← New search

1999 Ford Ranger

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Ranger years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Ford Ranger are substantially higher than the model-year median of 144.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

214 reports with mileage · 541 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Tires. Review the 178 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 89 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 80 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

96 crash reports14 fire reports50 injury reports

Structure complaints

89 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Nov 26, 2003
Interior LightingStructure

DOOR OPEN SENSOR/SWITCHES ARE DEFECTIVE. DOOR AJAR DASH LIGHT AND DOME LIGHT REMAINS ON. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10047593

Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2003
Structure

THE DRIVER'S DOOR NEVER CLOSED PROPERLY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10011409

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2002
Structure

I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL OF THE 2001 FORD RANGER FOR THE VERY SAME PROBLEM MY TRUCK SEEME TO HAVE. NHTSA#:00V394000. I WAS DRIVING WHEN THE HOOD SNAPPED OPEN. I COULD HAVE VERY EASILY BEEN IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION WHEN MY ENTIRE VIEW WAS BLOCKED WITH THE HOOD. I HAVE TAKEN SOME PICTURES OF THE HOOD AREA IF THEY ARE NE…

Read full complaint

I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL OF THE 2001 FORD RANGER FOR THE VERY SAME PROBLEM MY TRUCK SEEME TO HAVE. NHTSA#:00V394000. I WAS DRIVING WHEN THE HOOD SNAPPED OPEN. I COULD HAVE VERY EASILY BEEN IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION WHEN MY ENTIRE VIEW WAS BLOCKED WITH THE HOOD. I HAVE TAKEN SOME PICTURES OF THE HOOD AREA IF THEY ARE NEEDED. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT ONE OF THE SCREWS CAME LOOSE AT SOME POINT IN TIME AND WITH THE VIBRATION. THE WIRE FORMED HOOD STRIKER SNAPPED FROM METAL FATIGUE. ANYWAY THIS WHOLE ORDEAL IS COSTING ME ABOUT $1300 NOT MENTIONED THAT I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. MR

NHTSA ODI #767959

Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

I FEEL THAT MY FORD RANGER IS AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH IT SINCE I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW. EVERYTHING STEMMING FROM HOLES IN THE FLOOR TO A FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE AMONG FAULTY POWER WINDOWS AND ELECTRICAL ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION.. I JUST WONDER WHAT IS NEXT. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THIS V…

Read full complaint

I FEEL THAT MY FORD RANGER IS AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH IT SINCE I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW. EVERYTHING STEMMING FROM HOLES IN THE FLOOR TO A FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE AMONG FAULTY POWER WINDOWS AND ELECTRICAL ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION.. I JUST WONDER WHAT IS NEXT. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THIS VEHICLE ESPECIALLY WITH ITS PAST TRACK RECORD. PLEASE SEND ME ANY INFORMATION THAT MAY BE OF HELP TO GET FORD TO BUY MY VEHICLE BACK. MY EMAIL IS JENNETIC@AOL.COM OR SACROXX1@AOL.COM.

NHTSA ODI #740761

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2000
Structure

RUNNING BOARDS ARE UNSAFE. THEY ARE LOCATED TOO FAR UNDER THE VEHICLE, MAKING THEM VERY AWKWARD AND DANGEROUS TO USE, FORCING THE OCCUPANT TO TWIST THEIR ANKLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE, THEY ARE NOT VISIBLE FROM THE INTERIOR, FORCING THE OCCUPANT TO GUESS WHERE THEY ARE, WHICH MAKES THEM USELESS AND DANGE…

Read full complaint

RUNNING BOARDS ARE UNSAFE. THEY ARE LOCATED TOO FAR UNDER THE VEHICLE, MAKING THEM VERY AWKWARD AND DANGEROUS TO USE, FORCING THE OCCUPANT TO TWIST THEIR ANKLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE, THEY ARE NOT VISIBLE FROM THE INTERIOR, FORCING THE OCCUPANT TO GUESS WHERE THEY ARE, WHICH MAKES THEM USELESS AND DANGEROUS. BECAUSE THE STEPS ARE NOT VISIBLE FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE, SMALL CHILDREN CAN EASILY MISS THE STEP AND FALL FROM THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #718693

Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 1999
Structure

WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE BED WAS INSTALLED COCKED, WE NOTICED A SERIOS WATER LEAK A WEEK AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER, HAVE RETURNED THE TRUCK 6 TIMES WITH NO REPAIRS THAT WORKED. FIRST REPAIP ATTEMPT WAS TO APPLY A SEALER, NO GOOD, SECOND WAS SEALER AGAIN, NO GOOD, THIRD,FOURTH, AND FIFTH TRY WAS SILICONE NO GOOD,LAST TRY WAS…

Read full complaint

WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE BED WAS INSTALLED COCKED, WE NOTICED A SERIOS WATER LEAK A WEEK AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER, HAVE RETURNED THE TRUCK 6 TIMES WITH NO REPAIRS THAT WORKED. FIRST REPAIP ATTEMPT WAS TO APPLY A SEALER, NO GOOD, SECOND WAS SEALER AGAIN, NO GOOD, THIRD,FOURTH, AND FIFTH TRY WAS SILICONE NO GOOD,LAST TRY WAS EXPANDABLE FOAM, STILL NO GOOD, IM TIRED OF HAVE A PIECE OF JUNK.

NHTSA ODI #715706

Mileage unknown · May 14, 1999
EquipmentService Brakes, HydraulicStructure

DASHBOARD FELL OUT. MJS

NHTSA ODI #545607

Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 1999
Exterior LightingSeatsStructure

I HAD MADE MY FIRST APPOINTMENT AFTER SIGNING THE PAPERS, PURCHASING THE 99 FORD RANGER. I THOUGHT THESE THINGS CAN BE TAKEN CARE AFTER THE FIRST APPOINTMENT. I HAD GONE BY THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES, AND CAN'T GET ANY OF THESE TAKEN CARE OFF. 5800 MILES LATER, I STILL HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. THE BODY SHOP MANAGER SAID HE ISN'T SE…

Read full complaint

I HAD MADE MY FIRST APPOINTMENT AFTER SIGNING THE PAPERS, PURCHASING THE 99 FORD RANGER. I THOUGHT THESE THINGS CAN BE TAKEN CARE AFTER THE FIRST APPOINTMENT. I HAD GONE BY THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES, AND CAN'T GET ANY OF THESE TAKEN CARE OFF. 5800 MILES LATER, I STILL HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. THE BODY SHOP MANAGER SAID HE ISN'T SET UP LIKE THE MANUFATURER, AND THE SERVICE MANAGER IS FULL OF I'M SORRIES. LARRY KRAMER IS THE ENGINEER REPRESENTATIVE WITH FORD. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE , THEY SAID I AM SORRY WE ALREADY GOT YOUR CHECK FROM THE BANK, AND WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REPLACE THIS TRUCK. LARRY KRAMER WOULD NOT GIVE ME ANY STRAIGHT ANSWERS. HE WAS READY TO FIGHT, I DO'NT KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THIS TRUCK . I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY! *AK

NHTSA ODI #705754

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 1999
Structure

REAR DOORS ON THE EXTENDED CAB 4-DOOR OPTION WERE LOOSE CAUSING WIND NOISE.

NHTSA ODI #543788

Official recalls

4

07V336000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Aug 3, 2007

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

99V204000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Jul 28, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ELECTRIC VEHICLES. THE TRANSAXLE MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH THE PARK DETENT SPRING MISALIGNED. IF THE SPRING IS MISALIGNED, THE PARK MECHANISM MAY NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE PARK MECHANISM DOES NOT ENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE OPERATOR HAS NOT APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL FREE AS IF IN NEUTRAL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSAXLE AND ANY WITH MISALIGNED PARK DETENT SPRINGS WILL BE REPLACED.

99V062001 · Vehicle Speed Control

Mar 30, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1997-1999 RHD EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MAY 29, 1996 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEERS EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC OR 5.0L ENGINES OR 1998-1999 RANGERS EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L, 3.0L FFV/EFI OR 4.0L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM JANUARY 5, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 MUSTANGS EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L, 4.6L 2-VALVE OR 4-VALVE ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1999 F250/F350/F450/F550 (OVER 8,500 LBS.) TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; AND 1999 F-53 STRIPPED CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999. A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE CAN INTERFERE WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SERVO PULLEY AND NOT ALLOW THE THROTTLE TO RETURN TO IDLE WHEN DISENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS USED AND THIS CONDITION IS PRESENT, A STUCK THROTTLE COULD RESULT, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLES. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE REPLACEMENT CABLES ARE NOT AVAILABLE. CUSTOMERS ARE BEING ADVISED NOT TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM UNTIL A REPLACEMENT CAN BE MADE.

98V201000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System

Sep 1, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS WITH 3.0L ENGINE. AN 'O'-RING SEAL IN THE FUEL INJECTION PULSE DAMPER TO FUEL RAIL JOINT COULD BE DAMAGED ALLOWING FUEL LEAKAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE CAN RESULT FROM FUEL LEAKAGE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PULSE DAMPER.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.