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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

Electrical System complaints

39 reports
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78,000 miles · Jul 6, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TAIL LIGHTS OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD AT NIGHT, THIS COULD POSE A SAFETY HAZARD. OTHER DRIVERS HAVE INDICATED TO ME THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING EVEN THOUGH THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON AND THE LIGHT SWITCH IS IN THE ON POSITION. SPOT CHECKS BY ME SHOW THAT SOMETIMES THEY ARE WORKING AN…

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TAIL LIGHTS OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD AT NIGHT, THIS COULD POSE A SAFETY HAZARD. OTHER DRIVERS HAVE INDICATED TO ME THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING EVEN THOUGH THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON AND THE LIGHT SWITCH IS IN THE ON POSITION. SPOT CHECKS BY ME SHOW THAT SOMETIMES THEY ARE WORKING AND SOMETIMES THEY ARE NOT. SEARCH ENGINE RESULTS INDICATE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10882935

100,000 miles · Apr 24, 2015
Electrical System

GAS GAUGE IS INACCURATE - GAUGE INDICATED ALMOST 1/2 TANK OF GAS WHEN TRUCK RAN OUT OF GAS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10712721

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2011
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

I WAS DRIVEN AND GOING ABOUT 20MPH. AND COME TO A STOP LIGHT I TRIED TO PRESS THE BRAKES THEY WORKED A LITTLE THEN I COULDN'T PRESS DOWN ANYMORE ALMOST REAR ENDED ANOTHER CAR. I CALLED FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AND THE TECH. SAID THE ABS MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACE HE TOLD ME THIS ITEM SHOULD NEVER WENT BAD. I ASKED …

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I WAS DRIVEN AND GOING ABOUT 20MPH. AND COME TO A STOP LIGHT I TRIED TO PRESS THE BRAKES THEY WORKED A LITTLE THEN I COULDN'T PRESS DOWN ANYMORE ALMOST REAR ENDED ANOTHER CAR. I CALLED FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AND THE TECH. SAID THE ABS MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACE HE TOLD ME THIS ITEM SHOULD NEVER WENT BAD. I ASKED A COUPLE OF FRIENDS ABOUT THIS THEY TOLD ME PARTS LIKE THIS SHOULD NEVER GO BAD? I WAS WONDERING IF THIS IS ON THE RECALL LIST BECAUSE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10426704

Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2010
Electrical System

TL* THE CONYTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD SPORTS (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS A BAD CONNECTION THAT COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. THE CONTACT HAD RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE , BUT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED AND PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10335828

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

150,000 miles · Jan 27, 2009
Electrical SystemCrash

STARTING IN 2007 MY 1999 FORD RANGER WOULD NOT GO INTO 4 WHEEL DR.. I WAS ALERTED BECAUSE THE 4-HIGH LIGHT STARTED BLINKING TO WARN OF A PROBLEM. AFTER 8 TRIPS TO3 DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOPS, IT WILL GO INTO 4-HIGH BUT IT ALWAYS SLIPS OUT. IT APPEARS TO BE IRREPAIRABLE. ALSO THE 4-HIGH LIGHT STAYS ON EVEN THOUGH IT HAS DROPPED BACK …

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STARTING IN 2007 MY 1999 FORD RANGER WOULD NOT GO INTO 4 WHEEL DR.. I WAS ALERTED BECAUSE THE 4-HIGH LIGHT STARTED BLINKING TO WARN OF A PROBLEM. AFTER 8 TRIPS TO3 DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOPS, IT WILL GO INTO 4-HIGH BUT IT ALWAYS SLIPS OUT. IT APPEARS TO BE IRREPAIRABLE. ALSO THE 4-HIGH LIGHT STAYS ON EVEN THOUGH IT HAS DROPPED BACK INTO 2 WHEEL DR.. AT 70 M.P.H., ON ICE AND SNOW THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10256547

190,962 miles · Jul 31, 2008
Electrical System

TL *THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. THE STEREO WOULD ACTIVATE INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. IT ALSO GETS SO HOT THAT IT IS MELTING THE PLASTIC SURROUNDING THE STEREO. AS OF JULY 31, 2008 THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 190,962.

NHTSA ODI #10236484

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2007
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED BY A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. HE STATED THAT BRAKE FLUID LEAKS INTO THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH, WHICH COULD CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER WITH THE NUMBERS 05S28. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED BY A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. HE STATED THAT BRAKE FLUID LEAKS INTO THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH, WHICH COULD CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER WITH THE NUMBERS 05S28. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE EXACT NHTSA RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,869.

NHTSA ODI #10199850

56,920 miles · Sep 27, 2006
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE REVVED SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS PLACED IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION IN ORDER TO PREVENT FROM HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE …

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE REVVED SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS PLACED IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION IN ORDER TO PREVENT FROM HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND WAS CAUSED BY FAULTY WIRING CHAFING FROM THE WIRING HARNESS.

NHTSA ODI #10169416

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2005
Electrical System

DOME LIGHTS STAYS ON EVEN WHEN DOOR IS SHUT. TOOK TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES, WOULD NOT REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE. STAYS ON EVEN WHILE DRIVING AND AT NIGHT THIS CAN BE A SERIOUS HAZARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED DOZENS OF TIMES IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. I HAVE TO REMOVE THE FUSE IF I WANT TO DRIVE SAFELY.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10140835

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.