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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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

45 reports
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86,000 miles · Aug 18, 2016
Engine And Engine Cooling

THIS IS MY MOTHERS PICKUP BUT SHE ASKED ME TO REPORT IT AND TRY TO FIND AN ANSWER. SHE HAS HAD THE PICKUP FOR YEARS (SHE BOUGHT IT IN 2003)...SHE BOUGHT IT FROM A NEIGHBOR. AFTER A FEW YEARS SHE STARTED HAVING A PROBLEM THAT NO ONE (NOT EVEN THE DEALERSHIP) HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIX. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY, MANY TIMES. SOMETIMES WHEN…

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THIS IS MY MOTHERS PICKUP BUT SHE ASKED ME TO REPORT IT AND TRY TO FIND AN ANSWER. SHE HAS HAD THE PICKUP FOR YEARS (SHE BOUGHT IT IN 2003)...SHE BOUGHT IT FROM A NEIGHBOR. AFTER A FEW YEARS SHE STARTED HAVING A PROBLEM THAT NO ONE (NOT EVEN THE DEALERSHIP) HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIX. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY, MANY TIMES. SOMETIMES WHEN SHE GOES TO STOP, THE TRUCK WILL SUDDENLY REV UP AND TRY TO TAKE OFF. SEVERAL TIMES THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS (IT HAS JUMPED OUT INTO TRAFFIC, ALMOST REAR ENDED OTHER CARS, ETC). I'VE CONTACTED THE FORD COMPANY AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP. WE DONE THAT WITH NOTHING RESOLVED. SEVERAL PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND THEY HAVE UPDATED THE COMPUTER, BUT IT STILL DOES IT. THIS IS MY MOM'S ONLY VEHICLE AND SHE IS SCARED TO DRIVE IT, BUT CAN'T SELL IT WITH THIS KIND OF PROBLEM. WE HAVE HAD THE SENSOR REPLACED, THROTTLE CABLE REPLACED, CRUISE CONTROL CABLE CHECKED, CHECKED FOR A VACUUM LEAK. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10896913

189,341 miles · Dec 11, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringSuspension

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT. AFTER A SHORT WHILE I COULD NOT MANAGE THE STEERING. WHEN I PULLED OVER IN THE BRAKEDOWN LANE I NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS TOED IN. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK CAME WE NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS CRACKED AND ROTTED AT BOTH WHEEL MOUNTS AND THE …

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT. AFTER A SHORT WHILE I COULD NOT MANAGE THE STEERING. WHEN I PULLED OVER IN THE BRAKEDOWN LANE I NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS TOED IN. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK CAME WE NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS CRACKED AND ROTTED AT BOTH WHEEL MOUNTS AND THE THE RIGHT FRONT MOUNT WAS THE WORSE. WE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE ALL ROTTED AND THE OVERALL FRONT SECTION OF THE FRAME WAS ROTTED WHICH PREVENTED ANY REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10487952

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingStructureFire

I WAS DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY I-275 NB NOF HOWARD AVENUE TAMPA FLORIDA I HEARD A NOISE TO THE FRONT OF SMALL TRUCK, AFTER THAT I SAW BLACK SMOKE FROM FRONT OF TRUCK I PUT TO CAR A SAFETY PLACE OF THE FREEWAY OF TRUCK IS TURN OFF ITSELF. I HAVE NOT TIME TAKE OFF OF KEYS FROM OF TRUCK OF ONLY TIME IS TOOK MY BAGS ,OPEN THE DOOR…

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I WAS DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY I-275 NB NOF HOWARD AVENUE TAMPA FLORIDA I HEARD A NOISE TO THE FRONT OF SMALL TRUCK, AFTER THAT I SAW BLACK SMOKE FROM FRONT OF TRUCK I PUT TO CAR A SAFETY PLACE OF THE FREEWAY OF TRUCK IS TURN OFF ITSELF. I HAVE NOT TIME TAKE OFF OF KEYS FROM OF TRUCK OF ONLY TIME IS TOOK MY BAGS ,OPEN THE DOOR AND GET OUT THE TRUCK AND ALL CONTENTS WERE BURNED IN THE FIRE. ADDITIONAL I HAVE THE TRUCK FOR 4 MONTHS AGO ONLY AND I NEED TO HELP, BECAUSE I HAVE INSURANCE BUT ONLY LIABILITY COVERAGE AND NO FULL COVER, IN WHICH I HAVE TO CONTINUE TO PAY TO THE DEALER $6,000 DOLLARS FROM MY POCKET. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION FOR MY CASE. BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH TO MY GOD A STILL WITH LIVE AND MY BOYFRIEND. THANK YOU AGAIN. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10465542

167,810 miles · Mar 2, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

1. NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE. MAINTENANCE STRICTLY ADHERED TO. ALL TSB AND FACTORY SERVICE MANUALS FOLLOWED. 2. CAMSHAFT SYCRONIZER ON 1999 FORD RANGER 3.0L. ENGINE SEIZED UP. 167810 MILES. 3. ENGINE REPLACEMENT WAS PERFORMED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10315556

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

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

123,000 miles · Oct 23, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

1999 FORD RANGER WITH 3 LITER ENGINE CAMSHAFT POSITION SYNCHRONIZER FAILED CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF ENGINE. GEAR BROKE CAUSING FAILURE OF OIL PUMP SEIZING ENGINE WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10246530

Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN ENGINE INPUT CIRCUIT AND FUEL COMPENSATION SENSOR CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION. THE PURCHASE DATE AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN ENGINE INPUT CIRCUIT AND FUEL COMPENSATION SENSOR CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION. THE PURCHASE DATE AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ODI #10212324

89,000 miles · Nov 19, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE METAL TUBES FOR THE ENGINE CHOKE HEATER, RUSTED OUT RIGHT ABOVE THE ALUMINUM HEAD. WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM, EXCEPT TO REPLACE THE HEAD WITH A NEW ONE. THE HEAD WILL COST AT LEAST $250. MY TRUCK IS A 1999 FORD RANGER XLT WITH A 3.0L. WAS TOLD THE ONLY WAY THIS TUBE WOULD BREAK WAS FROM A CRASH, O…

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THE METAL TUBES FOR THE ENGINE CHOKE HEATER, RUSTED OUT RIGHT ABOVE THE ALUMINUM HEAD. WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM, EXCEPT TO REPLACE THE HEAD WITH A NEW ONE. THE HEAD WILL COST AT LEAST $250. MY TRUCK IS A 1999 FORD RANGER XLT WITH A 3.0L. WAS TOLD THE ONLY WAY THIS TUBE WOULD BREAK WAS FROM A CRASH, OR FROM RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE. I KNOW MY TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN IN A CRASH, KIND OF ODD THAT ONLY THE TUBE HAS RUSTED AND NOT MORE ENGINE PARTS. ANYONE ELSE HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10209495

48,000 miles · Sep 28, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND REPLACED THE ENGINE. THE SECOND ENGINE ALSO FAILED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ODI #10204391

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.