NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
755 reportsMileage unknown · Feb 28, 2000
Seat Belts
I FEEL THAT I WAS LIED TO, AT TIME OF PURCHASE, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE RANGER WAS SAFE TO BUCKLE CHILDREN (INFANT CAR SEATS) IN THE BACK, BY THE DEALER, THIS WAS A LIE. THE SEAT BELTS COME FROM THE REAR DOORS, WHICH IF IN A COLLISION THE DOORS WERE TO OPEN,(WHICH THEY WOULD) THE PERSON IN THE FRONT SEATS WOULD BE CUT IN HALF, AND…
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I FEEL THAT I WAS LIED TO, AT TIME OF PURCHASE, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE RANGER WAS SAFE TO BUCKLE CHILDREN (INFANT CAR SEATS) IN THE BACK, BY THE DEALER, THIS WAS A LIE. THE SEAT BELTS COME FROM THE REAR DOORS, WHICH IF IN A COLLISION THE DOORS WERE TO OPEN,(WHICH THEY WOULD) THE PERSON IN THE FRONT SEATS WOULD BE CUT IN HALF, AND THE CHILDREN WOULD BE THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE BY THE DOORS.THE DEALERSHIP, NOR FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, I HAVE COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES. THEY WANT ME TO PAY OVER $8000 TO GET OUT OF MY LEASE, WE ARE A FAMILY OF 4 (2 BEING INFANTS), EVERY DAY I DRIVE THIS TRUCK I WORRY ABOUT WHAT COULD HAPPEN. I 'M TIRED OF BEING IGNORED, ALL THEY WANT IS THERE PAYMENTS AND I HAVE TO PAY THEM TO KEEP FROM DAMAGING MY CREDIT ANY WORSE. PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE MY REQUEST, TAKE A LOOK AT THESE TRUCKS THEY ARE UNSAFE, MY TRUCK IS LESS THAN TWO YEARS OLD AND THE REAR DOORS DO NOT CLOSE PROPERLY, THIS TRUCK AS NEVER BEEN ABUSED. I CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER CAR, FORD KEEPS TELLING ME I'M STUCK WITH IT. I'M NOT GONNA GIVE UP, PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THESE TRUCKS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #719423
Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2000
Electrical System
ELECTRICAL WIRE BURNED BY THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING 4X4 SYSTEM, OVERDRIVE AND BACK LIGHTS NOT TO WORK, WIRE REPLACED NOW ALL SYSTEMS WORKING FINE. *ET
NHTSA ODI #784517
Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2000
Electrical System
WITHIN A 2 MONTH PERIOD I HAVE EXPERIENCED 3 SEPARATE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. 1ST INCIDENT WAS A SURGING WHEN DEFROST WAS ON. DEALER REPLACED ALL SPARK PLUG WIRES AND SAID THAT IS WAS ARCING AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE OR WORSE. 2ND WAS THE GAS GAUGE WAS NOT WORKING. DEALER IS REPLACING FUEL SENDER. 3RD WAS 4X4 AND OVERDRIVE N…
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WITHIN A 2 MONTH PERIOD I HAVE EXPERIENCED 3 SEPARATE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. 1ST INCIDENT WAS A SURGING WHEN DEFROST WAS ON. DEALER REPLACED ALL SPARK PLUG WIRES AND SAID THAT IS WAS ARCING AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE OR WORSE. 2ND WAS THE GAS GAUGE WAS NOT WORKING. DEALER IS REPLACING FUEL SENDER. 3RD WAS 4X4 AND OVERDRIVE NOT WORKING. DEALER INITIALLY REPLACED BLOWN FUSE, BUT 2 DAYS LATER WAS BLOWN AGAIN AND DEALER IS CURRENTLY REPLACING "WIRING" IN STEERING COLUMN THAT WAS SHORTING. TRUCK IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERS. VERY UNSATISFIED!!! VERY NERVOUS ABOUT THE CONTINUING ELECTICAL PROBLEMS AND INCOMPLETE EXPLANATIONS FROM THE DEALER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #718929
Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES ON WET PAVEMENT FRONT BRAKES LOCK UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO COME TO A VERY ABRUPT STOP. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #856912
Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2000
Visibility
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK ERRATICALLY, THEY COME ON WHEN THEY ARE NOT NEEDED WITHOUT BEING ACTIVATED. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #856790
Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2000
Structure
RUNNING BOARDS ARE UNSAFE. THEY ARE LOCATED TOO FAR UNDER THE VEHICLE, MAKING THEM VERY AWKWARD AND DANGEROUS TO USE, FORCING THE OCCUPANT TO TWIST THEIR ANKLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE, THEY ARE NOT VISIBLE FROM THE INTERIOR, FORCING THE OCCUPANT TO GUESS WHERE THEY ARE, WHICH MAKES THEM USELESS AND DANGE…
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RUNNING BOARDS ARE UNSAFE. THEY ARE LOCATED TOO FAR UNDER THE VEHICLE, MAKING THEM VERY AWKWARD AND DANGEROUS TO USE, FORCING THE OCCUPANT TO TWIST THEIR ANKLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE, THEY ARE NOT VISIBLE FROM THE INTERIOR, FORCING THE OCCUPANT TO GUESS WHERE THEY ARE, WHICH MAKES THEM USELESS AND DANGEROUS. BECAUSE THE STEPS ARE NOT VISIBLE FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE, SMALL CHILDREN CAN EASILY MISS THE STEP AND FALL FROM THE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #718693
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2000
Latches/locks/linkagesService Brakes, Hydraulic
TAILGATE LATCH IS BROKEN. NLM
NHTSA ODI #550823
Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AND WAS FORCED INTO THE GUARDRAIL, THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE HAD A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE AND THE BRAKE PAD ON FRONT WAS COMPLETELY WORN DOWN, THE PINS IN THE CALIPER HAD GOTTEN RUST ON THEM AND WERE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, THIS WAS POSSIBLY THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #784475
Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2000
Power Train
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS: TRANSMISSION SHUTTERS AND SHAKES CAR VIOLENTLY AT START OF ACCELERATION, AND IN BETWEEN SOME GEARS. TRANSMISSION CLUNK INTO GEAR INTERMITENTLY. SHUTTERS AT BRAKING AS TRANSMISSION IS GEARING DOWN. PROBLEM WAS SO BAD. IN SHOP 42 DAYS TOTAL. DEALER (PEYTON CREAMER) TRIED TO FIX. COULD NOT. AFTER FILING UNDER…
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TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS: TRANSMISSION SHUTTERS AND SHAKES CAR VIOLENTLY AT START OF ACCELERATION, AND IN BETWEEN SOME GEARS. TRANSMISSION CLUNK INTO GEAR INTERMITENTLY. SHUTTERS AT BRAKING AS TRANSMISSION IS GEARING DOWN. PROBLEM WAS SO BAD. IN SHOP 42 DAYS TOTAL. DEALER (PEYTON CREAMER) TRIED TO FIX. COULD NOT. AFTER FILING UNDER CA LEMON LAW TO GET A REPLACEMENT VEHICAL, FORD OFFERED ME A BUY BACK OF MY VEHICAL. I ACCEPTED. I NOW HAVE A NEW TRUCK AND IT TOO IS DOING MOST OF THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I NO LONGER OWN THIS 1999 TRUCK BUT DO STILL OWN THE 2000 TRUCK WHICH I TOO HAVE MADE A COMPLANINT ON. DEALER IS PRETTY MUCH REFUSING TO HAVE MY TRUCK IN THIER SHOP ANY MORE UNLESS THEY HEAR FROM FORD.
NHTSA ODI #718275
Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2000
Power Train
WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE INTO 3RD GEAR VEHICLE GRINDS AND SLOWS DOWN. DEALER REBUILT TRANSMISSION, AND THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #855589
Official recalls
4Aug 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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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