← New search

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

Suspension complaints

67 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2021
Suspension

I was driving to the store around 1 month ago and I noticed the truck was trying to tail to the side as I was driving. I thought nothing of it until my Uncle Bobby noticed my rear shock was scraping the ground. We looked underneath to investigate and found both shock mounts completely rusted off and the frame in terrible shape. …

Read full complaint

I was driving to the store around 1 month ago and I noticed the truck was trying to tail to the side as I was driving. I thought nothing of it until my Uncle Bobby noticed my rear shock was scraping the ground. We looked underneath to investigate and found both shock mounts completely rusted off and the frame in terrible shape. The truck itself barely has any rust other than the tailgate and bed floor. Also thought I should include that the hose that connect the gas tank and where you pump the gas is rusted to where every time I pump gas, a little drips out onto the floor. I was trying to find videos on how to fix it but came across a page that says Rangers have been recalled from the years 1995 to 2000 because of Toyota starting to make frames for them. *EDIT* Also would like to mention that the frame where the bumper attaches to on the driver side has cracked and now the bumper is sagging down .

NHTSA ODI #11437821

127,642 miles · Dec 29, 2020
SteeringStructureSuspension

I WAS DRIVING WAS ABOUT 20 MPH AND HIT A SMALL POT HOLE. I HEARD A LOUD POP BANG NOISE AND THE LEFT SIDE OF TRUCK DROPPED ABOUT 2 OR 3 INCHES. I THOUGHT THE FRONT END FELL OFF. THE FRAME IS RUSTED SO BAD YOU CAN PUNCH HOLES IS THE FRAME WITH A SCREW DRIVER, THE DRIVER SIDE TORSION BAR HAS COLLAPSED DUE TO RUST ON THE FRAME THAT …

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING WAS ABOUT 20 MPH AND HIT A SMALL POT HOLE. I HEARD A LOUD POP BANG NOISE AND THE LEFT SIDE OF TRUCK DROPPED ABOUT 2 OR 3 INCHES. I THOUGHT THE FRONT END FELL OFF. THE FRAME IS RUSTED SO BAD YOU CAN PUNCH HOLES IS THE FRAME WITH A SCREW DRIVER, THE DRIVER SIDE TORSION BAR HAS COLLAPSED DUE TO RUST ON THE FRAME THAT HOLDS IT IN PLACE, THE CROSSMEMBER TO TRANSMISSION IS BARLEY HOLDING TRANSMISSION UP, THE SPARE TIRE AREA IS RUSTED IN HALF, ALL MAIN CROSSMEMBERS ARE RUSTED IN HALF AND THE FRAME IS RUSTED IN HALF BEHIND FUEL TANK. TRUCK HAS 127K MILES AND THE BODY BODY HAS LITTLE TO NO RUST, UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS ARE UNSAFE FROM RUST. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE BODY CAN BE SO GOOD BUT FRAME AND SUSPENSION IS COMPLETELY RUSTED TO NO RETURN.

NHTSA ODI #11385534

Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2019
Fuel/propulsion SystemSuspensionUnknown Or Other

FRAME IS VERY RUSTED AND BIG HOLES IN THE FRAME. I THINK THERE IS A GAS LEAK AS WELL BUT THE FRAME IS VERY BAD.

NHTSA ODI #11257158

150,000 miles · Aug 20, 2018
StructureSuspension

THE FRAME IS RUSTING AWAY. BOTH LEAF SPRING SHACKLES RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH, MUFFLER HANGERS ALL RUSTED OFF LOST MY MUFFLER ON A ROAD.

NHTSA ODI #11121059

178,000 miles · Jan 30, 2018
Power TrainService BrakesSuspension

GAS PETAL IS TOO CLOSE TO BRAKES...AND IF NOT CAREFUL RIGHT FOOT HITS BOTH.CAUSING A ROARING OF ACCELERATION , WHILE TRYING TO STOP VEHICLE.VERY DANGEROUS!

NHTSA ODI #11065807

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2016
Suspension

MECHANIC TELLS ME THAT VEHICLE IS UNSAFE DUE TO EXTREME RUST/CORROSION ON CHASSIS FRAME (LEFT SIDE) OVER AND NEAR GAS TANK AND BRAKE LINES. NO ACCIDENT TO REPORT BUT I WON'T DRIVE VEHICLE NOW DUE TO OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #10911225

104,660 miles · Aug 30, 2016
StructureSuspension

THE FRAME AT THE RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION POCKET RUSTED OUT. UPPER CONTROL ARM REAR BRACKET IS COMPLETELY DETACHED. DROVE THE TRUCK TO MY DESTINATION WITH NO ISSUES, ON THE RETURN TRIP IT FELT "FLOATY" AS IF IT WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A TOWN ROAD. THERE WAS NO BUMP OR AUDIBLE NOISE PRIOR TO OR ACCOMPANYING TH…

Read full complaint

THE FRAME AT THE RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION POCKET RUSTED OUT. UPPER CONTROL ARM REAR BRACKET IS COMPLETELY DETACHED. DROVE THE TRUCK TO MY DESTINATION WITH NO ISSUES, ON THE RETURN TRIP IT FELT "FLOATY" AS IF IT WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A TOWN ROAD. THERE WAS NO BUMP OR AUDIBLE NOISE PRIOR TO OR ACCOMPANYING THE ISSUE. BODY HAS VERY MINIMAL RUST, THE REST OF THE FRAME APPEARS SOLID. TRUCK HAS 104,660 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10899610

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2016
Suspension

FRAME RAILS ARE ROTTING OUT MORE ON THE LEFT SIDE THAN THE RIGHT, CRACKS AND ROT HOLES NEAR ALL THE CHASSIS /SUSPENSION MOUNTS INCLUDING THE MOUNTS FOR THE FUEL TANK, VERY DANGEROUS AS THESE VEHICLES LOOK GREAT IN APPEARANCE BUT FRAMES ARE ROTTING TO PEOPLE UNKNOWN POSSIBLY TOO LATE AS SOME MAY GET KILLED AS A RESULT, EITHER BY …

Read full complaint

FRAME RAILS ARE ROTTING OUT MORE ON THE LEFT SIDE THAN THE RIGHT, CRACKS AND ROT HOLES NEAR ALL THE CHASSIS /SUSPENSION MOUNTS INCLUDING THE MOUNTS FOR THE FUEL TANK, VERY DANGEROUS AS THESE VEHICLES LOOK GREAT IN APPEARANCE BUT FRAMES ARE ROTTING TO PEOPLE UNKNOWN POSSIBLY TOO LATE AS SOME MAY GET KILLED AS A RESULT, EITHER BY AN ACCIDENT OR GETTING BLOWN UP BY THE FUEL TANK FALLING OUT

NHTSA ODI #10888066

90,000 miles · Jul 17, 2016
Suspension

LIKE MOST OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS, REAR FRAME IS JUST DISCENTERGRATING. FIRST NOTICED AT ABOUT 54000 MILES, DID SOME REPAIRS AND NOW AT AROUND 90000 I NOTICED BOTH SIDES ARE GOING BAD, HAVE CRACKS AND HOLES, AND THE CROSSMEMBERS ARE IN BAD SHAPE. I'M NOT A WEALTHY PERSON AND CANNOT JUST AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE. I DON'T UN…

Read full complaint

LIKE MOST OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS, REAR FRAME IS JUST DISCENTERGRATING. FIRST NOTICED AT ABOUT 54000 MILES, DID SOME REPAIRS AND NOW AT AROUND 90000 I NOTICED BOTH SIDES ARE GOING BAD, HAVE CRACKS AND HOLES, AND THE CROSSMEMBERS ARE IN BAD SHAPE. I'M NOT A WEALTHY PERSON AND CANNOT JUST AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE GOVERNMENT OR FORD DOESN'T REALIZE WHAT A SAFETY CONCERN THIS IS. DOES SOMEONE'S LIFE HAVE TO END BECAUSE A FRAME BRAKES OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREET OR INTERSTATE. DOESN'T' ANYONE READ THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE AND UNDERSTAND HOW DANGEROUS THIS COULD BE. I KNOW FORD IS AWARE OF THE REAR FRAMES ROTTING ON THIS MODEL YEAR AND OTHERS OF THE RANGER. I CONTACTED THEM PERSONALLY. WHAT MAKES FORD BETTER THAN TOYOTA? I ALWAYS SAY BUY AMERICAN, BUT I'M HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS.

NHTSA ODI #10885338

110,000 miles · Apr 15, 2016
SuspensionUnknown Or Other

SEVERE FRAME RUSTING, BED HAS SEVERE RUST, REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKLES RUSTED OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. VEHICLE IS NEARLY UNUSABLE AND UNSAFE AT 112,000 OR SO MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10859797

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.