RoadVitals

1999 Ford Ranger Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints 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.
89
Latest Jul 24, 2021
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
12%
of 755 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1999 Ford Ranger submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 89 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming body or structure

The 25 most recent of 89, in the owner's own words

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
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
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
Body & structure
Filed Jan 3, 2019

I HAVE A 1999 FORD RANGER AND THE FRAME IS SHOT STARTING TO CRACK IT'S SO THIN AND LIKE POST I CAN ALMOST BEND IT WITH MY HANDS .

NHTSA ID
11165572
Incident
Jan 1, 2019
Mileage
199,455 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 13, 2018

SPARE TIRE FELL OFF IN STREET, THEN GAS TANK, WHOLE FRAME IS ROTTEN, WAS DRIVING DOWN A ROAD,

NHTSA ID
11151261
Incident
Nov 12, 2018
Mileage
156,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Aug 20, 2018

THE FRAME IS RUSTING AWAY. BOTH LEAF SPRING SHACKLES RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH, MUFFLER HANGERS ALL RUSTED OFF LOST MY MUFFLER ON A ROAD.

NHTSA ID
11121059
Incident
Jul 1, 2017
Mileage
150,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Feb 1, 2018

FRAME RUST UNDER DRIVERS AND RIDERS DOORS. REST OF TRUCK LOOKS BEAUTIFUL AND I TAKE GREAT CARE OF THE TRUCK!!!

NHTSA ID
11066204
Incident
Jan 15, 2018
Mileage
184,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 22, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR SECTION OF THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,000.

NHTSA ID
11056108
Incident
Aug 1, 2017
Mileage
192,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 25, 2017

DRIVERS SIDE FRAME HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. FOUND DURING INSPECTION.

NHTSA ID
11048370
Incident
Nov 12, 2017
Mileage
99,500 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 3, 2017

REAR FRAME AND REAR CROSS MEMBER HAVE RUSTED OUT.. THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER IS UNUSABLE. VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR FRAME REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ID
11043092
Incident
Nov 1, 2016
Mileage
214,013 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 26, 2017

FRAME ROT... THE FRAME HAS RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE-OUT IN THE SAME PLACE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE: UNDER THE MOST-FRONT PART OF EACH DOOR (KEEP IN MIND THIS IS THE FRAME I'M TALKING ABOUT, NOT ANY KIND OF DOOR SUPPORT OR FRAMING... THIS IS THE SECTION OF BODY FRAME THAT IS LOCATED UNDERNEATH EACH DOOR ON THE VEHICLE). THE FRAME HAS RUSTED AND BEGUN TO SPLIT HORIZONTALLY (THE LENGTH OF THE VEHICLE) AND VERTICALLY (FROM THE GROUND-UP). WHEN LIFTING THE VEHICLE IN CERTAIN PLACES, THE FRAME CAN BE SEEN BENDING, OBVIOUSLY. BECAUSE OF THIS I CAN ONLY JACK/LIFT THE VEHICLE FROM THE VERY FRONT... ALL OTHER PLACES THAT I'VE TRIED TO LIFT FROM RESULT IN TOO MUCH WEIGHT BEING PUT ON THOSE WEAK POINTS. I AM NOW VERY SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING A NEW FRAME, WHICH IS A LOT OF MONEY... OR, AT THE VERY LEAST, A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT TO PULL A FRAME OFF OF A VEHICLE FROM A JUNKYARD, THEN PUT IT ON MY VEHICLE (OR RATHER, PUT MY VEHICLE ON IT). FRAME FAILURE COULD RESULT IN CATASTROPHE OR DEATH, AND THIS FRAME IS IN VERY BAD SHAPE COMPARED TO MOST VEHICLES IT'S AGE (AND MANY THAT ARE OLDER).

NHTSA ID
10980901
Incident
Apr 26, 2017
Mileage
140,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 18, 2017

MY 1999 FORD RANGER JUST FAILED INSPECTION FOR STRUCTURAL REASONS. TRUCK RUNS PERFECT WITH ONLY 107K MILES ON IT. THE TRUCK IS ROTTING AWAY !! GAS TANK FALLING OFF. REAR BUMPER FALLING OFF. TAIL GATE ROTTED. SIGNIFICANT ROT IN FRAME AND SHOCKS. SPARE TIRE READY TO JUST FALL FROM CHEAP STRAP THAT IS ROTTED. THIS REALLY IS UNSAFE SITUATION. I CALLED FORD AND FILED COMPLAINT BUT WAS TOLD NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD!! A HAPPY CUSTOMER TELLS 2 PEOPLE,AN UNHAPPY CUSTOMER TELLS 100 PEOPLE. I REALLY CAN NOT BELIEVE THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT RECALLED. VERY UNSAFE.

NHTSA ID
10966692
Incident
Mar 15, 2017
Mileage
107,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 12, 2017

FRAME RUSTED INTO

NHTSA ID
10944675
Incident
Jan 2, 2017
Mileage
195,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 9, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST NEAR THE REAR FRAME CLOSE TO THE LEAF SPRINGS. THERE WAS ALSO EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT FURTHER INSPECTED THE REAR FRAME AND DETERMINED THAT IT FRACTURED DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS REMAINED PARKED IN THE CONTACT'S DRIVEWAY SINCE THE FAILURE WAS IDENTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10934248
Incident
Mar 3, 2014
Body & structure
Filed Nov 16, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FRAME FELL OFF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10926538
Incident
Nov 2, 2016
Mileage
100,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 7, 2016

THE BED IS RUSTING OFF THE FORD RANGER PT . TO WHERE , THE BED NEEDS TO BE REMOVED FROM THE BACK , AND REDONE !!! THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT MADE WELL FOR CUSUMERS PPL CAN'T ALWAYS AFFORD WHAT THE COMPANY HAS DONE . ITS NOT FAIR TOO PUT A VEHICLE OUT AND WE HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR FORDS POOR WORK WHEN MAKING THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
10924592
Incident
Nov 7, 2016
Body & structure
Filed Sep 16, 2016

PERFORATED FRAME ON THE LEFT REAR FRAME NEAR THE FRONT OF THE LEAF SPRING, REAR FRAME HORN WHERE BUMPER ATTACHES IS PERFORATED ALSO. SECTIONS OF FRAME WILL HAVE TO BE WELDED IN TO KEEP VEHICLE IN A SAFE CONDITION.

NHTSA ID
10907260
Incident
Sep 16, 2016
Mileage
76,500 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Aug 30, 2016

THE FRAME AT THE RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION POCKET RUSTED OUT. UPPER CONTROL ARM REAR BRACKET IS COMPLETELY DETACHED. DROVE THE TRUCK TO MY DESTINATION WITH NO ISSUES, ON THE RETURN TRIP IT FELT "FLOATY" AS IF IT WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A TOWN ROAD. THERE WAS NO BUMP OR AUDIBLE NOISE PRIOR TO OR ACCOMPANYING THE ISSUE. BODY HAS VERY MINIMAL RUST, THE REST OF THE FRAME APPEARS SOLID. TRUCK HAS 104,660 MILES.

NHTSA ID
10899610
Incident
Aug 7, 2016
Mileage
104,660 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 8, 2016

MY COMPLAINT IS JUST HOW RUSTED AWAY THE FRAME IS ON MY 1999 RANGER, THE BODY OF THE TRUCK IS REAL NICE. BUT THE FRAME IS RUSTING AWAY, THE REAR BUMPER BROKE OFF ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, THE SPARE TIRE CAN NO LONGER BE MOUNTED UNDERNEATH WHERE IT BELONGS, DUE TO THE RUST. THE FRAME RAIL HAS A FOOT LONG RUST HOLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE DRIVERS SIDE RAIL IS CRACKED AND RUSTED ALMOST IN TWO PIECES. JUST SEEMS LIKE THE FRAME IS TOTALLY RUSTING AWAY, NEVER HAD A VEHICLE WITH THIS KIND OF RUST PROBLEM. I AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ID
10873304
Incident
Oct 25, 2015
Mileage
98,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 30, 2016

FRAME AND FRAME SUPPORTS HAVE RUSTED QUICKLY OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. MORE THAN I WOULD EXPECT.

NHTSA ID
10871466
Incident
May 30, 2016
Body & structureFuel system
Filed Feb 2, 2016

MY FRAME IS RUSTING OUT! I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS FILLING MY GAS TANK SO I BROUGHT IT IN TO THE SHOP TO FIND THAT WHERE THE GAS TANK SUPPORTS ATTACHED TO THE FRAME HAD RUSTED OUT. MY GAS TANK WAS HANGING ON BY A THREAD. I HAD TO HAVE THE WHOLE THING REMOVED, REPAIRED, AND REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
10823731
Incident
Jan 29, 2016
Mileage
120,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Aug 12, 2015

MY 1999 FORD RANGER FRAME IS RUSTING IN SEVERAL LOCATION WHICH WILL MAKE IT VERY UNSAFE THE BODY LOOKS BRAND NEW BUT THE FRONT FRAME AND REAR FRAME ARE RUSTING AWAY. THE SHOCKS ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE ARE ABOUT THE BREAK THROUGH THE SUPPORT AND THE UPPER CONTROL ARM IS ABOUT THE BREAK OFF.

NHTSA ID
10748050
Incident
Aug 10, 2015
Mileage
116,503 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Jul 27, 2015

UPON INSPECTION MECHANIC SAID "SHACKLES , FRAME, LEAFSPRINGS, ALL RUSTED AND TRUCK WILL NOT LAST. MOTOR RUNS GREAT, BODY NO RUST.

NHTSA ID
10743905
Incident
Jul 10, 2015
Mileage
104,000 mi
Body & structureFuel system
Filed Oct 10, 2014

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

NHTSA ID
10643835
Incident
Oct 4, 2011
Body & structure
Filed Sep 10, 2014

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.

NHTSA ID
10632084
Incident
Feb 13, 2013
Mileage
143,000 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .