Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
100–25K
3425–50K
3450–75K
4475–100K
56100–150K
36150K+
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
What owners actually said
755 reports
152,000 miles · Mar 26, 2011
Structure
1999 FORD RANGER.WAS KEPT UP ON MAINTENANCE AND WASHED DURING WINTER MONTHS,HAD TO REPLACE CROSSMEMBER WHERE GAS TANK BOLTS TO DUE TO RUSTED THROUGH CROSSMEMBER.HAD TO REMOVE SPARE TIRE DUE TO SPARE TIRE CROSSMEMBER ROTTING AWAY.MY EVAP CANISTER FELL OFF AND HAD TO REPLACE IT AND CLAMP IT TO THE BOTTOM OF THE BOX.I JUST FOUND AN…
Read full complaint
1999 FORD RANGER.WAS KEPT UP ON MAINTENANCE AND WASHED DURING WINTER MONTHS,HAD TO REPLACE CROSSMEMBER WHERE GAS TANK BOLTS TO DUE TO RUSTED THROUGH CROSSMEMBER.HAD TO REMOVE SPARE TIRE DUE TO SPARE TIRE CROSSMEMBER ROTTING AWAY.MY EVAP CANISTER FELL OFF AND HAD TO REPLACE IT AND CLAMP IT TO THE BOTTOM OF THE BOX.I JUST FOUND ANOTHER CRACK BY THE GAS TANK AREA AND WILL HAVE REPAIRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10392970
100,000 miles · Mar 5, 2011
Unknown Or Other
EXTENSIVE RUST DAMAGE TO REAR SECTION OF FRAME. SPARE TIRE HOLDER COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT.
NHTSA ODI #10388488
80,000 miles · Feb 23, 2011
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE WOULD HEAR LOUD NOISES FROM THE REAR OF HIS VEHICLE. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND CAUSED THE FUEL TANK TO FRACTURE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAI…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE WOULD HEAR LOUD NOISES FROM THE REAR OF HIS VEHICLE. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND CAUSED THE FUEL TANK TO FRACTURE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. UPDATED 03/31/11*LJ UPDATED 04/05/11*JB
NHTSA ODI #10384206
95,000 miles · Feb 3, 2011
Structure
1999 FORD RANGER 95,000 MILES WOULD NOT PASS PA. STATE INSPECTION BECAUSE SEVERE FRAME ROT AT REAR SPRING HANGERS AND FRAME CROSSMEMBER ROT ABOVE REAR OF GAS TANK AND CROSSMEMBER ROT AT REAR OF FRAME. CROSSMEMBER ABOVE TANK AS REPLACED WITH A USED ONE BECAUSE FORD DOES NOT SELL NEW ONES. THE REST OF THE FRAME ROT WAS PLATED AND…
Read full complaint
1999 FORD RANGER 95,000 MILES WOULD NOT PASS PA. STATE INSPECTION BECAUSE SEVERE FRAME ROT AT REAR SPRING HANGERS AND FRAME CROSSMEMBER ROT ABOVE REAR OF GAS TANK AND CROSSMEMBER ROT AT REAR OF FRAME. CROSSMEMBER ABOVE TANK AS REPLACED WITH A USED ONE BECAUSE FORD DOES NOT SELL NEW ONES. THE REST OF THE FRAME ROT WAS PLATED AND WELDED. THE TRUCK WILL NEED MORE FRAME ROT REPAIR FOR NEXT STATE INSPECTION. FORD SHOULD BUY THESE TRUCKS BACK LIKE TOYOTA DID. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10380131
124,279 miles · Jan 28, 2011
StructureSuspension
THE SHACKLE ON THE LEFT REAR SPRING TOTALLY BROKE OFF OF VEHICLE. THE SHACKLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE IS ALMOST TOTALLY DETACHED. THERE IS NO WAY TO ATTACH NEW SHACKLES BECAUSE THE TRUCK FRAME IS TOTALLY ROTTED AWAY. ALSO MUCH TO MY AMAZEMENT THE SPARE TIRE WHICH WAS SUSPENDED UNDERNEATH THE PICKUP BED IS GONE. WHERE IT WAS ATTACHED I…
Read full complaint
THE SHACKLE ON THE LEFT REAR SPRING TOTALLY BROKE OFF OF VEHICLE. THE SHACKLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE IS ALMOST TOTALLY DETACHED. THERE IS NO WAY TO ATTACH NEW SHACKLES BECAUSE THE TRUCK FRAME IS TOTALLY ROTTED AWAY. ALSO MUCH TO MY AMAZEMENT THE SPARE TIRE WHICH WAS SUSPENDED UNDERNEATH THE PICKUP BED IS GONE. WHERE IT WAS ATTACHED IS ALL ROTTED AWAY SO AT SOME POINT IT JUST FELL OFF WHEN WE WERE DRIVING, DON'T KNOW WHERE OR WHEN. TODAY I TALKED TO THE SERVICE DEPT OF THE FORD DEALER WHERE THE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED AND FORD IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. THEY SAID WE HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH SHACKLES ALL THE TIME. THEY RUST OUT. MY MECHANIC, WHO DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM SAID HE SEE THIS A LOT ON ALL MODELS OF FORDS PICKUPS. MY BROTHER IN LAW HAS A TOYOTA TACOMA PICKUP WHICH JUST FAILED A SAFETY INSPECTION BECAUSE OF A ROTTED FRAME. TOYOTA IS REPLACING HIS FRAME FREE OF CHARGE. I FEEL THAT IS WHAT FORD SHOULD BE FORCED TO DO. I THANK GOD THE OTHER SHACKLE DIDN'T GIVE WAY WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAVE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #10380361
90,000 miles · Dec 6, 2010
StructureSuspension
REAR SPRING SHACKLES AND REAR SPRING HANGERS RUSTED OUT ALLOWING REAR OF SPRING TO BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. LOSS OF REAR SUSPENSION STABILITY LOSS OF CONTROL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10369280
121,000 miles · Nov 16, 2010
Parking BrakeCrash
1999 FORD RANGER....LEFT REAR TIRE BLOW OUT ON FREEWAY...WHEN TIRE EXPLODED IT LIFTED THE REAR OF THE TRUCK UP AND IT STARTED TO SPIN COUNTER CLOCKWISE WHEN I TRIED TO KEEP IT STRAIGHT BY TURNING TO THE RIGHT IT CHANGED LANES IMMEDIATELY AND I WAS IN FRONT OF 2 SEMI TRUCKS I WENT UNDER ONE OF THEM WITH THE BED/REAR OF TRUCK. I L…
Read full complaint
1999 FORD RANGER....LEFT REAR TIRE BLOW OUT ON FREEWAY...WHEN TIRE EXPLODED IT LIFTED THE REAR OF THE TRUCK UP AND IT STARTED TO SPIN COUNTER CLOCKWISE WHEN I TRIED TO KEEP IT STRAIGHT BY TURNING TO THE RIGHT IT CHANGED LANES IMMEDIATELY AND I WAS IN FRONT OF 2 SEMI TRUCKS I WENT UNDER ONE OF THEM WITH THE BED/REAR OF TRUCK. I LATER LEARNED THE TIRE HAD ALSO PULLED THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE OUT OF THE BACKING PLATE CAUSING THE LEFT WHEEL TO LOCK COMPLETELY...THE PARK BRAKE CABLES NEED ENCLOSED SOMEHOW SO THE TIRE CANNOT APPLY THE BRAKES.....THE REAR OF THE TRUCK ISN'T HEAVY ENOUGH DURING A BLOW OUT TO KEEP THE REAR END DOWN..........I HAD SEEN THIS HAPPEN TO A FORD EXPLORER WHERE THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW AND IT LIFTED UP 1 TO 2 FEET TURNED SIDEWAYS CHANGED LANES AND WAS HIT BY A CAR T-BONING IT HARD.......IF NITROGEN WAS USED INSTEAD OF AIR THEY MAY NOT EXPLODE LIKE THEY DO......MY TIRES WERE GOOD CONDITION FROM PEP BOYS BOUGHT BY MYSELF..........I DIDN'T EXPECT TO SURVIVE THIS ACCIDENT.....SOME PEOPLE WILL NOT!!!!!!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10365899
89,000 miles · Oct 2, 2010
Structure
NO ACCIDENT. I HAVE A 1999 FORD RANGER THAT WAS MAKING STRANGE NOISES FROM THE BED. MY HUSBAND AND BROTHER-IN-LAW INVESTIGATED AND ONE JUMPED ON THE BED WHILE THE OTHER LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK. HE NOTICED THAT THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH ON ONE SIDE AND ALMOST ALL THE WAY THROUGH ON THE OTHER SIDE. THAT WAS TWO YEA…
Read full complaint
NO ACCIDENT. I HAVE A 1999 FORD RANGER THAT WAS MAKING STRANGE NOISES FROM THE BED. MY HUSBAND AND BROTHER-IN-LAW INVESTIGATED AND ONE JUMPED ON THE BED WHILE THE OTHER LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK. HE NOTICED THAT THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH ON ONE SIDE AND ALMOST ALL THE WAY THROUGH ON THE OTHER SIDE. THAT WAS TWO YEARS AGO AND THE TRUCK REMAINS PARKED IN THE SIDE YARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10358818
86,000 miles · Sep 1, 2010
Structure
1. NORMAL DRIVING. THE REAR OF THE FRAME FROM BEFORE THE REAR SHACKLE TO THE BUMPER IS ROTTED. 2. THE FRAME IS ROTTED AND NOW IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS BEING COMPROMISED. 3. I HAVE HAD THE FRAME REPAIRED AT A SHOP, THE REST OF THE BODY HAS NO RUST ON IT AT ALL, THE ENGINE RUNS GREAT, INTERIOR HAS HELD…
Read full complaint
1. NORMAL DRIVING. THE REAR OF THE FRAME FROM BEFORE THE REAR SHACKLE TO THE BUMPER IS ROTTED. 2. THE FRAME IS ROTTED AND NOW IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS BEING COMPROMISED. 3. I HAVE HAD THE FRAME REPAIRED AT A SHOP, THE REST OF THE BODY HAS NO RUST ON IT AT ALL, THE ENGINE RUNS GREAT, INTERIOR HAS HELD UP NICE, BUT THE FRAME ROTTED OUT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10353229
100,000 miles · Aug 10, 2010
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF RUST ON THE FRAME UNDERNEATH THE FRONT END. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
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.
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.
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.
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.
1999 Ford Ranger Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration