RoadVitals

1999 Ford Ranger

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
755
Latest Oct 22, 2021
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
10
Latest May 11, 2009
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
110
61 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 755 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Ford Ranger, most frequently naming the tires & wheels, body & structure and brakes categories. 10 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 301 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

10 campaigns cover this model year

View all 10

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
09E025000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

May 11, 2009
42,540 units potentially affected
The defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
DOPE, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
The defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
SABERSPORTView on NHTSA.gov
07V336000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Aug 3, 2007
3,600,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The 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.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 05S28View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 755
Suspension
Filed Oct 22, 2021

I was driving to the store around 1 month ago and I noticed the truck was trying to tail to the side as I was driving. I thought nothing of it until my Uncle Bobby noticed my rear shock was scraping the ground. We looked underneath to investigate and found both shock mounts completely rusted off and the frame in terrible shape. The truck itself barely has any rust other than the tailgate and bed floor. Also thought I should include that the hose that connect the gas tank and where you pump the gas is rusted to where every time I pump gas, a little drips out onto the floor. I was trying to find videos on how to fix it but came across a page that says Rangers have been recalled from the years 1995 to 2000 because of Toyota starting to make frames for them. *EDIT* Also would like to mention that the frame where the bumper attaches to on the driver side has cracked and now the bumper is sagging down .

NHTSA ID
11437821
Incident
Sep 21, 2021
Body & structure
Filed Jul 24, 2021

When washing the truck I noticed a crack in the left rear frame just aft of the forward leaf spring shackle.Vertical crack approx, 6" long and separating, frame severely rusted while the rest of the body has minimal rust.

NHTSA ID
11426295
Incident
Jul 24, 2021
Engine
Filed Jun 24, 2021

Motor rattling, knocking in transmission, exhaust sounded louder than usual, motor cut off and unable to start

NHTSA ID
11422130
Incident
May 24, 2021
Body & structure
Filed Apr 12, 2021

MY VEHICLE IS OTHERWISE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION BUT TRY IS FRAME IS VERY WORRISOME. THE RUST MAKES ME AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE CONFIDENTLY.

NHTSA ID
11407783
Incident
Apr 1, 2021
Mileage
208,991 mi
Filed Mar 9, 2021

FRAME AND CROSS MEMBERS ALONG WITH THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER ALL ROTTED OUT?, AS DO ALL THE FORD RANGERS AND FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, AT LEAST TOYOTA CAME TO THE PLATE FOR THEIR OWNERS. GREAT TRUCK EXCEPT FOR THE ROTTING FRAME ISSUES. FOUND THIS OUT BY HEARING A CRACK ONE DAY AND WHEN CHECKING FOUND A CRACK IN FRAME BY LEFT REAR WHEEL , AND ALSO WHEN LOOKING FOUND A CRACK AND HOLE BY LEFT REAR SHOCK MOUNT, WHEN PULLING THIS APART TO FIX IT, ALSO FOUND A GAS TANK STRAP BROKEN OFF, AFTER PULLING TANK DOWN IT WAS FOUND THAT THE WHOLE CROSS MEMBER WAS ROTTED AND ALSO THE LEFT FRONT SIDE OF THE LEFT REAR FRAME RAIL.

NHTSA ID
11400046
Incident
Sep 1, 2015
Mileage
115 mi
Body & structureSteeringSuspension
Filed Dec 29, 2020

I WAS DRIVING WAS ABOUT 20 MPH AND HIT A SMALL POT HOLE. I HEARD A LOUD POP BANG NOISE AND THE LEFT SIDE OF TRUCK DROPPED ABOUT 2 OR 3 INCHES. I THOUGHT THE FRONT END FELL OFF. THE FRAME IS RUSTED SO BAD YOU CAN PUNCH HOLES IS THE FRAME WITH A SCREW DRIVER, THE DRIVER SIDE TORSION BAR HAS COLLAPSED DUE TO RUST ON THE FRAME THAT HOLDS IT IN PLACE, THE CROSSMEMBER TO TRANSMISSION IS BARLEY HOLDING TRANSMISSION UP, THE SPARE TIRE AREA IS RUSTED IN HALF, ALL MAIN CROSSMEMBERS ARE RUSTED IN HALF AND THE FRAME IS RUSTED IN HALF BEHIND FUEL TANK. TRUCK HAS 127K MILES AND THE BODY BODY HAS LITTLE TO NO RUST, UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS ARE UNSAFE FROM RUST. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE BODY CAN BE SO GOOD BUT FRAME AND SUSPENSION IS COMPLETELY RUSTED TO NO RETURN.

NHTSA ID
11385534
Incident
Nov 30, 2020
Mileage
127,642 mi
Filed Dec 20, 2019

REPLACED REAR SHACKLES DUE TO ROT, SPARE TIRE FRAME ROTTED OFF AND SPARE FELL OUT, WAS FIXING TRUCK AND NOTICED ROT HOLE IN FRAME BY LEFT REAR SHOCK WHEN REPLACING, SO THAT WAS REPAIRED AND ALSO NOTICED CRACK IN FRAME AND GAS TANK STRAP BROKEN. TOOK DOWN GAS TAK AND THE WHOLE FRAME ON LEFT SIDE WAS ROTTED AND READY TO BREAK IN HALF AND THE CROSSMEMBER IS ALL ROTTED OUT.

NHTSA ID
11290422
Incident
Sep 14, 2015
Mileage
115,000 mi
Fuel systemSuspension
Filed Sep 21, 2019

FRAME IS VERY RUSTED AND BIG HOLES IN THE FRAME. I THINK THERE IS A GAS LEAK AS WELL BUT THE FRAME IS VERY BAD.

NHTSA ID
11257158
Incident
Jul 10, 2019

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

CSP-08B01

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

FORD: CERTAIN 1999-2001 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES UP TO 6000 LB GVWR REGISTERED IN NEW YORK AND CERTAIN 2001 VEHICLES UP TO 6000 LB GVWR REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF MAINE, CERTIFIED FOR SALE IN CALIFORNIA-FEDERAL EMISSION WARRANTY REFUND. *PE

030508

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

FRONT AXLE LEAKS FLUID FROM VENT TUBE - VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4X4 OR AWD. *TT

042419

SUSPENSION:FRONT

REVISED PROCEDURE FOR ADJUSTING ALIGNMENT ON ALL SUSPENSIONS - NEW RIGHT HAND UPPER CONTROL ARM DESIGN FOR TORSION BAR FRONT SUSPENSIONS. *TT

042107

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT

04237

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

DRIVESHAFT THUMP CLUNK ON LIGHT ACCELERATION FROM STOP OR WHEN BRAKING AND COMING TO A STOP. *EH

04217

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

GENERAL POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford Ranger by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026460—
20253313062.0
20246813058.8
2023184058.5
2022375056.7
20211116064.1
20201257163.7
201926311059.1
2018000—
2017100—
2016100—
2015000—
2014100—
2013000—
2012000—
20112356053.5
20101569053.2
20091688051.6
20083256158.3
20072706159.9
200627112052.1
200528911362.3
200440412365.5
20032435160.5
20023467056.0
20015159263.3
20006708056.3
1999Viewing75510056.2
199857611161.4
19974117261.3
19964138055.9
19953217157.9
199443811161.3
199323210264.6
19921896163.9
19911326467.5
19901055366.3
1989733163.0
1988892266.4
1987505471.3
1986355775.0
1985273167.6
1984128169.0
1983117057.4
1979100—
1978100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.