1988 Ford Ranger Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

1988 Ford Ranger recalls

Most common 1988 Ford Ranger problems

Problem areas named in the 89 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Electrical System	38
Engine And Engine Cooling	15
Power Train	11
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	11
Seat Belts	10
Fuel System, Gasoline	7
Visibility	5
Structure	4
Steering	3
Vehicle Speed Control	2

What owners report

2018-09-17, Power Train
I WAS DRIVING UPHILL ON HIGHWAY 152 WHEN MY SLIP YOKE EXPLODED BLOWING OUT THE REAR OF THE BELLHOUSING TO MY TRANSMISSION THROWING THE TRUCK REAR END 6 FT IN THE AIR AND THE NOSE OF THE TRUCK 3 FEET IN THE AIR THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE DRIVE SHAFT TAKING INTO THE GROUND WHEN COMING DOWN THE DRIVESHAFT SLAPPED AROUND RIPPING OUT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD FROM THE CADILLAC CONVERTER AND PUT A LARGE GASH APPROXIMATELY 12IN TO 18 IN INTO THE GAS TANK WHEN I DROP MY TRANSMISSION TO REPLACE IT I FOUND OUT THAT THE BLOCK WAS NO GOOD DUE TO THE FACT THAT 2 SQUARE PIECES OF THE BLOCK APPROXIMATELY 2 IN SQUARE CAME WITH THE TRANSMISSION AS IT WAS PULLED LEAVING THE BLOCK USELESS BUY THIS SLIP YOKE EXPLODING W

2011-04-06, Power Train
1988 FORD RANGER WAS TOWED BACK OUT HERE ON 4/1/2011 OK THIS 1988 FORD RANGER HAS NOT BEEN DROVE ANYWHERE OK IT ALSO WAS ON RECALL FOR BRAKE WORK AN THIS CAN'T BE DONE EITHER CAUSE OF OTHER ISSUE WITH POWER TRAIN AN YOU NEED BRAKE AN BE ABLE TO USE THE CLUTCH AS WILL OK AN THIS IS SITTING IN THE SIDE OD THE DRIVEWAY HERE THE 1988 FORD RANGER HAS X OUT RECALL RIGHT WITH THIS VIN NUMBER [XXX] , AN WHILE THEY WAS WORKING ON THIS 1988 FORD RANGER THERE WAS DAMAGE DONE , THEY NEVER PUT THE PART BACK AT ALL THERE BIG WHOLE THERE THIS 1988 FORD RANGER WAS A TRADE IN AT FAIRWAY FORD IN FREEPORT IL ON 2003 FORD RANGER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5

2010-07-20, Structure
1988 FORD RANGER STILL NEEDING A NEW CAB, WELL I WENT ONLINE HERE TO SEE IF I COULD FIND SOME WHERE TO GET A 1988 FORD RANGER CAB. SO CHATTING ONLINE HERE WITH WHOLE SALE FORD RANGER SARA ASKED ME FOR A PART NUMBER FOR THE NEW CAB I SAID THAT THEY NEVER GAVE ME ONE ON THE RECEIPT. I CALLED SOME WHERE ELSE OK BRAD IS NAME AND HE SAID THAT I COULD PUT A PARCH IN THERE WHERE IT WOULD BE ROAD SAFE . BODY SHOP WOULD HAVE MY FORD RANGER BACK TO ROAD SAFE. OK, WHAT'S THE HOLD UP ON THIS NOW ? I MAILED IN THE EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID. UPDATED IVOQ 08/05/10 UPDATED IVOQ 08/19/10*JB *TR

2010-07-18, Engine And Engine Cooling
DRIVING 60 MPH, A LOSS OF POWER WAS NOTICED. THIS BECAME A LOUD EXHAUST NOISE. AFTER COASTING TO A STOP, PUTTING UP THE HOOD TO SEARCH FOR PROBLEMS, AND FINDING NO EVIDENCE OF ANY, ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BACKFIRED, AND SMOKE BEGAN TO POUR OUT FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. A FIRE STARTED WHICH COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. *TR

2010-06-29, Structure
WENT TO PICK UP MY 1988 FORD RANGER TODAY AT FAIRWAY FORD FREEPORT IL AT NUMBER 1 815 232 6868 OK I WAS TOLD HERE THAT THEY HAD BEEN TRYING TO CALL ME BUT WAS UNABLE TO REACH ME CALL HAD WRONG PHONE NUMBER OK BUT I HAVE REPORT HERE THAT STATE THAT TO FIX 1988 FORD RANGER THE FIRE WALL IS UNFIXABLE THEY NEW CAB TO MATCH THE COLOR OR APAINT JOB EITHER WAY AND I WILL SETTLE ON THIS PLU THEY WILL FIX MY CHEVY FOR PART THAT WILL BUY THAT NEED TO FIX WITH , BUT THEY NEED TO KNOW TO WHERE FINE ONE AT THAT IS ROAD SAFE, THAT YOU WOULD APPROVE AN THEY WILL REPAIR THE 1988 FORD RANGER AT THERE COST. *TR

1988 Ford Ranger questions

Does the 1988 Ford Ranger have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 1988 Ford Ranger: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 1988 Ford Ranger?

Based on 89 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (38), Engine And Engine Cooling (15), Power Train (11).

How do I check if a recall on my 1988 Ford Ranger has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.