IllustrationWHILE DRIVING TRUCK CUTS OFF. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, TRUCK STARTS BACK UP. PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. A COMPUTER CHIP WAS ORDERED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK *ML
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Ranger years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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
Electrical System complaints
39 reportsELECTRICAL WIRE BURNED BY THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING 4X4 SYSTEM, OVERDRIVE AND BACK LIGHTS NOT TO WORK, WIRE REPLACED NOW ALL SYSTEMS WORKING FINE. *ET
WITHIN A 2 MONTH PERIOD I HAVE EXPERIENCED 3 SEPARATE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. 1ST INCIDENT WAS A SURGING WHEN DEFROST WAS ON. DEALER REPLACED ALL SPARK PLUG WIRES AND SAID THAT IS WAS ARCING AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE OR WORSE. 2ND WAS THE GAS GAUGE WAS NOT WORKING. DEALER IS REPLACING FUEL SENDER. 3RD WAS 4X4 AND OVERDRIVE N…
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WITHIN A 2 MONTH PERIOD I HAVE EXPERIENCED 3 SEPARATE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. 1ST INCIDENT WAS A SURGING WHEN DEFROST WAS ON. DEALER REPLACED ALL SPARK PLUG WIRES AND SAID THAT IS WAS ARCING AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE OR WORSE. 2ND WAS THE GAS GAUGE WAS NOT WORKING. DEALER IS REPLACING FUEL SENDER. 3RD WAS 4X4 AND OVERDRIVE NOT WORKING. DEALER INITIALLY REPLACED BLOWN FUSE, BUT 2 DAYS LATER WAS BLOWN AGAIN AND DEALER IS CURRENTLY REPLACING "WIRING" IN STEERING COLUMN THAT WAS SHORTING. TRUCK IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERS. VERY UNSATISFIED!!! VERY NERVOUS ABOUT THE CONTINUING ELECTICAL PROBLEMS AND INCOMPLETE EXPLANATIONS FROM THE DEALER.*AK
ENGINE KNOCK DURING ACCELERATION, TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. DEALER REPLACED COIL. RAN FINE UNTIL USED REGULAR UNLEADED GAS IGNITION KNOCK CAME BACK
THE BRAKES MAKING LOTS OF NOISE/THE TRANY LEAKES FLUID/ AND ( THE TURN LIGHTS COME ON WHEN THEY WANT TO.)
AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 5 MILES, VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AND ONCE CONSUMER SAT IN VEHICLE FOR 2MINUTES BEFORE SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF, ONCE OFF, IGNITION WAS TURNED TO ACCESSORIES, AND THERE WAS A POPPING SOUND FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN VEHICLE WAS QUICKLY EXITED, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND IT SUDDENLY BURST INT…
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AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 5 MILES, VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AND ONCE CONSUMER SAT IN VEHICLE FOR 2MINUTES BEFORE SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF, ONCE OFF, IGNITION WAS TURNED TO ACCESSORIES, AND THERE WAS A POPPING SOUND FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN VEHICLE WAS QUICKLY EXITED, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND IT SUDDENLY BURST INTO FLAMES, BURNING THE VEHICLE UP, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT THE FIRE OUT. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE THE OIL FILTER, I APPARENTLY BUMPED A WIRE ON THE STARTER CAUSING IT TO ENGAGE. LUCKY THE PARKING BRAKE HELD LETTING IT MOVE ONLY A SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE DISTROYING THE STARTER. I RECEIVED SEVERAL INJURIES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO GET FREE OF THE VEHICLE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. IN INSPECTING THE INCIDENT…
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WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE THE OIL FILTER, I APPARENTLY BUMPED A WIRE ON THE STARTER CAUSING IT TO ENGAGE. LUCKY THE PARKING BRAKE HELD LETTING IT MOVE ONLY A SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE DISTROYING THE STARTER. I RECEIVED SEVERAL INJURIES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO GET FREE OF THE VEHICLE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. IN INSPECTING THE INCIDENT AFTERWARDS I FOUND THAT BY MOVING THE WIRE LESS THAN TEN THOUSANDS OF AN INCH THE STARTER CAN BE ENGAGED WITH THE IGNITION OFF. IF OIL HAD BEEN PRESENT AT THE TIME, A MAJOR FIRE COULD HAVE OCCURRED TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE WAS $240 FOR LABOR AND NEW STARTED. THE DEALER HAS AGREED TO CONTACT THE FORD SERVICE AGENT, BUT NO ASSURANCE THAT IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. IF NOTHING ELSE PLEASE WARN OTHER OWNERS OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GET KILLED. THANK YOU. *AK
THE CIRCUIT BREAKER THAT CONTROLS THE AIR FLOW INTO THE ENGINE HAS A MALFUNCTION WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO RUN PRIME, DUMPING GAS ONTO THE CATALAYTIC CONVERTER. THIS IS CAUSING OVERHEATING OF THE CONVERTER, AND COULD ALSO LEAD TO AN FIRE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
WHENEVER CONSUMER TRIES TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE OR TOUCH THE VEHICLE, HE WILL GET AN ELECTRICAL SHOCK. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING CAN HEAR A KNOCKING AND CLICKING NOISE, AND WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE THE NOISE GETS VERY LOUD. *AK
Official recalls
407V336000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.