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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

Suspension complaints

67 reports
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186,000 miles · May 24, 2013
StructureSuspensionWheels

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, I WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY STEERING. THE CAR WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT AND I HAD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE IT WAS TOO DIFFICULT TO MANAGE. UPON INSPECTION, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS TOED-IN AND THE UPPER TIRE STABILIZER ARM BROKE AWAY FROM THE FRAME AT THE BRACKET. THE BRACKET ATTACHING THE ARM TO THE FRAME …

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, I WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY STEERING. THE CAR WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT AND I HAD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE IT WAS TOO DIFFICULT TO MANAGE. UPON INSPECTION, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS TOED-IN AND THE UPPER TIRE STABILIZER ARM BROKE AWAY FROM THE FRAME AT THE BRACKET. THE BRACKET ATTACHING THE ARM TO THE FRAME HAD SNAPPED. THE FRAME ITSELF JUST BELOW THAT BRACKET WAS CRACKED WITH SEVERE ROT ON BOTH SIDES. THE REST OF THE TRUCK IS IN PERFECT CONDITION EXCEPT FOR THE FRAME. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS CANNOT BE FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513374

Mileage unknown · May 7, 2013
StructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOLTS BEHIND THE REAR WHEELS THAT WERE CONNECTED TO THE BED OF THE VEHICLE WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION WHEN THE DEALER ADVISED HIM OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO D…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOLTS BEHIND THE REAR WHEELS THAT WERE CONNECTED TO THE BED OF THE VEHICLE WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION WHEN THE DEALER ADVISED HIM OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10510981

126,000 miles · Feb 23, 2013
StructureSuspension

THE FAR REAR RIGHT SPRING SHACKLE AND MOUNT FELL OUT OF THE TRUCK. I FELT THE BODY FALL AND HEARD A BANG AND IN THE MIRROR SAW SOMETHING FALL ON THE GROUND. AFTER INVESTIGATING I FOUND THAT THOSE PARTS HAD ROTTED OUT AND FELL OUT. THE SPRING WAS RESTING ON THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK BED. I'M A MECHANIC, SO I GOT THE PARTS TO FIX IT…

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THE FAR REAR RIGHT SPRING SHACKLE AND MOUNT FELL OUT OF THE TRUCK. I FELT THE BODY FALL AND HEARD A BANG AND IN THE MIRROR SAW SOMETHING FALL ON THE GROUND. AFTER INVESTIGATING I FOUND THAT THOSE PARTS HAD ROTTED OUT AND FELL OUT. THE SPRING WAS RESTING ON THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK BED. I'M A MECHANIC, SO I GOT THE PARTS TO FIX IT, BUT FOUND THAT AS I TOOK APART THE FRAME PARTS, THE FRAME HAD RUSTED THROUGH ON BOTH SIDES OF THE SPRING MOUNT. THE LEFT SIDE, THOUGH THE SHACKLE MOUNT HAD NOT ROTTED OFF YET, WAS IN BAD SHAPE. WHEN I GOT THE LEFT SIDE SPRING MOUNT OFF, THE FRAME WAS ROTTED THROUGH BEHIND IT AND HAD RUSTED THROUGH ON BOTH SIDES OF THE SPRING MOUNT. THIS ISN'T GOING TO LAST LONG. INFACT I'M LOOKING INTO MY OPTIONS FOR REPAIR. FORD SHOULD BE MADE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. THERE IS NO WAY A TRUCK FRAME SHOULD MELT LIKE THIS. TO REMOVE THE RIVOTS USED FROM THE FACTORY TO MOUNT THE FRAME PARTS, I USED AN AIR CHISEL. THE VIBRATION CAUSED MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF RUST FLAKES TO FALL OFF OF OTHER PARTS OF THE FRAME, SOME AN EIGHTH IN THICK AND THE SIZE OF A LARGE TIRE PATCH. THIS MAKES ME WONDER IF THE REST OF THE FRAME IS SAFE TO USE.! IF YOU GO TO A JUNK YARD YOU CAN FIND TRUCK FRAMES THAT ARE 40 YEARS OLD THAT DON'T HAVE THIS KIND OF ROT!!! PLEASE PRESS FORD TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS...THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10499747

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

102,000 miles · Nov 24, 2012
StructureSuspension

STRUCTURE, FRAME RUSTED, FRONT BUMPER RUSTED FROM INSIDE. REAR SPRING SUPORT RUSTED. GAS FILLER DOOR RUSTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10485891

84,267 miles · Oct 6, 2012
StructureSuspension

SHACKLES, FRAME ,FRAME BRACKETS AND BUMPERS RUSTED . SHACKLE BRACKETS AND REAR FRAME BRACKETS BROKE INTO WHEN RAISING TRUCK ON LIFT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10478824

167,822 miles · Jun 2, 2012
StructureSuspension

1999 FORD RANGER REAR FRAME SECTION ROTTED BEHIND REAR SHACKLE MOUNT. BROKE OFF AND CAUSED REAR AXLE TO BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE REAR FRAME SECTION. BUMPER FELL TO THE GROUND. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460339

69,000 miles · Mar 15, 2012
StructureSuspension

FRAME RUSTED THROUGH NEAR SPRING HANGER REPLACED SPRING HANGERS NOW FRAME HAS SO MANY HOLES SPRING HANGERS MAY COME LOOSE. REAR BUMBER IS FALLING OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10451862

Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2012
Suspension

WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS RANGERS AND EVERY ONE OF THEM HAS HAD A RUSTED FRAME!! WE CURRENTLY HAVE 2 A 1999 AND A 1998 AND BOTH FRAMES ARE RUSTED. WHY CAN FORD NOT MAN UP LIKE TOYOTA? TALK ABOUT A [XXX] COMPANY WHO WILL NOT ADMIT THEY SCREWED UP ON THESE FRAMES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOI…

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WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS RANGERS AND EVERY ONE OF THEM HAS HAD A RUSTED FRAME!! WE CURRENTLY HAVE 2 A 1999 AND A 1998 AND BOTH FRAMES ARE RUSTED. WHY CAN FORD NOT MAN UP LIKE TOYOTA? TALK ABOUT A [XXX] COMPANY WHO WILL NOT ADMIT THEY SCREWED UP ON THESE FRAMES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10451725

80,000 miles · Mar 13, 2012
StructureSuspension

YOU GUYS SHOULD MAKE FORD MOTORS REPLACE EVERY SINGLE FRAME ON FORD RANGER PICK UPS. I HAVE ONE NOW THAT I AM TRYING TO FIX AND IT IS JUST INCREDIBLE THE AMOUNT OF RUST AND HOLES THAT ARE IN A TRUCK THAT IS BARELY TEN YEARS OLD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10451555

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.