12 problems related to frame rust have been reported for the 1998 Ford Ranger. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Rear frame excessive rusting. Spare tire carrier fell off while driving. One side of bumper fell off. Noticed when I stepped on it.
The frame has rusted so severely that the rear suspension is detaching from frame and frame is almost rusted completely through and will separate soon. The spare tire and carrier have fallen off where is was attached to the frame due to the excessive rust and the bed mounts have rusted away and no longer attach to the frame leaving the bed with no solid mount. Spare tire and carrier fell off on interstate while driving.
Frame is rusting out even though the rest of the truck looks great . The truck has not been driven in winter because I have a work car with front wheel drive that I use for this and the frame on that vehicle is in better condition than my Ranger. We have owned the truck since 2002 and it's a 1998 model.
The rear frame completely rusted off between the rear spring shackles and rear bumper, the spare tire mount if almost completely rusted away, and the gas tank cross member is also nearly rusted away,1/2 is missing on the passenger side. The rear springs detached when the shackled rusted away. The vehicle was stationary.
Went to get estimate on replacing muffler system and was told not to do it because frame was rusted and ready to break. I have owned this vehicle since Jan. 16 2001. Also had to replace rear shackles in 2009. Does Ford have any recall on this as I have read many many others that have the same complaint.
Spare tire fell off while driving. Entire frame is rusting. Gas tank about to fall off. Truck only has 115000 miles????.
My 1998 Ranger will not pass state inspection again due to frame rust. Not just in the rear but all over. The rest of the truck is in good shape.
I have a 1998 Ford Ranger extaned cab, my frame hast rusted through causing my bed to be unattched.
Spare tire carried under truck completely rusted away and spare fell on highway and rear frame completely rusting away. Original rims had to be changed also because they rusted so bad wouldnt hold air.
1998 Ford Ranger with frame rust. Rear shackles have rusted and fallen off.
The rear bumper in my 1998 Ford Ranger (80k miles) is about to fall off, as the rear of the frame is rusted & broken. I have cables holding it on now. I found this out after the rear leaf spring shackle & bracket rusted off the frame and broke in two. The spare tire also looks like it is about to fall off from rusted brackets. I did an internet search and found that there are probably thousands of Ford Rangers in which the rear bumper actually did fall off, or the spare fell off while driving. This problem seems to be much worse that the Toyota trucks. In fact someone said that the Ford frames were bought at the same factory as the Toyota's, but I do not know fore sure. Everything else on my truck is in beautiful condition, not a speck of rust on the body, and it runs great. I bought it brand new.
Extremely rusted car frame.