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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

Visibility complaints

73 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2002
Interior LightingVisibility

WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON AUTOMATICALLY (WITHOUT DRIVER TURNING THEM ON), AND INTERIOR DOME LIGHT STAYS ON FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS AFTER THE DOORS HAVE BEEN CLOSED

NHTSA ODI #757299

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2002
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicVisibilityInjury

AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE INTO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, THE VEHICLE FLIPPED AND ENDED UP ON ITS SIDE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE THAT MADE THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE TO THUMP AND LOCK UP, DEALER REPLACED THE RIGHT AND LEFT …

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AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE INTO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, THE VEHICLE FLIPPED AND ENDED UP ON ITS SIDE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE THAT MADE THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE TO THUMP AND LOCK UP, DEALER REPLACED THE RIGHT AND LEFT HUBS AND THE SEALS. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD ITS HEATING SYSTEM FIXED TWICE. THE REAR BRAKE PARTS ALSO FELL APART AND WERE REPLACED. ONE PERSON WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENT MENTIONED. *YH

NHTSA ODI #8001324

Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2001
Visibility

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED BACK SLIDING WINDOW SHATTERED INTO SEVERAL PIECES WITHOUT WARNING. CONTACT DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING TO BE DONE. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #892938

Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2001
Visibility

1999 FORD RANGER XLT, THE PROBLEM IS YOUR DRIVING ALONG AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS START WORKING COMPLETE ON THERE OWN, WORK ABOUT 3 TO 4 MINUTES THEN IT GOES OFF. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING THE TRUCK. IVE TRIED TO TURN THEM OFF BY THE CONTROL SWITCH BUT IT DOES NOTHING. THATS ALSO THE HANDLE THAT THE TU…

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1999 FORD RANGER XLT, THE PROBLEM IS YOUR DRIVING ALONG AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS START WORKING COMPLETE ON THERE OWN, WORK ABOUT 3 TO 4 MINUTES THEN IT GOES OFF. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING THE TRUCK. IVE TRIED TO TURN THEM OFF BY THE CONTROL SWITCH BUT IT DOES NOTHING. THATS ALSO THE HANDLE THAT THE TURNING SINGLES LIGHTS ARE ON, HAVE SEEN TO BE WORKING OKAY AT THIS TIME. CALLED RUSS DEAN FORD ABOUT THE REPAIR, THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS A PROGRAM TO REPLACE THE SWITCH BUT NOT A RECALL ABOUT REPLACING THE SWITCH. HE SAID THAT I CAN PAY $150 TO $200 TO HAVE IT FIXED AND IF THERE WAS A RECALL FORD WOULD PAY ME BACK. BUT THAT DOESNT HELP WITH THE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME. RESEARCHED THE INTERNET UNDER FORD MOTOR CREDIT SERVICE BULLETINS FOR 1999 FORD TRUCK RANGER 4WD  THIS INFORMATION TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS OR RECALLS NUMBER: 00-9-6, ISSUE DATE: MAY 2000, TSB TITLE: FRONT WIPERS OPERATE WHILE SWITCH IS IN OFF POSITION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #746966

Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2001
Visibility

WITHOUT ANY INDICATION OR CONSUMER TURNING SWITCH ON WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD TURN ON. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #889511

Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2001
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPERS GO ON WHEN TURN SIGNAL ACTIVATED OR BY THEMSELVES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #744404

Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2001
Visibility

DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOWS CHATTER/SKIP IN DOWN MODE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #743042

Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2001
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATES INTERMITTENTLY WHEN VEHICLE IS ON. CONSUMER TURNS SWITCH IT COMES ON SOMETIMES, AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #882959

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 8, 2001
TiresVisibility

FIRST OFF THERE HAS BEEN NO FAILURE AS YET. I COULDN'T GET THIS FAR WITHOUT SAYING THERE WAS. I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT ABOUT THE TIRES I HAVE IS ANY DIFFERENT THAN THE ONES BEING RECALLED? I STILL DON'T HEAR WHY THEY ARE FAILING. IF AS I SUSPECT THAT IT IS THE GLUE IS THERE A DIFFERENT GLUE USED ON 16"? I'M CURIOUS TOO ABO…

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FIRST OFF THERE HAS BEEN NO FAILURE AS YET. I COULDN'T GET THIS FAR WITHOUT SAYING THERE WAS. I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT ABOUT THE TIRES I HAVE IS ANY DIFFERENT THAN THE ONES BEING RECALLED? I STILL DON'T HEAR WHY THEY ARE FAILING. IF AS I SUSPECT THAT IT IS THE GLUE IS THERE A DIFFERENT GLUE USED ON 16"? I'M CURIOUS TOO ABOUT WHETHER THE TIRE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FEELING THAT THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL VERY EASILY. I'VE NOTICED IN A COUPLE OF CIRCUMSTANCES OF QUICK BRAKING TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT THAT THE VEHICLE LIKE THE CENTER OF GRAVITY IS SOMEWHERE ABOVE THE TOP OF THE CAB. THIS IS NOT IN A SITUATION WHERE THE VEHICLE IS SLIDING SIDE WAYS EITHER. IT JUST FEELS LIKE IT COULD VERY EASILY FLIP OVER. I SEE NO APPARENT FLAWS IN THE TIRES AT THIS POINT AND THEY SEEM TO BE WEARING AS WELL AS ANY OTHER TIRE ON THE MARKET. THEY JUST DON'T FEEL RIGHT AND DIDN'T PRIOR TO THE RECALL ACTION. THIS IS A FYI FROM ME TO YOU AND AT THIS POINT I HOLD LITTLE IF ANY HOPE OF THESE BEING RECALLED. WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR ME? THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. *AK (TIRESIZE: P245/75R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P245/75R16 )

NHTSA ODI #738969

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.