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
Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2002
Air BagsInjury
OFF/ON SWITCH LIGHT OF PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF WHEN AIRBAG SWITCH IS IN OFF POSITION. DASH LIGHT OF AIRBAG IS FLASHING, IN A SEQUENCE 2 FLASHES, 7 FLASHES, AND REPEATS 5 TIMES, THEN STAYS ON. DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED VEHICLE. *AK THE DEALER FOUND THE PROBELM TO BE A WIRING LOOM THAT FAILED OR SHORTED OUT. CONSUMER WAS INJUR…
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OFF/ON SWITCH LIGHT OF PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF WHEN AIRBAG SWITCH IS IN OFF POSITION. DASH LIGHT OF AIRBAG IS FLASHING, IN A SEQUENCE 2 FLASHES, 7 FLASHES, AND REPEATS 5 TIMES, THEN STAYS ON. DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED VEHICLE. *AK THE DEALER FOUND THE PROBELM TO BE A WIRING LOOM THAT FAILED OR SHORTED OUT. CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *MJ
NHTSA ODI #8008733
Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2002
Tires
FOR 3 DAYS IN A ROW I HAVE HAD ALL 4 TIRES AND THE SPARE TIRES, MAKING THAT 5 TIRES ALL TOGETHER DISINTEGRATE. THESE WERE THE WILDERNESS HT SIZE 14 FROM FIRESTONE. NEITHER FORD NOR FIRESTONE WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE. THE STEEL BELTS HAVE COMPLETELY COME THROUGH THE TIRE AND I HAVE CRACKS AND GOUGES IN ALL 5 TIRES. NOONE WANTS …
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FOR 3 DAYS IN A ROW I HAVE HAD ALL 4 TIRES AND THE SPARE TIRES, MAKING THAT 5 TIRES ALL TOGETHER DISINTEGRATE. THESE WERE THE WILDERNESS HT SIZE 14 FROM FIRESTONE. NEITHER FORD NOR FIRESTONE WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE. THE STEEL BELTS HAVE COMPLETELY COME THROUGH THE TIRE AND I HAVE CRACKS AND GOUGES IN ALL 5 TIRES. NOONE WANTS TO REPLACE THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE SIZE OF THE TIRE HAS TO DO WITH IT. OBVIOUSLY THE WAY THE TIRE IS MADE IS THE PROBLEM. IF THEY HAVE TO RECALL ANY OF THEM THAN OBVIOUSLY THE PROBLEM IS WITH FIRESTONE. THEY SHOULD STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY INSTEAD OF TRYING TO BLAME THE CONSUMER FOR THEIR FAILURES.
NHTSA ODI #761094
Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2002
Air BagsCrashInjury
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #761017
Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2002
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON, THERE ARE CODES, THE SPEEDOMETER FIRST STOPPED WORKING 0-30MPH, THEN 0-45, NOW 0-65. I HAVE TALKED WITH OTHERS WITH THE SIMILAR PROBLEM. NLM
NHTSA ODI #760799
Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2002
Visibility
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I'VE HAD A SPORADIC FAILURE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE FIX PROVIDED 12/01 ONLY LASTED 3 MONTHS PAST THE 1 YEAR REPAIR WARRENTY. FORD RANGERS ARE NOT LISTED WITHE THE RECALL OF OTHER FORD WIPER FAILURES. I THINK THEY SHOULD BE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #760746
Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2002
Air BagsCrashInjury
DURING A HEAD ON COLLISION AT 45 MPH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLPOY, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURIES.*AK AIRBAG IS UNDER 5 YEAR / 50,000 MILE WARRANTY. *TT
NHTSA ODI #8007450
Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2002
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE SWERVES OR PULLS TO THE LEFT OVER ROAD. MORE SPEED THE WORSE IT GETS. *AK VEHICLE ORIGINALLY BROUGHT IN DEALER FOR DOG TRACKING, DEALER REPLACED REAR SPRINGS AND BUSHINGS, BUT CONSUMER STATES DOG TRACKING STILL EXISTS, DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING FURTHER AND STATES THAT VEHICLE IS WELL WITHIN SPECS. *T…
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WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE SWERVES OR PULLS TO THE LEFT OVER ROAD. MORE SPEED THE WORSE IT GETS. *AK VEHICLE ORIGINALLY BROUGHT IN DEALER FOR DOG TRACKING, DEALER REPLACED REAR SPRINGS AND BUSHINGS, BUT CONSUMER STATES DOG TRACKING STILL EXISTS, DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING FURTHER AND STATES THAT VEHICLE IS WELL WITHIN SPECS. *TT
NHTSA ODI #8006790
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2002
Power Train
WHEN COMING TO A STOP VEHICLE WILL JERK. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON A REAR DRIVESHAFT.
NHTSA ODI #8005847
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2002
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND WHEN MAKING A CERTAIN STOP OR TURING THERE IS A CLUCKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH OF VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8005171
Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2002
Equipment
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING, SPARE TIRE UNLATCHED, AND OR WIRE RUSTED, RESULTING IN RELEASE OF SPARE TIRE. THERE WAS A METAL WIRE LOCKING TIRE IN PLACE.*AK *TT
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