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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

What owners actually said

755 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2001
Power Train

IN COLD WEATHER VEHICLE HAS TO BE PUT IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE TO START, OTHERWISE, VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THIS VEHCILE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *YH

NHTSA ODI #878647

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2001
Seat BeltsCrashInjury

DRIVER WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE DRIVER WAS WEARING SEATBELTS, AND AIRBAG DEPLOYED, BUT DRIVER STILL RECEIVED HEAD INJUIRES, INCLUDING CONCUSSION. ALSO, PASSENGER AIRBAG SWITCH WAS TURNED OFF, BUT AIRBAG STILL DEPLOYED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #878282

Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2001
Power Train

ON PREVIOUS 1997 FORD RANGER I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SLAVE CYLINDER FORD SAID THAT PROBLEM HAD BEEN FIXED BUT OBVIOUSLY IT HASN'T IN MY NEW TRUCK I HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM IN SPEAKING WITH THE REPAIR MAN HE STTED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AND IT IS ABOUT EVERY 15,000 TO 25,000 MILES WHEN THE SLAVE CYNDER G…

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ON PREVIOUS 1997 FORD RANGER I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SLAVE CYLINDER FORD SAID THAT PROBLEM HAD BEEN FIXED BUT OBVIOUSLY IT HASN'T IN MY NEW TRUCK I HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM IN SPEAKING WITH THE REPAIR MAN HE STTED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AND IT IS ABOUT EVERY 15,000 TO 25,000 MILES WHEN THE SLAVE CYNDER GOES IT IS A TWO DAY JOB COSTING FROM $700 TO $900. FORD IS BURYING THEIR HEADS IN THE SAND. NOW I AM STUCK WHITH THIS PROBLEM WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS? OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH FORD MANUAL TRANSMIN. MANY OF MY FRIENDS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I ALSO HAVE A TRANSFER CASE PROBLEM WITH MY 4X4 IT WON'T GO IN TO FOUR LOW AND WHEN IT DOES I CAN'T BACK THE TRUCK UP NOW IT'S AFFECTING 4 HIGH. IN ADDITION SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH MY RADIO THE VOLUME F VARIOUS AND THE RADIO IT SELF IF YOU SHUT IT OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON IT SOMETIMES DOESN'T TURN BACK ON FOR A GOOD MILE OR TWO AND ONCE I WAS PUTTING MY POWER WINDOW DOWN AND IT SHUT OFF! THIS IS A BRAND NEW TRUCK IT IS ALL HIGHWAY MILE OF SMOOTH RIDING I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO I STUCK PAYING FOR THIS THING TO 2003 AND I CURRENTLY TRYING TO LOOK AT OTHER CARS. MY 1997 TRUCK STILL HAS THE CLUTCH PROBLEM AFTER IT BEEN REPLACED AND ONCE IT WAS IT WAS FINE FOR 11,500 MILES WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ON IT THEY SAID IT WAS FINE WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT IT WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO THEM THEY SAID IT WAS OVER THE 12,000 MILE AND "TOUGH LUCK"! I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN! PLEASE HELP! *AK

NHTSA ODI #739465

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2001
Tires

TREAD HAS HAIR LINE CRACKS. NO FAILURE AT THIS TIME. TIRES WERE MANUFACTURED IN CANADA.TIRES WILL BE INSPECTED BY A FIRESTONE DEALER THIS WEEK . JUST FORWORDING THIS INFORMATION FOR ANY FUTURE INVESTIGATION ON ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRES. *AK (TIRESIZE: P235X75R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235X75R15 )

NHTSA ODI #739421

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2001
Tires

CONSUMER REPLACED FIRESTONE TIRES (P235/75R15) DUE TO RECALL 00T005, HOWEVER HAS NOT YET RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #558809

Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2001
Tires

FIRESTONE WOLDERNESS AT, P225/70R15, DOT W2UU1P0209, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, 41000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH RIGHT REAR FIRESTONE WILDERENSS AT TIRE HAD A BLOWOUT, DAMAGED WHEEL OF VEHICLE. FIRESTONE DEALER BRIEFLY LOOKED AT TIRE, AND STATED IT WAS DUE TO ROAD HAZARD. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ODI #877788

Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2001
Tires

WHILE TRAVELING 55MPH ON PAVED RURAL ROAD WITH NO PRIOR WARNINGS OR SOUNDS, DRIVER'S REAR FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE P265/75R15 BLEWOUT. FIRESTONE DOTW29V1PK498 , RECALL #00T005000 TIRES WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. CONSUMER HAS TWO TIRES IN POSSESSION. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ODI #877755

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2001
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS LIGHT CAME ON, CAUSING SPEEDOMTER TO FAIL. ALSO, TRANSMISSION/OVERDRIVE LIGHT HAD COME ON, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT AND DOWNSHIFT INTO LOW. *AK

NHTSA ODI #877597

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

Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2001
Electrical SystemInterior LightingParking Brake

EMERGENCY BRAKES WILL NOT RELEASE, AND THERE A SHORT IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ALSO, DOME LIGHTS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #877432

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.