Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
100–25K
3425–50K
3450–75K
4475–100K
56100–150K
36150K+
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
What owners actually said
755 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE TRUCK, I NOTICED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COLD, THE DISTANCE NEEDED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WAS GREATLY INCREASED THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES I APPLIED THE BRAKES. WHEN COLD, EVEN WHEN A GREAT DEAL OF PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, I CAN NOT BRING THE TRUCK TO AN ABRUPT STOP. IT IS ESPECIALLY N…
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SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE TRUCK, I NOTICED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COLD, THE DISTANCE NEEDED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WAS GREATLY INCREASED THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES I APPLIED THE BRAKES. WHEN COLD, EVEN WHEN A GREAT DEAL OF PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, I CAN NOT BRING THE TRUCK TO AN ABRUPT STOP. IT IS ESPECIALLY NOTICABLE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP GOING DOWNHILL. I HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO 3 LOCAL FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. NONE HAVE OFFERED ANY SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM OR THEY DENY THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. MOST RECENTLY, I HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED AT PHIL LONG FORD OF DENVER LLC. WHEN I COMPLAINED TO THEM THAT THE BRAKES STILL TOOK A LONGER TIME TO STOP THE TRUCK WHEN COLD, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE BRAKES ON THE FORD RANGER BUT THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE UNTIL THE BRAKES WARM UP.*AK
NHTSA ODI #766263
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2002
Service Brakes, HydraulicWheels
THE LEFT REAR WHEEL SEAL MOVED OUT OF THE AXLE HOUSING, AND CAUSED FLUID TO GET ON BRAKES. THIS HAS AFFECTED THE BRAKING ABILITY, AT PANIC STOP VEHICLE PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT. THE SEAL WAS REPLACED FOR THE FIRST TIME AT 4700 MILES, AND HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 MORE TIMES SINCE. *AK THE DEALER DENIED THAT THE AXLE HOUSING WAS DEF…
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THE LEFT REAR WHEEL SEAL MOVED OUT OF THE AXLE HOUSING, AND CAUSED FLUID TO GET ON BRAKES. THIS HAS AFFECTED THE BRAKING ABILITY, AT PANIC STOP VEHICLE PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT. THE SEAL WAS REPLACED FOR THE FIRST TIME AT 4700 MILES, AND HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 MORE TIMES SINCE. *AK THE DEALER DENIED THAT THE AXLE HOUSING WAS DEFECTIVE. SCC
NHTSA ODI #8016946
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
99 V 062 001/CRUISE SPEED CONTROL CABLE: VEHICLE HAS CUT OFF ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH , VEHICLE RESTARTED ON EACH TIME. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8016565
Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2002
Visibility
WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON INVOLUNTARILY 3-4 TIMES AND SWIPE 4-5 TIMES BEFORE CUTTING OFF. WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAUSE A BIG DISTRACTION TO DRIVER WHILE DRIVING. DEALER WAS INFORMED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8015586
Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2002
Power Train
THE TRUCK STARTED STALLING WHEN ON THE FREEWAY TRYING TO PASS A TRAILER. AN ACCIDENT DID NOT HAPPEN BUT IT WAS A VERY CLOSE CALL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #765150
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2002
Electrical System
SMOKE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WITH THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL ON. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, I TURNED ON THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL TO CHANGE LANES. INITIALLY THE TURN SIGNAL WORKED NORMALLY. AFTER CHANGING LANES, A COLUMN OF SMOKE BEGAN RISING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD HAD GONE FROM BLINK…
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SMOKE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WITH THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL ON. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, I TURNED ON THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL TO CHANGE LANES. INITIALLY THE TURN SIGNAL WORKED NORMALLY. AFTER CHANGING LANES, A COLUMN OF SMOKE BEGAN RISING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD HAD GONE FROM BLINKING ON AND OFF TO A STEADY DIM GREEN AND THE TURN SIGNAL ARM HAD NOT FULLY MOVED TO THE OFF POSITION. I MOVED THE TURN SIGNAL ARM TO THE OFF POSITION AND THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT WENT OUT AND THE SMOKE STOPPED SHORTLY AFTER THAT. AT A STOP SIGN, THE SAME SITUATION OCCURRED. I DID NOT USE TURN SIGNAL FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DRIVE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #764950
Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2002
Air Bags
DUAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHEN DRIVER DROVE OVER A SMALL POTHOLE IN STREET. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8014924
Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2002
Visibility
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER HAS TO TURN SWITCH ON AND OFF TO STOP WIPERS. DEALER COULD NOT FIX. *TT *CB
NHTSA ODI #566961
Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2002
Wheels
WHILE BACKING VEHICLE OUT FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP AS RESULT OF CALIPER CUTTING TIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8013594
Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE IS AT A COMPLETE STOP AND IT WILL NOT MOVE. AFTER A WHILE IT WILL START. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE THROTTLE STICKS AND WILL HANG WHEN APPLIED OFF IDLE POSITION. WHEN IT UNHANGS ITSELF A METAL SOUND CAN BE HEARD FROM THE ENGINE. THE PROBLEM WORSENS WHE…
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VEHICLE IS AT A COMPLETE STOP AND IT WILL NOT MOVE. AFTER A WHILE IT WILL START. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE THROTTLE STICKS AND WILL HANG WHEN APPLIED OFF IDLE POSITION. WHEN IT UNHANGS ITSELF A METAL SOUND CAN BE HEARD FROM THE ENGINE. THE PROBLEM WORSENS WHEN ENGINE IS HOT, AND SUGGESTS THAT FORD COMPANYS ARE APETHETIC ABOUT THE SITUATION AND THAT THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS & DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *SCC
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.
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.
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.
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.
1999 Ford Ranger Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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