1998 Ford Ranger: headlights failing or too dim

8 of the 575 complaints about the 1998 Ford Ranger describe headlights failing or too dim.

owner complaints: 8
of this car's complaints: 1%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 1 service bulletin covers this area of the car. See below

Headlights failing or too dim by model year

2024
1
2022
2
2020
2
2019
2
2011
5
2009
1
2008
2
2005
1
2004
3
2003
2
2002
3
2001
1
2000
6
1999
8
1998
8
1997
4
1996
9
1995
8
1994
1
1993
4
1992
2
1991
1
1990
1

What owners say

Filed Jun 8, 2015 · Lights, Steering · TX

1998 ford ranger. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle steering wheel issues. *smd the consumer stated the steering wheel melted. Also, the head lamp switch and connector was replaced.

Filed Feb 6, 2012 · Electrical, Lights · 119,000 miles · WA

Upon activating turn signal on a dark morning, the headlights completely failed. Activating the dim/bright lever provided intermittent activation. Upon release of the dim/bright function the headlights would not remain on in either dim or bright mode. Other users of vehicle report complete headlight failure. They too have been able to restore headlight function intermittently after several frantic seconds operating the light switch or the dimming lever while traveling in the dark.

Filed Nov 6, 2008 · Lights, Visibility · 40,000 miles · LA

The plastic headlight lens are severely cloudy, a lot worse as time time goes on....years ago, when I bought the truck they were clear, now they are very - very opac, cloudy, so bad that you can't even see the headlight bulb ! There are many vehicles that have the same problem! So many, in fact that the part store aftermarket industries have come out with a restoration kit . I am sure that the cloudy, opac lens do severely lessen the amount of light emitted through the lens. My opinion on this is that the type of plastic selected by ford seemed fine back in 1998 but over a period of years the plastic deteriorates. My recommendations is to have the manufactures replace them. By, I did buy the kit from a parts store and it is called headlight restorer / defogger kit. Myheadlight.com . My brother and I hand buffed his 2001 jeep headlights and it took us almost 2 hours ! It did help the amount of lighting! P.s. Sorry, haven't got spell-check....

Filed Jul 30, 2004 · Electrical · 31,300 miles · IN

While driving with headlights on at night, the headlights suddenly went out. The consumer had to turn the headlight switch several times to get the headlights to operate again. *ak the lights went out again and the consumer had to move the switch on the steering column back and forth to get the lights back on. The consumer was aware of other owners who have experienced this same problem. *sc

Filed Apr 1, 2004 · Electrical, Lights · 30,000 miles · IN

While driving with headlights on at night the headlights go out intermittently. The consumer must turn the headlight switch several times to get the headlights to operate again. *ak when the consumer placed the high beams on, they would fail to go back to dim. The switch on the dash sometimes failed to bring the lights on, would take several minutes before going off. The switches in the doors were faulty and casued the lights to fail to turn off.

Filed Jul 20, 1999 · Lights · WI

Headlamp switch failed causing visibility problems when only the tail lights and front parking lights were working. Mjs

Filed Jul 14, 1999 · Lights · LA

Part within the multi-function switch which controls turn signal /headlights/ low beams and high beams burned or melted, causing the headlights to become inoperable. Please give any further details.

Filed Feb 1, 1999 · Lights · CA

Inside head light inoperable. Yh