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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

Air Bags complaints

79 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 9, 2018
Air Bags

"TAKATA RECALL" WE CONTINUE TO RECEIVE NOTICE THAT AIR BAGS NEED REPLACEMENT. HAVE BEEN TOLD WE ARE ON WAITING LIST AND THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON AND WHEN THEY COME IN WE WILL BE NOTIFIED. AS OF YET THIS HAS NOT HAPENED. THIS WEEK NOTICE IN THE NEWS AND ON WEB SITES OF FORD AND TAKATA AND YOUR SITE SUGGESTS THAT THESE…

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"TAKATA RECALL" WE CONTINUE TO RECEIVE NOTICE THAT AIR BAGS NEED REPLACEMENT. HAVE BEEN TOLD WE ARE ON WAITING LIST AND THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON AND WHEN THEY COME IN WE WILL BE NOTIFIED. AS OF YET THIS HAS NOT HAPENED. THIS WEEK NOTICE IN THE NEWS AND ON WEB SITES OF FORD AND TAKATA AND YOUR SITE SUGGESTS THAT THESE VEHICLES NOT BE DRIVEN. WHAT ARE WE TO DO? WE HAVE CONTINUED TO TAKE ARE VEHICLES INTO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO KEEP THEM MAINTAINED AND IN GOOD WORKING ORDER, WE ARE GIVEN NO SOLUTION OF A REPLACEMENT OR OPTION OF DEACTIVATION OF THE DEVICE UNTIL A REPLACEMENT IS AVAILABLE AND NOT EVEN AN OPTION FOR PURCHASE OF A REPLACEMENT. PLEASE HELP ALL OUR VEHICLES ARE FORDS ALL ON RECALL WE SHOULD NOT BE FORCED TO DRIVE ACTIVATED BOMBS

NHTSA ODI #11092754

165,000 miles · Dec 10, 2016
Air Bags

THE AIR BAG DISCHARGED WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AT 45 MPH. I HEARD A HISSING SOUND AS A WHITE POWDERY SUBSTANCE CAME OUT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WAS NO COLLISION. THE BAG DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON.I WROTE FORD 3 TIMES. EACH TIME I WAS SENT A LETTER STATING THAT THERE WAS A COLLISION. I WROTE BACK , NO …

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THE AIR BAG DISCHARGED WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AT 45 MPH. I HEARD A HISSING SOUND AS A WHITE POWDERY SUBSTANCE CAME OUT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WAS NO COLLISION. THE BAG DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON.I WROTE FORD 3 TIMES. EACH TIME I WAS SENT A LETTER STATING THAT THERE WAS A COLLISION. I WROTE BACK , NO COLLISION. THEY HAD ME SEND THEM PICTURES OF THE ENTIRE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. NO DAMAGE ANY WHERE. THEY SAID IT WAS OFF WARRANTY. I SAY IT WAS DEFECTIVE. IT DISCHARGED WITHOUT REASON AND STILL DIDN'T WORK CORRECTLY THANK GOD.AN AIR BAG SHOULD BE WARRANTED FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR. THEY WERE NO HELP AT ALL WITH THIS SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. CAN YOU HELP ME?

NHTSA ODI #10934461

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2016
Air Bags

WEBSITE SAY 99 FORD RANGERS ARE UNDER FORD AIRBAG RECALL. PER NHTSA RECALL INFO IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO JAN 1, 99 OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MANUFACTURER FOR ADDITIONAL RECALL INFO. MY CA REGISTRATION SAY DATE SOLD 00/001999. FORD WEBSITE BLOCKS ACCESS TO AIRBAG RECALL DATA. PLS ADVISE ME HOW TO PROCEED AT FRANK.DENGLER.CTR@NAVY.MIL. T…

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WEBSITE SAY 99 FORD RANGERS ARE UNDER FORD AIRBAG RECALL. PER NHTSA RECALL INFO IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO JAN 1, 99 OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MANUFACTURER FOR ADDITIONAL RECALL INFO. MY CA REGISTRATION SAY DATE SOLD 00/001999. FORD WEBSITE BLOCKS ACCESS TO AIRBAG RECALL DATA. PLS ADVISE ME HOW TO PROCEED AT FRANK.DENGLER.CTR@NAVY.MIL. THANKS!

NHTSA ODI #10914140

234,504 miles · Jul 13, 2016
Air BagsWheels

TAKATA RECALL FOR PRODUCE A 1999 MODEL 4WD PICK UP LAST NOVEMBER I WENT TO LOOK AT IT HERE WERE NO STICKERS ABOUT SOLD AS IS BUT REGARDLES I FEEL IT IS FORD CORPORATIN TO SELL A SFE VEHICLE BY LAW ,, I DISCOVERED THE TIRES WERE THE WRONG SIZE ON THE VEHICLE WHEN I QUESTION THEM THEY SAID IT THE WAY TEY RE…

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TAKATA RECALL FOR PRODUCE A 1999 MODEL 4WD PICK UP LAST NOVEMBER I WENT TO LOOK AT IT HERE WERE NO STICKERS ABOUT SOLD AS IS BUT REGARDLES I FEEL IT IS FORD CORPORATIN TO SELL A SFE VEHICLE BY LAW ,, I DISCOVERED THE TIRES WERE THE WRONG SIZE ON THE VEHICLE WHEN I QUESTION THEM THEY SAID IT THE WAY TEY RECIVED IT AND REFUSED TO GO ANY FURTHER THE REQUIRED TIRES FOR THIS TRUCK STATE THERE SUPPOSED TO BE 245/75/16 FOR HAD TIRE ON THE TRUCK THAT ARE THE WRONG SIZE 215 65 15 WHICH MAKE HANDLING THE VEHICLE HARD IN CORNERS AND CREATED A ROLLOVER SITUATION TIRES ARE UNDER RECALL AND FORD WONT HELP ON THIS MATTER I AM ASKING FOR ALMOST A YR NOW THAT SOME ONE MAKE FORD PUT ON THE PROPER TIRES AT THERE COST BECAUSE OF THERE LIES AND DISHONESTY,, ALSO THEY SOLD THE VEHICLE WITH BAD BALL JOINTS THAT BROKE A MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE SO I BORROWED THE MONEY AND GOT THEM REPAIRED AT MY OWN EXPENSE THE ENGIN HAS A TICKING NOISE IN IT NO ONE CAN FIND ,, FORD OF COOKVILLE TN IS JUST DISHONEST I WILLNEVER DEAL WITH THEM EVER AGAIN IM JUST TRYING TO MAKE THE 1999 FORD RANGER 4WD WITH A 4.0 ENGINE SAFE SO MY CHILDREN CAN BE SAFE THIS YR CAN U HELP WITH ANY OF THESE MATTERS? IF THEY JUST REPLACE TIES I CAN HANDLE THE REST OF THE ISSUES PLEASE

NHTSA ODI #10884704

169,000 miles · Feb 5, 2016
Air BagsCrash

TAKATA RECALL. I HAD A ACCIDENT WHERE I HIT ANOTHER CAR WITH THE FRONT LEFT BUMPER OF MY TRUCK. THE LEFT QUARTER PANEL AND FRONT FENDER WERE DESTROYED, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY OR INFLATE.

NHTSA ODI #10824584

130,000 miles · Sep 14, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOST CAUSING A CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND A SPEED BUMP. IN ADDITION, THE SPEED BUMP CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BECOME AIRBORNE AND CRASH INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOST CAUSING A CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND A SPEED BUMP. IN ADDITION, THE SPEED BUMP CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BECOME AIRBORNE AND CRASH INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SIX CRACKED RIBS, A PUNCTURED LUNG, A COLLAPSED LUNG, A FRACTURED NECK, AND SEVERAL BRUISES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10763499

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

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

127,000 miles · Aug 22, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 50-55 MPH ON A BRIDGE HE CRASHED INTO THE WALL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER BROKE HIS NOSE. THE FRONT PASSENGER CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD AND SUFFERED A CONCUSSION. BOTH PASSENGERS WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT. THE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 50-55 MPH ON A BRIDGE HE CRASHED INTO THE WALL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER BROKE HIS NOSE. THE FRONT PASSENGER CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD AND SUFFERED A CONCUSSION. BOTH PASSENGERS WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 127,000.

NHTSA ODI #10200508

47,000 miles · Jun 3, 2005
Air BagsSteering

DT: CONSUMER STATES: PINCH BOLT THAT HOLDS STEERING SHAFT TOGETHER FELL OUT OR BROKE, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN WITHOUT HAPPENING OR BROKE. TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD, THEY SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING. CURRENTLY, SENSOR LIGHT WAS ON FOR AIR BAG, AND THE CLOCK SPRING BROKE. FORD WILL CHARGE CONSUMER FOR REPAIRS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10124063

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.