IllustrationWHEN DRIVING AT 50 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THEY WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE, RESULTIN GIN A CRASH. *AK
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 reportsAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE TRYING TO ACCLERATE. BUT IT JUST REVVED THE ENGINE AND THE ABS BRAKING CAME ON WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE THE OIL FILTER, I APPARENTLY BUMPED A WIRE ON THE STARTER CAUSING IT TO ENGAGE. LUCKY THE PARKING BRAKE HELD LETTING IT MOVE ONLY A SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE DISTROYING THE STARTER. I RECEIVED SEVERAL INJURIES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO GET FREE OF THE VEHICLE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. IN INSPECTING THE INCIDENT…
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WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE THE OIL FILTER, I APPARENTLY BUMPED A WIRE ON THE STARTER CAUSING IT TO ENGAGE. LUCKY THE PARKING BRAKE HELD LETTING IT MOVE ONLY A SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE DISTROYING THE STARTER. I RECEIVED SEVERAL INJURIES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO GET FREE OF THE VEHICLE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. IN INSPECTING THE INCIDENT AFTERWARDS I FOUND THAT BY MOVING THE WIRE LESS THAN TEN THOUSANDS OF AN INCH THE STARTER CAN BE ENGAGED WITH THE IGNITION OFF. IF OIL HAD BEEN PRESENT AT THE TIME, A MAJOR FIRE COULD HAVE OCCURRED TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE WAS $240 FOR LABOR AND NEW STARTED. THE DEALER HAS AGREED TO CONTACT THE FORD SERVICE AGENT, BUT NO ASSURANCE THAT IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. IF NOTHING ELSE PLEASE WARN OTHER OWNERS OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GET KILLED. THANK YOU. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON, THE WIPERS PAUSE WITHOUT INDICATION. THIS OCCURS IN SNOWY OR COLD CONDITIONS, THE WIPER MOTOR FREEZES. DEALER SUGGESTED TO POUR HOT WATER DOWN AROUND MOTOR TO FIX. *AK *ML
THE CIRCUIT BREAKER THAT CONTROLS THE AIR FLOW INTO THE ENGINE HAS A MALFUNCTION WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO RUN PRIME, DUMPING GAS ONTO THE CATALAYTIC CONVERTER. THIS IS CAUSING OVERHEATING OF THE CONVERTER, AND COULD ALSO LEAD TO AN FIRE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
THE COOLING SYSTEM HAS NOT BEEN RESTORED TO ORIGINAL PERFORMANCE. THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATES THAT NORMAL OPERATING RANGE IS THE AREA OF THE GAUGE THAT IS BELOW THE RED. THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS AS LONG AS THE RED AREA HAS NOT BEEN REACHED BY THE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR.
MOTOR WHEN HOT WILL START A BANGING NOISE, AND WHEN TURNED OFF THE NOISE WILL CONTINUE. PROBLEM OCCURRED FOR THREE MONTHS. DEALER CONTACTED, AND CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
REAR DOORS ON THE EXTENDED CAB 4-DOOR OPTION WERE LOOSE CAUSING WIND NOISE.
THE AUTOMATIC TRANS SLIPS WHEN COLD WHILE ENGAGING IN DRIVE. THE OTHER DAY WHEN I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND PUT IT IN DRIVE, TRANSMISSION TOOK OVER 10 SECONDS TO ENGAGE. THE TRUCK CONTINUED BACKWARDS UNTIL I HIT THE BRAKES, AND WAITED FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME WHEN IT GET'S ABOUT 40 DEGREES AND…
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THE AUTOMATIC TRANS SLIPS WHEN COLD WHILE ENGAGING IN DRIVE. THE OTHER DAY WHEN I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND PUT IT IN DRIVE, TRANSMISSION TOOK OVER 10 SECONDS TO ENGAGE. THE TRUCK CONTINUED BACKWARDS UNTIL I HIT THE BRAKES, AND WAITED FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME WHEN IT GET'S ABOUT 40 DEGREES AND BELOW.
THE BACK WINDOW LEAKS WATER ON MY NEW 99 FORD RANGER. THIS MAKES ALL OF THE WINDOWS FOGGY/EXTEMELY BAD, FOR THE ADDED MOISTURE, AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH A FORD DEALER FOR 2 WEEKS, BUT THEY KEEP TELLING ME TO WAIT FOR THE PARTS TO ARRIVE. *AK
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.