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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

What owners actually said

755 reports
16,000 miles · Oct 21, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingSeatsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. A FEW YEARS AFTER THE VEHCILE WAS PURCHASED, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SENSOR AT THE COST OF $800.00. THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE DRIVERS SEAT WAS NOT LEVELED WITH THE STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE THE SEAT DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT PADDIN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. A FEW YEARS AFTER THE VEHCILE WAS PURCHASED, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SENSOR AT THE COST OF $800.00. THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE DRIVERS SEAT WAS NOT LEVELED WITH THE STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE THE SEAT DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT PADDING. AS A CONSEQUENCE HE COULD NOT PROPERLY VIEW THE ROAD-WAY, WHICH CAUSED A VEHICLE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE POLICE REPORT AND THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 220,000.

NHTSA ODI #10289218

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2009
Visibility

(1) THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL TURN ON BY THEMSELVES WHILE I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN I HAVE NOT ACTIVATED THEM. I MAY BE TRAVELING AT 20 TO 65 MPH, SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT, OR TURNING AT AN INTERSECTION OR CORNER, AND THE WIPERS JUST COME ON BY THEMSELVES. (2) THIS EVENT HAS OCCURRED 2 - 3 TIMES PER WEEK SINCE 20…

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(1) THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL TURN ON BY THEMSELVES WHILE I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN I HAVE NOT ACTIVATED THEM. I MAY BE TRAVELING AT 20 TO 65 MPH, SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT, OR TURNING AT AN INTERSECTION OR CORNER, AND THE WIPERS JUST COME ON BY THEMSELVES. (2) THIS EVENT HAS OCCURRED 2 - 3 TIMES PER WEEK SINCE 2007 AND THE CONSEQUENCE IS THAT BOTH WIPERS SCRAPE ACROSS A DRY WINDSHIELD LEAVING TRACKS ON THE WINDSHIELD. AS I ONLY HAVE APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THESE INCIDENTS BEGAN WHEN I ONLY HAD APPROXIMATELY 75,000 TO 80,000 MILES ON IT. (3) TO STOP THE WIPERS, I PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND THAN RESTART THE VEHICLE--THIS DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK. THE OTHER IS TO PUT THE WIPERS ON FAST SPEED FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS AND TURN THE WIPERS OFF. AND THIS "SOLUTION" DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK. AT TIMES DURING RAIN, WHEN I FIRST TURN THE WIPERS ON, THEY WILL NOT TURN ON AT ALL. I TURN THE WIPER KNOB OFF AND THAN PUT ON HIGH SPEED THAN BACK THE SPEED DOWN TO GET THEM WORKING. A PROFESSIONAL REPAIR HAS NOT BEEN MADE UP TO THIS DATE AS I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10288844

110,000 miles · Oct 14, 2009
Air BagsCrashFire

ON JULY 13, 2009 I WROTE A LETTER TO THE CLAIMS DEPT REGARDING AN INVESTIGATION ON AN AIRBAG FIRE DUE TO AN ACCIDENT ON A 1999 FORD RANGER. I RECEIVED A RESPONSE FORM A STEVE BARDELL ON AUG. 20, 2009 THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS FOR A SPEED CONTROL ACTIVATION SWITCH WHICH WERE OF NO CONCERN TO THE DAMAGE THAT OCCURRED ON OUR…

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ON JULY 13, 2009 I WROTE A LETTER TO THE CLAIMS DEPT REGARDING AN INVESTIGATION ON AN AIRBAG FIRE DUE TO AN ACCIDENT ON A 1999 FORD RANGER. I RECEIVED A RESPONSE FORM A STEVE BARDELL ON AUG. 20, 2009 THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS FOR A SPEED CONTROL ACTIVATION SWITCH WHICH WERE OF NO CONCERN TO THE DAMAGE THAT OCCURRED ON OUR VEHICLE. I RESPONDED OCT. 5, TO PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER FURTHER FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHER CUSTOMERS AND THE FACT THAT THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG DID IN FACT CATCH ON FIRE WITH THE DRIVER BEHIND THE WHEEL AND TO FIND OUT WHAT CAUSED THIS. I SAW A RECALL ON THIS MORNING'S NEWS BUT WHEN I CHECK THE RECALL FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AS STATED, TO FIND OUT WHAT I NEEDED TO DO TO RESPOND TO THIS I NOTICED THAT THIS PARTICULAR YEAR OF VEHICLE WAS NOT LISTED AND DEFINITELY SHOULD BE. PLEASE! HELP ON THIS MATTER. I AM ATTACHING PICTURES AND THE ORIGINAL LETTER FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION ON MY VEHICLE.. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10287332

53,000 miles · May 18, 2009
Structure

FRAME ROT. HAD TO PUT NEW SPRING SHACKLES IN. FOUND THE FRAME ROTTED OUT AT AND AROUND SPARE TIRE. THIS IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND NOT KNOWING THIS PRIOR TO BUYING IT COULD HAVE SAVED ME ALOT OF MONEY AND GRIEF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269290

120,000 miles · Apr 29, 2009
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 55-60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A SNOWBANK. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE POLICE AND AMBUL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 55-60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A SNOWBANK. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGES HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10267219

113,319 miles · Apr 27, 2009
SteeringStructure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF HER VEHICLE WAS ROTTED. SHE NOTICED A NEWS SOURCE STATING THAT THIS WAS A DANGEROUS ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP OTHER THAN THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,319. UPDATED 05/27/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD A PROBLE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF HER VEHICLE WAS ROTTED. SHE NOTICED A NEWS SOURCE STATING THAT THIS WAS A DANGEROUS ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP OTHER THAN THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,319. UPDATED 05/27/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING. UPDATED 05/28/09. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10266822

127,000 miles · Apr 23, 2009
Structure

THE FRAME OF THE 1999 FORD RANGER XLT HAS RUSTED TO THE POINT OF BEING UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FRAME HAS RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE THE REAR SUSPENSION ATTACHMENT POINTS ARE IRREPAIRABLY (SP) DETERIORATED. THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER IS RUSTED TO THE POINT OF HAVING LOST ALL MECHANICAL STRENGTH AND MAY BREAK CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CON…

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THE FRAME OF THE 1999 FORD RANGER XLT HAS RUSTED TO THE POINT OF BEING UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FRAME HAS RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE THE REAR SUSPENSION ATTACHMENT POINTS ARE IRREPAIRABLY (SP) DETERIORATED. THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER IS RUSTED TO THE POINT OF HAVING LOST ALL MECHANICAL STRENGTH AND MAY BREAK CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, OR THE ENGINE/TRANS MAY DROP AND CAUSE THE SHIFT LINKAGE AND OR THE ACCELERATOR TO MOVE WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10266552

94,000 miles · Apr 4, 2009
Electrical SystemFire

1999 FORD RANGER. WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED FOR NO REASON AND MADE SHORTING SOUND WHEN TURN SIGNAL LEVER WAS USED. 2 DAYS LATER WHILE TRAVELING HOME FROM PA. REAR OF TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE AND IN A MATTER OF 3-4 SECONDS WAS A TOTAL LOSS TRAVELING INTO THE CAB AREA. INTERIOR WAS SO BURNT EVEN THE METAL FOR THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DES…

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1999 FORD RANGER. WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED FOR NO REASON AND MADE SHORTING SOUND WHEN TURN SIGNAL LEVER WAS USED. 2 DAYS LATER WHILE TRAVELING HOME FROM PA. REAR OF TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE AND IN A MATTER OF 3-4 SECONDS WAS A TOTAL LOSS TRAVELING INTO THE CAB AREA. INTERIOR WAS SO BURNT EVEN THE METAL FOR THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DESTROYED.I BELIEVE THE WAS A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE WIRING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10264134

50,000 miles · Mar 25, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. FOR THE PAST SEVEN YEARS, THE CONTACT COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR WOULD FLASH ON AND OFF. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE AS WELL. THE CONTACT EVENTUALLY DISCOVERED THAT THE ALUMINUM DPFE VALVE WAS CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR TO FLASH. THE CONT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. FOR THE PAST SEVEN YEARS, THE CONTACT COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR WOULD FLASH ON AND OFF. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE AS WELL. THE CONTACT EVENTUALLY DISCOVERED THAT THE ALUMINUM DPFE VALVE WAS CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR TO FLASH. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE SHE HEARD THAT THE DPFE VALVES WERE RECALLED; HOWEVER, HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT FEELS THIS IS A SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE AND THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 179,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10263041

165,000 miles · Feb 26, 2009
Tires

CABLE ATTACHING SPARE TIRE TO UNDERCARRIAGE OF TRUCK SNAPPED, CAUSING TIRE TO FALL INTO ROAD. I CONTACTED FORD WITH MY CONCERN, WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THIS DEFECT DUE TO MY TRUCK BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10260058

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.