · fire

I had driven my 98 ford ranger for a distance of about 10 miles prior to the incident. 2 hours after I got home my truck burst into flames. The truck is totaled now. I did nothing to remedy the situation because I was unaware of the problem. Thank you for your time.

Filed Aug 13, 2007 · Lights · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford ranger. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from the hazard switch. The vehicle was taken to the garage and the turn signal switch was replaced. The manufacturer informed the contact that there were no recalls. The current and failure mileages were unknown.

Filed Jul 25, 2007 · Acceleration · 60,186 miles · NC · fire

I own a 1998 ford ranger. To begin the cruise control quit working. Then I noticed smoke from the engine compartment area. The brake pressure switch on the master brake cylinder caught fire. My husband was able to disconnect it and extinguish the fire prior to any significant damage occurring. I contacted ford and they advised the vehicle was not on the recall list of vehicles for this problem. I spoke to the dealer and they advised the truck had a similar or the same switch as those on the recalled vehicles that have caused fires in the past.

Filed Jul 10, 2007 · Acceleration, Engine · 85,000 miles · SC · fire

Pulled my 1998 ford ranger into a store parking lot. I was getting ready to park when I could smell something burning. Stopped the truck. Smoke was coming from under the hood. I popped the hood and saw an electrical plug burning with flames. I was able to blow the flames out before much else was damaged. I was able to drive it to a ford dealership. They told me that the cruise control plug is what caught fire. It also damaged my reservoir for the brake fluid. They are replacing the master cylinder and the cruise control plug. Of course, this is at my own expense, not fords.

Filed Aug 1, 2006 · Acceleration, Electrical · 48,000 miles · FL · fire

My 1998 ford ranger caught fire on july 31, 2006. The truck had been parked in front of our house and the engine had been turned off. Minutes later, the vehicle unexpectedly caught fire under the hood and a watchful neighbor called the fire department. Now, the vehicle's engine is completely charred, property on the house is damaged, and the vehicle is a total loss. I have contacted my insurance company and I will have a fire inspector determine the cause of the fire. Further investigation on the internet has LED me to believe the fire may have been caused by a faulty speed control switch present on many ford vehicles. The federal safety agency is currently conducting an investigation on this matter, as it has already received over 550 complaints from similar incidents. Please make a report of this complaint and contact me for further information. Thank you.

Filed Sep 6, 2005 · Acceleration · 70,000 miles · FL · fire

Replaced fuse that had blown on cruise control on 1998 ford ranger. Stepped on brake to put in gear and noticed excessive smoke from under hood. Opened hood and found mechanism in front of master cylinder reservoir on fire. Small fire torched front of reservoir I put out the fire with a towel breaking the mechanism, cruise control brake disconnect.