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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

Power Train complaints

67 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2001
Power TrainInjury

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH REAR AXLE BROKEN. IT WAS LIKE RUNNING OVER A SPEED BUMP AT TIME IT WAS HAPPENING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK THE REAR AXLE BROKE WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING CAUSING AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. *YH

NHTSA ODI #883356

Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

I FEEL THAT MY FORD RANGER IS AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH IT SINCE I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW. EVERYTHING STEMMING FROM HOLES IN THE FLOOR TO A FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE AMONG FAULTY POWER WINDOWS AND ELECTRICAL ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION.. I JUST WONDER WHAT IS NEXT. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THIS V…

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I FEEL THAT MY FORD RANGER IS AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH IT SINCE I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW. EVERYTHING STEMMING FROM HOLES IN THE FLOOR TO A FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE AMONG FAULTY POWER WINDOWS AND ELECTRICAL ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION.. I JUST WONDER WHAT IS NEXT. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THIS VEHICLE ESPECIALLY WITH ITS PAST TRACK RECORD. PLEASE SEND ME ANY INFORMATION THAT MAY BE OF HELP TO GET FORD TO BUY MY VEHICLE BACK. MY EMAIL IS JENNETIC@AOL.COM OR SACROXX1@AOL.COM.

NHTSA ODI #740761

Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2001
Power Train

IN COLD WEATHER VEHICLE HAS TO BE PUT IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE TO START, OTHERWISE, VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THIS VEHCILE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *YH

NHTSA ODI #878647

Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2001
Power Train

ON PREVIOUS 1997 FORD RANGER I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SLAVE CYLINDER FORD SAID THAT PROBLEM HAD BEEN FIXED BUT OBVIOUSLY IT HASN'T IN MY NEW TRUCK I HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM IN SPEAKING WITH THE REPAIR MAN HE STTED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AND IT IS ABOUT EVERY 15,000 TO 25,000 MILES WHEN THE SLAVE CYNDER G…

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ON PREVIOUS 1997 FORD RANGER I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SLAVE CYLINDER FORD SAID THAT PROBLEM HAD BEEN FIXED BUT OBVIOUSLY IT HASN'T IN MY NEW TRUCK I HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM IN SPEAKING WITH THE REPAIR MAN HE STTED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AND IT IS ABOUT EVERY 15,000 TO 25,000 MILES WHEN THE SLAVE CYNDER GOES IT IS A TWO DAY JOB COSTING FROM $700 TO $900. FORD IS BURYING THEIR HEADS IN THE SAND. NOW I AM STUCK WHITH THIS PROBLEM WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS? OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH FORD MANUAL TRANSMIN. MANY OF MY FRIENDS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I ALSO HAVE A TRANSFER CASE PROBLEM WITH MY 4X4 IT WON'T GO IN TO FOUR LOW AND WHEN IT DOES I CAN'T BACK THE TRUCK UP NOW IT'S AFFECTING 4 HIGH. IN ADDITION SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH MY RADIO THE VOLUME F VARIOUS AND THE RADIO IT SELF IF YOU SHUT IT OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON IT SOMETIMES DOESN'T TURN BACK ON FOR A GOOD MILE OR TWO AND ONCE I WAS PUTTING MY POWER WINDOW DOWN AND IT SHUT OFF! THIS IS A BRAND NEW TRUCK IT IS ALL HIGHWAY MILE OF SMOOTH RIDING I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO I STUCK PAYING FOR THIS THING TO 2003 AND I CURRENTLY TRYING TO LOOK AT OTHER CARS. MY 1997 TRUCK STILL HAS THE CLUTCH PROBLEM AFTER IT BEEN REPLACED AND ONCE IT WAS IT WAS FINE FOR 11,500 MILES WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ON IT THEY SAID IT WAS FINE WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT IT WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO THEM THEY SAID IT WAS OVER THE 12,000 MILE AND "TOUGH LUCK"! I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN! PLEASE HELP! *AK

NHTSA ODI #739465

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2001
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS LIGHT CAME ON, CAUSING SPEEDOMTER TO FAIL. ALSO, TRANSMISSION/OVERDRIVE LIGHT HAD COME ON, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT AND DOWNSHIFT INTO LOW. *AK

NHTSA ODI #877597

Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2000
Power TrainTiresCrash

ON OCTOBER 4, 2000 MY SON WAS TRAVELING AT 30 MPH ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET WHEN HIS DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TIRE ASSEMBLY CAME OFF SPINDLE CAUSING HIM TO GO OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT A VAN AND A BOAT THAT WERE PARKED IN FRONT OF A RESIDENCE HERE IN MIDLAND, TEXAS. THE POLICE REPORT THAT WAS FILED BACKS UP THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS: WHILE…

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ON OCTOBER 4, 2000 MY SON WAS TRAVELING AT 30 MPH ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET WHEN HIS DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TIRE ASSEMBLY CAME OFF SPINDLE CAUSING HIM TO GO OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT A VAN AND A BOAT THAT WERE PARKED IN FRONT OF A RESIDENCE HERE IN MIDLAND, TEXAS. THE POLICE REPORT THAT WAS FILED BACKS UP THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS: WHILE TRAVELING EAST ON STANOLIND STREET AT 30 MPH, IN THE 4400 BLOCK, THE 1999 FORD RANGER'S DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL DISENGAGED FROM THE SPINDLE CAUSING IT TO PULL LEFT AND ALONG SIDE A PARKED LATE MODEL CHEVY VAN. THE RANGER HAD NO BRAKES, AND SCRAPED ALONG THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE VAN, LEAVING SCRAPE MARKS AND AXLE GREASE, AND TIRE RUBBER RESIDUE ALONG THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE VAN. THE RANGER HIT THE FENDER OF THE VAN AND SINCE DRIVER WAS TRYING TO STEER AWAY FROM THE WRECK, THIS ALLOWED THE FRONT OF THE RANGER TO PULL TO THE RIGHT BACK TOWARDS THE STREET. AT THAT POINT THE ENTIRE "WHEEL ASSEMBLY" CAME OFF AND TRAVELED 4 HOUSES AHEAD OF THE NOW 3-WHEELED RANGER. AFTER THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY EXITED, THE KNUCKLE HIT THE PAVEMENT AND FORCED THE RANGER INTO THE BOAT WHICH WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE VAN. THE BOAT TRAILER WHEELS WERE "CHOCKED" AND THE IMPACT OF THE RANGER LIFTED THE BOAT TRAILER INTO THE DRIVEWAY NEXT DOOR TO WHERE IT WAS PARKED. WHEN THE MIDLAND POLICE ARRIVED,WE ALL STARTED DISCOVERING THE PARTS LYING IN THE STREET WELL BEFORE THE CRASH SITE. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE HUB CAP CAME OFF FIRST AND ROLLED TO THE GRASS ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE (4' NORTH) OF THE VAN. THE AXLE DUST COVER CAME OFF NEXT AND ROLLED TO THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE STREET ( SOUTH), EVEN WITH THE BOAT. THE AXLE BEARING AND SEAL WERE FOUND 20' IN FRONT OF THE VAN SO THEY PROBABLY CAME OUT NEXT. THE AXLE NUT AND KEEPER WERE FOUND BESIDE THE BOAT IN THE GRASS. THE "WHEEL ASSEMBLY" REFERRED EARLIER HAS EVERYTHING STILL ATTACHED ( BRAKE LINE, BRAKE SHOE, HUB, LUGS, CALIPER, EVERYTHING!). I HAVE KEPT THESE PARTS FOR YOUR INSPECTION IN MY HOME GARAGE.. *AK

NHTSA ODI #737755

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2000
Power TrainCrash

DRIVING AT APPROX 25 MPH WHEN AXLE BROKE AND PASSENGER'S TIRE SHOTOUT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT A STONE WALL. VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN IN A IMPROPER MANNER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #873401

Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2000
Exterior LightingPower TrainService Brakes, Air

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ODI #731655

Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2000
Power Train

VEHICLE WOULD NOT SWITCH INTO 4WD WHEN DEALER NOTIFIED I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD TO BE IN NEUTRAL TO SWITCH INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE. AFTER THREE ADDITIONAL VISITS TO THE DEALERSHIP THE SWITCH MOTOR WAS FINALLY REPLACED. DEALER DID NOT WANT TO ADMIT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #728455

Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2000
Interior LightingPower Train

DOME LIGHT INSIDE OF VEHICLE WOULD STAY ON AT ALL TIMES, AND RUN THE BATTERY DOWN. ALSO, DEALERSHIP CHANGED THE DRIVESHAFT AND TRANSMISSION . WHEN USING TRANSMISSION, CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE. NOISE WAS NOT THERE AT FIRST UNTIL DEALERSHIP REPLACED TRANSMISSION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #863872

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.