1998 Ford Ranger: sudden loss of power

6 of the 575 complaints about the 1998 Ford Ranger describe sudden loss of power.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 1%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 52 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Sudden loss of power by model year

2026
1
2025
3
2024
6
2021
9
2020
14
2019
12
2007
1
2006
4
2005
3
2004
7
2003
3
2002
3
2001
5
2000
7
1999
1
1998
6
1997
6
1994
4
1993
2
1992
2

What owners say

Filed Aug 19, 2005 · Fuel system · 25,000 miles · CA

Purchased truck used in may 1999 with 15,000 miles on it. Problem started after having 25,000 odometer miles on truck. Vehicle would accelerate upon stopping or slowing. Had idle adjusted next scheduled maintenance (30k). As of this date, august 19, 2005, vehicle still accelerates on very rare occasions. After a few months from the 45k maintenance check the vehicle then started to stall at random when stopping or slowing. At regular maintenance checks I would tell tech about stalling problems. Most often tech could not duplicate problem on road test. Vehicle would be serviced, stalling problem would stop for a very short time, and then problem would come back. July 12, 2005- I went on road with tech on road test and found tech was down-shifting at stops. Told him not to and then vehicle did stall when coming to stop. Dealer: inspected and verified complaint, checked and found idle air control faulty, removed and replaced iac motor and concern. Tech notes: still acting up. Found idle speed adjusted too high. Readjusted idle screw, road tested and rechecked ok. Problem was solved for a brief three weeks and resurfaced. As of august 19, 2005- the stalling problem stills exists. Is a very real safety issue, as I have had several close accident calls. Examples: 1) turning off a very busy street (45mph) into parking lot, having vehicle stall and losing all power steering into turn, having to avoid hitting trees, buildings, people, and others cars in process. 2) coming to a red stoplight, my vehicle stalls, stoplights changing to green as approaching, cars behind me having to avoid hitting my truck as I restart. 3) vehicle stalling at yield sign. No cross traffic and cars behind me expecting me to pass through.

Filed Aug 20, 2001 · Engine · TX

As I was turning a corner the vehicle suddenly appeared to lose power. I thought initially the engine had stalled and I coasted to the side of the road. The engine was still running however it would not accelerate out of idle and would stall when the accelerator was pressed. The vehicle would ilde along and I was forced to run on the shoulder of the road in idle the rest of the way home. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and two air sensors were replaced at my expense.

Filed Sep 20, 2000 · Fuel system · NC · fire

While driving consumer heard clicking noise coming form engine compartment and then suddenly vehicle lost all power . Consumer immediately pulled over to the side, and wiithin seconds cab began to fill with smoke. Consumer got out, and within 15 seconds flames went through the hood, and melted all engine com partment fire department came out, and stated and cause was possibly due to fuel pump or fuel lines.

Filed Oct 15, 1999 · Engine · FL

When driving at any speed the vehicle is cutting off, and there is a loss of power when applying the gas pedal due to the mass air flow sensor going out. Vehicle has been in the shop for repairs five times.

Filed Aug 24, 1999 · Engine, Transmission · AR

Vehicle would lose power. Engine felt like it had died. An intermittent problem. When in lower gear only, would die out. Have been to dealer's twice.

Filed Apr 27, 1999 · Steering · TX

The power steering pump malfunctioned, causing the power steering fluid to crystallize, resulting in loss of power steering. Dealer replaced power steering pump 4 times, and has replaced starter and repaired the coolant system once. *ak