IllustrationMY FRAME HAS RUSTED/ ROTTED ALMOST COMPLETELY OFF WHERE IT CONNECTS TO MY REAR BUMPER. THE BUMPER IS NOW ATTACHED BY ONE OF TWO BRACKETS AND IS SOON TO FALL OFF WHERE AS IT MAY CAUSE A FATAL INJURY TO ANOTHER DRIVER OR PEDESTRIANS.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Ranger years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsUPON INSPECTION MECHANIC SAID "SHACKLES , FRAME, LEAFSPRINGS, ALL RUSTED AND TRUCK WILL NOT LAST. MOTOR RUNS GREAT, BODY NO RUST.
MY REPAIR GARAGE CALLED ME IN TO LOOK AT THE FRAME ON MY 1999 FORD RANGER. THE FRAME WAS DETERIORATED SO BADLY FROM RUST NEAR THE FRONT ENGINE AND BY THE REAR SPRING HANGERS AND SHACKLES IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. MECHANICALLY IT RUNS AND DRIVES GREAT AND THE SHEET METAL AND INTERIOR IS EXCELLENT. THE FRAME IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE F…
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MY REPAIR GARAGE CALLED ME IN TO LOOK AT THE FRAME ON MY 1999 FORD RANGER. THE FRAME WAS DETERIORATED SO BADLY FROM RUST NEAR THE FRONT ENGINE AND BY THE REAR SPRING HANGERS AND SHACKLES IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. MECHANICALLY IT RUNS AND DRIVES GREAT AND THE SHEET METAL AND INTERIOR IS EXCELLENT. THE FRAME IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE FOR A VEHICLE WHICH HAS BEEN GARAGED, WELL CARED FOR, AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN ONLY AN AVERAGE OF 6,125 MILES ANNUALLY. FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS!
GAS GAUGE IS INACCURATE - GAUGE INDICATED ALMOST 1/2 TANK OF GAS WHEN TRUCK RAN OUT OF GAS. *TR
ON 20 JANUARY 2015, APPROX 11:30PM WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE SINCE THE PREVIOUS EVENING, THE VEHICLE ALARM WENT ON IT'S OWN. I WENT AND TURNED IT OF F AND WHILE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY, I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING IMMEDIATELY THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I WENT INTO ACTION AND GOT THE HOOD OPEN…
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ON 20 JANUARY 2015, APPROX 11:30PM WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE SINCE THE PREVIOUS EVENING, THE VEHICLE ALARM WENT ON IT'S OWN. I WENT AND TURNED IT OF F AND WHILE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY, I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING IMMEDIATELY THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I WENT INTO ACTION AND GOT THE HOOD OPEN, I SAW FLAMES COMING FROM THE SWITCH AT THE END OF THE MASTER CYLINDER. I'VE NOTICED THE SWITCH BEFORE, I DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT DID, I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS PART OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. I MANAGED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE AT THAT POINT. THE SWITCH WAS COMPLETELY BURNED OUT, THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WAS BADLY CHARRED BUT DID NOT BURN THROUGH (THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS). THE FOLLOWING DAY I WAS SEARCHING FOR A REPLACEMENT SWITCH (F3TA-9F924-CA) AND FOUND OUT IT WAS CALLED: SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND HAS TO DO WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM. PLEASE NOTE THAT MY VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE CRUISE CONTROL. I FURTHER FOUND OUT THAT THE SWITCH IN QUESTION HAD BEEN THE CAUSE OR REPORTED TO BE THE CAUSE OF NUMEROUS VEHICLE FIRES WHILE PARKED AND NO KEY IN THE IGNITION. I CONTACTED A LOCAL FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO CAMPAIGN MESSAGES IN THE OASIS REPORTING (WHATEVER THAT IS). ALL I KNOW IS THAT THE SWITCH CAUGHT FIRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE WEB INDICATES THAT THE SWITCH APPEARS TO BE THE CAUSE OF NUMEROUS VEHICLE FIRES. I WAS LUCKY IN THAT I DECIDED TO FIND OUT WHY THE VEHICLE ALARM WENT ON, HAD I JUST TURNED IT OFF, AND GONE SOMEWHERE ELSE, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THE SWITCH SITUATION, IT APPEARS TO BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION. YOUR ASSISTANCE APPRECIATED. *TR
I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE 99 FORD RANGER, AND EVERY ONE I HAVE SEEN IS RUSTED OUT. FRAME, REAR BUMPER & BED. THERE ARE OTHER PLACES RUSTED BUT NOT AS BAD AS THE FRAME, RUSTED IN HALF, REAR BUMPER FELL OFF GOING DOWN THE ROAD, OTHER THINGA THAT BOLT UNDER THE BED FELL OUT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS RUSTED OUT. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
TOOK TO GET INSPECTED MECHANIC SAID FRAME WAS IN BAD SHAPE. I HAD 5 DIFFERENT PEOPLE TELL ME IT WAS BEYOND REPAIR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AN UNKNOWN SPEED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL BECOME ABNORMALLY HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED OR INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AN UNKNOWN SPEED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL BECOME ABNORMALLY HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED OR INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,784. UPDATED 06/10/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OVER 150,000 MILES. UPDATED 06/16/2014 *JS
THIS WINTER WHILE WASHING THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF MY 1999 RANGER, I NOTICED THE FRAME AT THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR SHOCK MOUNT IS RUSTED THROUGH. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION, I SEE THAT THE FRAME AT THE REAR BUMPER MOUNTS IS ALSO SEVERELY RUSTED. THE BED SUPPORTS THAT RUN PERPENDICULAR TO THE FRAME ARE ALSO SEVERELY RUSTED. *TR
Official recalls
407V336000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.