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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

Tires complaints

178 reports
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161,120 miles · May 24, 2013
StructureSuspensionTires

I NOTICED HEAVY RUST SCALE ON GROUND AND INSPECTED TO SEE MY SPARE TIRE WAS MISSING, THERE IS A LARGE HOLE RUSTED ALL THE WAY THRU THE FRAME IN FRONT OF THE LEFT REAR SPRING SHACKLE AND A CRACK IN THE FRAME IN FRONT OF THE FRONT SHACKLE ALMOST ALL THE WAY AROUND THE CHANNEL. FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWED ALL CROSS MEMBERS, GAS …

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I NOTICED HEAVY RUST SCALE ON GROUND AND INSPECTED TO SEE MY SPARE TIRE WAS MISSING, THERE IS A LARGE HOLE RUSTED ALL THE WAY THRU THE FRAME IN FRONT OF THE LEFT REAR SPRING SHACKLE AND A CRACK IN THE FRAME IN FRONT OF THE FRONT SHACKLE ALMOST ALL THE WAY AROUND THE CHANNEL. FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWED ALL CROSS MEMBERS, GAS TANK STRAP AND BED SUPPORTS ARE SEVERELY RUSTED AND THE RIGHT SIDE FRAME RAIL FOLLOWING SUIT WITH THE LEFT FRAME RAIL. THE REMAINDER OF THE TRUCK IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A TRUCK WITH THIS AGE AND MILEAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513461

175,000 miles · Nov 2, 2012
TiresCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER WITH DEFINITY DAKOTA H/T TIRES, SIZE P225/70/R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A CENTER HIGHWAY MEDIAN. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHIN AND ARM DUE TO THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. AFTER I…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER WITH DEFINITY DAKOTA H/T TIRES, SIZE P225/70/R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A CENTER HIGHWAY MEDIAN. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHIN AND ARM DUE TO THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE TREAD ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS SEPARATED. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES OF THE VEHICLE WERE APPROXIMATELY 175,000. UPDATED 01/29/13*LJ UPDATED 1/30/2013 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10483168

127,000 miles · Feb 19, 2012
Fuel System, GasolineStructureSuspension

1999 FORD RANGER WITH 130,000 MILES. LEAF SPRINGS RUSTED OUT (BOTH SIDES) AND MOUNTING BRACKETS ALSO RUSTED. WENT TO 3 AUTOBODY SHOPS AND NOBODY WOULD TOUCH IT. BUMPER JUST RUSTED OUT ON BOTH SIDES AND SPARE TIRE WELL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED. BUMPER AND SPARE CURRENTLY BEING HELD TOGETHER WITH 2, 1900 LB CHAINS. RANGER RUNS FINE JU…

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1999 FORD RANGER WITH 130,000 MILES. LEAF SPRINGS RUSTED OUT (BOTH SIDES) AND MOUNTING BRACKETS ALSO RUSTED. WENT TO 3 AUTOBODY SHOPS AND NOBODY WOULD TOUCH IT. BUMPER JUST RUSTED OUT ON BOTH SIDES AND SPARE TIRE WELL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED. BUMPER AND SPARE CURRENTLY BEING HELD TOGETHER WITH 2, 1900 LB CHAINS. RANGER RUNS FINE JUST BODY FALLING APART. VERY CONCERNED TIRE, BUMPER MAY BECOME DISLODGED AND CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE TO MYSELF OR OTHERS. GAS TANK ALSO RUSTED BUT NOT LEAKING SO FAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10448484

165,000 miles · Feb 26, 2009
Tires

CABLE ATTACHING SPARE TIRE TO UNDERCARRIAGE OF TRUCK SNAPPED, CAUSING TIRE TO FALL INTO ROAD. I CONTACTED FORD WITH MY CONCERN, WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THIS DEFECT DUE TO MY TRUCK BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10260058

Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2008
Tires

I HAVE HAD 2 OF THESE TIRES BLOW OUT ON ME. THE FIRST HAPPENED ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. HEARD A LOUD BOOM AT 10 MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT. WENT OUTSIDE AND FOUND A GASH IN THE TIRE ON THE SIDE WALL ABOUT 5 TO 6 INCHES LONG. I HAD THOUGH SOME ONE HAD SLASHED THE TIRE BUT THE POLICE OFFICER SAID THA…

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I HAVE HAD 2 OF THESE TIRES BLOW OUT ON ME. THE FIRST HAPPENED ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. HEARD A LOUD BOOM AT 10 MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT. WENT OUTSIDE AND FOUND A GASH IN THE TIRE ON THE SIDE WALL ABOUT 5 TO 6 INCHES LONG. I HAD THOUGH SOME ONE HAD SLASHED THE TIRE BUT THE POLICE OFFICER SAID THAT THE TIRE BLEW OUT FROM THE INSIDE. THIS TIRE WAS ON THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE 99 FORD RANGER PICK UP. I HAD IT REPLACED WITH THE SAME TIRE BRAND AND MODEL. THE SECOND TIRE BLEW OUT 6/24 WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE 81. THIS WAS THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. THE SIDE WALL HAS COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE TREAD. IT LOOKS LIKE THE SEPARATION STARTS RIGHT ABOVE THE RAISED WHITE LETTERING. ONE OF THE OTHER 2 ORIGINAL TIRES HAS SOME OF THE WHITE BEGINNING TO SHOW ABOVE THE WHITE LETTERING. THE TIRE THAT WAS REPLACED 3 WEEKS AGO IS ALSO BEGINNING TO HAVE SOME OF THE WHITE THAT IS UNDER THE BLACK COLOR OF THE TIRE SHOW THROUGH RIGHT ABOVE THE LETTERING. I HAVE REPLACED ALL THE TIRES ON MY VEHICLE WITH KELLY TIRES. I HAVE THE BRIDGESTONE TIRES IF YOU WANT THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10232354

103,000 miles · Sep 12, 2007
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. THE VEHICLE HAS SUMITOMO TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, ONE OF THE TIRES BLEW OUT. THE STRANDS FROM THE TIRE WRAPPED AROUND THE MUD FLAPS OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH HAD TO BE PULLED APART TO CHANGE THE TIRE. THE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED AND DAMAGED THE BRAKE LINE. THE TIRE WAS CHANGED. TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. THE VEHICLE HAS SUMITOMO TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, ONE OF THE TIRES BLEW OUT. THE STRANDS FROM THE TIRE WRAPPED AROUND THE MUD FLAPS OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH HAD TO BE PULLED APART TO CHANGE THE TIRE. THE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED AND DAMAGED THE BRAKE LINE. THE TIRE WAS CHANGED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 103,000. THE MILEAGE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WAS 102,000.

NHTSA ODI #10202742

Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2006
TiresCrash

1999 RANGER TIRE BLEW OUT. *TS THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A CURB, WHEN OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STRUCK A GUARDRAIL. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10175387

43,000 miles · Oct 18, 2005
Tires

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ONE OF THE TIRE ON HIS 1999 FORD RANGER EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. THE TIRE ITSELF REMAINED INFLATED. THE LOCATION WAS THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH. THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH FIRESTONE. THE CONSUMER MAILED THE TIRE AND OTHER INFORMATION THAT THE MANUF…

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DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ONE OF THE TIRE ON HIS 1999 FORD RANGER EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. THE TIRE ITSELF REMAINED INFLATED. THE LOCATION WAS THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH. THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH FIRESTONE. THE CONSUMER MAILED THE TIRE AND OTHER INFORMATION THAT THE MANUFACTURER REQUESTED. FIRESTONE DID THEIR OWN INVESTIGATION AND FOUND THAT IT WAS NOT THEIR FAULT, AND IT WAS NOT A DEFECT. THE TIRE WAS A FIRESTONE WILDERNESS HT, P205/75R14. *AK FIRESTONE CLAIMED THE MOISTURE CAUSED THE TREAD SEPARATION. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10136754

Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2005
Tires

CONSUMER REQUEST ASSISTANCE RE THE DIFFICULTY HE IS EXPERIENCING IN GETTING FORD TO REPLACE THE FIRESTONE TIRES ON HIS 1999 FORD RANGER. *NM THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT HE COULD REPLACE THE RECALLED TIRES AT ANY TIME, FREE OF CHARGE. HOWEVER HE HAS SINCE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT TOO MUCH TIME…

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CONSUMER REQUEST ASSISTANCE RE THE DIFFICULTY HE IS EXPERIENCING IN GETTING FORD TO REPLACE THE FIRESTONE TIRES ON HIS 1999 FORD RANGER. *NM THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT HE COULD REPLACE THE RECALLED TIRES AT ANY TIME, FREE OF CHARGE. HOWEVER HE HAS SINCE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT TOO MUCH TIME HAS PASSED AND HE MUST PAY FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE TIRES HIMSELF. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10127921

58,023 miles · May 16, 2005
Tires

DT: FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSED TO REPLACE TIRES THAT FORD SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE AT ANY TIME. THESE TIRES WERE RECALLED, AND CONSUMER CHOSE NOT TO REPLACE AT THAT TIME. FORD TOLD CONSUMER THAT HE COULD REPLACE AT ANY TIME. CONSUMER WASN'T NOTIFIED OF ANY CHANGES THAT FORD MADE. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10121068

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.