RoadVitals

1999 Ford Ranger Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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
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
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Nov 16, 1998

What this page shows

Our database holds 755 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Ford Ranger. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 755 · page 1 of 31

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
Filed Apr 9, 2019

I AM UPSET THAT THIS TIRE SHOP SOLD ME TIRES THAT HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED. I PAID 312.00 FOR TWO TIRES AND WHEN I WENT TO BUY TWO MORE I WAS TOLD THEY WERE DISCONTINUED. THEIR IS NO WARRANTY EXCEPT A MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY. I WANTED TO GET ALL 4 THE SAME. THAT IS MY COMPLAINT

NHTSA ID
11194852
Incident
Feb 28, 2019
Mileage
250,000 mi
Filed Mar 14, 2019

RUSTED OUT STRAPS AND MOUNTS TO THE GAS TANK AND OTHER MAJOR RUST DAMAGE TO THE UNDERSIDE OF TRUCK DO NOT KNOW IF SHOULD REPAIR OR NOT

NHTSA ID
11186835
Incident
Mar 1, 2019
Engine
Filed Jan 31, 2019
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD AND FLAMES SURROUNDING THE ENGINE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED AND WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED A CASE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000. *BF.* CONSUMER STATED FIRE IGNITED UNDER THE HOOD IN BOTH CASES DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECT. FOR ODI 11173289 AND 11173291. CONSUMER HAS FILED A LAWSUIT.*JB

NHTSA ID
11173289
Incident
Dec 15, 2018
Mileage
200,000 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
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 24, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT ROLLED INTO A NEIGHBOR'S YARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BORMAN AUTOPLEX (470 W BOUTZ RD, LAS CRUCES, NM 88005, 575-525-4500) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

NHTSA ID
11122136
Incident
Aug 17, 2018
Mileage
200,000 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
Airbags
Filed May 9, 2018

"TAKATA RECALL" WE CONTINUE TO RECEIVE NOTICE THAT AIR BAGS NEED REPLACEMENT. HAVE BEEN TOLD WE ARE ON WAITING LIST AND THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON AND WHEN THEY COME IN WE WILL BE NOTIFIED. AS OF YET THIS HAS NOT HAPENED. THIS WEEK NOTICE IN THE NEWS AND ON WEB SITES OF FORD AND TAKATA AND YOUR SITE SUGGESTS THAT THESE VEHICLES NOT BE DRIVEN. WHAT ARE WE TO DO? WE HAVE CONTINUED TO TAKE ARE VEHICLES INTO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO KEEP THEM MAINTAINED AND IN GOOD WORKING ORDER, WE ARE GIVEN NO SOLUTION OF A REPLACEMENT OR OPTION OF DEACTIVATION OF THE DEVICE UNTIL A REPLACEMENT IS AVAILABLE AND NOT EVEN AN OPTION FOR PURCHASE OF A REPLACEMENT. PLEASE HELP ALL OUR VEHICLES ARE FORDS ALL ON RECALL WE SHOULD NOT BE FORCED TO DRIVE ACTIVATED BOMBS

NHTSA ID
11092754
Incident
May 9, 2018
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
BrakesPowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Jan 30, 2018

GAS PETAL IS TOO CLOSE TO BRAKES...AND IF NOT CAREFUL RIGHT FOOT HITS BOTH.CAUSING A ROARING OF ACCELERATION , WHILE TRYING TO STOP VEHICLE.VERY DANGEROUS!

NHTSA ID
11065807
Incident
Jan 26, 2018
Mileage
178,000 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
Filed Jul 1, 2017

REAR FRAME OF TRUCK HAS RUSTED SO MUCH THAT SPARE TIRE FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING, AND HAS A HOLE NEAR REAR DRIVER'S SIDE LEAF SPRING SHACKLE AND WILL NOT PASS NY STATE INSPECTION.

NHTSA ID
11002631
Incident
Jun 26, 2017
Mileage
174,600 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
Engine
Filed Mar 22, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD OVERHEAT AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD INCREASE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. TO REDUCE THE TEMPERATURE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED OR THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERMOSTAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

NHTSA ID
10967735
Incident
Mar 15, 2016
Mileage
136,000 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

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