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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 · Aug 11, 1999
Power Train

TRANSMISSION MOUNT RETAINING BOLT LOOSE(5TURNS); MOUNT TO TRANSMISSION/EXHAUST BRACKET

NHTSA ODI #709882

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 1999
Power Train

WHAT IS HAPPENING IS, I BOUGHT THE TRUCK DECEMBER 1998 SERVICE REQUIRED IN JAN 99 APPROX. THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM THEY DAID AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS BY ME TO GET THEM TO LET ME SHOW THEM AND THEY DID NOT COMPLY. THEN FORD QUESTIONAIRE PEOPLE CALLED ME, AND HE SAID IF THE PROBLEM WASNT FIXED TO CALL BACK I NO LONGER…

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WHAT IS HAPPENING IS, I BOUGHT THE TRUCK DECEMBER 1998 SERVICE REQUIRED IN JAN 99 APPROX. THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM THEY DAID AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS BY ME TO GET THEM TO LET ME SHOW THEM AND THEY DID NOT COMPLY. THEN FORD QUESTIONAIRE PEOPLE CALLED ME, AND HE SAID IF THE PROBLEM WASNT FIXED TO CALL BACK I NO LONGER HAVE THE NAME OR NUMBER BUT THE TRUCK WENT BACK AGAIN TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID THE SECOND TIME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. I JUST GOT THROUGH WITH AN ENTIRE WEEK AND A HALF OF ARGUING WITH THEM THEY ONCE AGAIN SAID NOT A THING WRONG, THE SERVICE MANAGER WOULD NOT EVEN GIVE ME THE COURTESY OF TALKING TO ME. THE MECHANIC TOOK THE TRUCK AFTER I SAID I WAS NOT LEAVING AND PUT HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PUT THE TRUCK IN GEAR SK

NHTSA ODI #708921

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 1999
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN BRAKES HEAT UP THEY PULL SEVERLY LEFT...HAVE HAD IT CHECKED 4 TIMES...REPLACED PADS 3 TIMES...CHECKED ROTORS CALIPERS...NO FIX YET...ALSO DRIVESHAFT CLUNK NOISE AFTER CHANGING GEAR AND ACCELERATING...REPLACED DRIVESHAFT ONCE NO FIX...NOW THEY SAY THERE IS CURRENTLY NO FIX. *AK

NHTSA ODI #708179

Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 1999
Power Train

I RETURNED MY TRUCK TO FORD DEALERSHIP COMPLAINING OF A SHARP "CLUNKING" IN THE DRIVELINE WHEN LETTING UP ON ACCELERATOR. THE DEALER ADDED 1 QT OF TRANSMISSION FLUID, RAN COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS WITHOUT ANY INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. IT WAS REQUESTED THAT I TAKE A DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN ON A TEST DRIVE TO ILLUSTRATE PROBLEM. THE TECHN…

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I RETURNED MY TRUCK TO FORD DEALERSHIP COMPLAINING OF A SHARP "CLUNKING" IN THE DRIVELINE WHEN LETTING UP ON ACCELERATOR. THE DEALER ADDED 1 QT OF TRANSMISSION FLUID, RAN COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS WITHOUT ANY INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. IT WAS REQUESTED THAT I TAKE A DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN ON A TEST DRIVE TO ILLUSTRATE PROBLEM. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE "CLUNKING" WAS A "NORMAL TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFT". THE "CLUNKING" HAS NOT INCREASED IN INTENSITY, BUT I AM NOT CONVINCED IT IS NORMAL OPERATION DUE TO 1)THE SHARPNESS OF THE JOLT AND 2} CO-WORKERS EXACT SAME MODEL TRUCK DOES NOT EXIBIT THESE SYMPTOMS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #708130

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 1999
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE TRYING TO ACCLERATE. BUT IT JUST REVVED THE ENGINE AND THE ABS BRAKING CAME ON WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #836416

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 1999
Power Train

THE AUTOMATIC TRANS SLIPS WHEN COLD WHILE ENGAGING IN DRIVE. THE OTHER DAY WHEN I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND PUT IT IN DRIVE, TRANSMISSION TOOK OVER 10 SECONDS TO ENGAGE. THE TRUCK CONTINUED BACKWARDS UNTIL I HIT THE BRAKES, AND WAITED FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME WHEN IT GET'S ABOUT 40 DEGREES AND…

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THE AUTOMATIC TRANS SLIPS WHEN COLD WHILE ENGAGING IN DRIVE. THE OTHER DAY WHEN I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND PUT IT IN DRIVE, TRANSMISSION TOOK OVER 10 SECONDS TO ENGAGE. THE TRUCK CONTINUED BACKWARDS UNTIL I HIT THE BRAKES, AND WAITED FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME WHEN IT GET'S ABOUT 40 DEGREES AND BELOW.

NHTSA ODI #703011

Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 1999
Electrical SystemPower Train

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

NHTSA ODI #833574

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.