Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Steering 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.
16
Latest Dec 29, 2020
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.
2%
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.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1
What this page shows
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. 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. 16 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 steering
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
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
EngineSteeringSuspension
Filed Dec 11, 2012
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT. AFTER A SHORT WHILE I COULD NOT MANAGE THE STEERING. WHEN I PULLED OVER IN THE BRAKEDOWN LANE I NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS TOED IN. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK CAME WE NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS CRACKED AND ROTTED AT BOTH WHEEL MOUNTS AND THE THE RIGHT FRONT MOUNT WAS THE WORSE. WE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE ALL ROTTED AND THE OVERALL FRONT SECTION OF THE FRAME WAS ROTTED WHICH PREVENTED ANY REPAIR. *TR
NHTSA ID
10487952
Incident
Nov 29, 2012
Mileage
189,341 mi
Body & structureSteering
Filed Apr 27, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF HER VEHICLE WAS ROTTED. SHE NOTICED A NEWS SOURCE STATING THAT THIS WAS A DANGEROUS ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP OTHER THAN THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,319. UPDATED 05/27/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING. UPDATED 05/28/09. *JB
NHTSA ID
10266822
Incident
Mar 27, 2009
Mileage
113,319 mi
AirbagsSteering
Filed Jun 3, 2005
DT: CONSUMER STATES: PINCH BOLT THAT HOLDS STEERING SHAFT TOGETHER FELL OUT OR BROKE, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN WITHOUT HAPPENING OR BROKE. TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD, THEY SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING. CURRENTLY, SENSOR LIGHT WAS ON FOR AIR BAG, AND THE CLOCK SPRING BROKE. FORD WILL CHARGE CONSUMER FOR REPAIRS. *AK
NHTSA ID
10124063
Incident
May 24, 2005
Mileage
47,000 mi
Steering
Filed May 7, 2004
DRIVING AND TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE RACK AND PINION ROD PULLED APART FROM THE TIE ROD END. RACK AND PINION ROD SEEMS TO HAVE EXCESSIVE RUST AND WEAR ON THE THREADED END. THE DAMAGE TO THE ROD END IS TOO SEVERE TO BE USED AGAIN. THE THREADS SEEM TO BE RUSTED OFF.*AK
NHTSA ID
10068475
Incident
May 7, 2004
Mileage
75,000 mi
ElectricalInterior & seatsSteering+1 more
Filed Apr 27, 2004
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE DOME LIGHT/AJAR LIGHT STAYED ON AFTER GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND LOCKING THE DOORS. STEERING COLUMN SMOKED, AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. *AK
NHTSA ID
10071689
Mileage
34,000 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Nov 28, 2003
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S BALL JOINTS AND BELT TENSIONERS. *MR THE CONSUMER EXPRESSED A CONCERN ABOUT THE AIR BAG NEEDING A DEACTIVATION SWITCH, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE MARYLAND STATE POLICE THE AIR BAG WAS DANGEROUS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FOR SMALL CHILDREN AND SHORT PEOPLE. *SCC THE CONSUMER TALKED ABOUT TWO VEHICLES IN THE COMPLAINT A 1992 FORD RANGER AND A 1999 FORD RANGER, THE 1999 RANGER WAS IN NEED OF A AIR BAG DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND THE 1992 RANGER HAD BELT TENSIONER AND IDLER ARM PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNED THE 1992 FORD RANGER BECAUSE IT WAS LOST IN A FLOOD *JB
NHTSA ID
10050190
BrakesDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Jun 13, 2002
VEHICLE WAS GOING 55MPH AND THE ENGINE STARTED RACING. RPM'S SHOT UP TO 6 ON THE GAUGE. VEHICLE ACCELERATION STOP, AND THERE WAS NO THROTTLE CONTROL. BRAKES WERE NOT AFFECTED. THE ABS, OVER DRIVE ,AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED. CONSUMER GOT TO A LOCAL GAS STATION AND DIAGNOSTIC READING READ REAR SENSOR WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMTION.*AK
NHTSA ID
8011742
Incident
Jun 8, 2002
ElectricalSteering
Filed Dec 31, 2001
Crash reportedFire reported
SPEED 25 MPH TRAVELING DOWN ICY, DIRT ROAD, LOST CONTROL AND STRUCK TREE ON PASSENGER SIDE IN FRONT OF DOOR. APPROX. 10 MIN. LATER CAR BURST INTO FLAMES AND IS NOW TOTAL DAMAGE, ALTHOUGH ORIGINAL DAMAGE WAS ONLY DENT TO FRONT QUARTER PANEL. *AK
NHTSA ID
756242
Incident
Dec 30, 2001
Steering
Filed Jul 15, 2001
I HAVE HAD MY TRUCK IN THE SHOP 15 TIMES FOR THE SAME THING, ALL THEY TELL ME IS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, AND I STILL CANT DRIVE IT !!!! I HAVE SPENT OVER $3,000 ON RENTAL CARS, CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME???????????????3000. NO SAFETY DEFECT STATED. *AK
NHTSA ID
748503
Incident
Dec 14, 1999
Steering
Filed Apr 11, 2001
STEERING WHEEL HAS TO BE TURNED A CERTAIN WAY IN ORDER TO START VEHICLE UP. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ID
885708
Incident
Apr 10, 2001
Steering
Filed Sep 12, 2000
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED CAUSING THE STEERING TO BECOME HARD TO MOVE, CONSUMER HAD A HARD TIME KEEPING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. NLM
NHTSA ID
554528
AirbagsSteering
Filed May 9, 2000
Crash reported1 injury reported
WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AT LEAST 6 TIMES, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE HAS PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *ML
NHTSA ID
861635
Incident
May 4, 2000
Steering
Filed Mar 6, 2000
Crash reported
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR SIDE IMPACT ACCIDENT OF 20 -25 MPH WHICH CAUSED THE FRONT SPINDLE TO SHATTER. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REPAIRS WERE BEING DONE. *AK
NHTSA ID
858040
Incident
Mar 3, 1999
Exterior lightingPowertrain (other)Steering+1 more
Filed Dec 15, 1999
WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH INOPERATIVE. YH
NHTSA ID
550009
Incident
Sep 13, 1999
SteeringSuspension
Filed Nov 16, 1998
CONSUMER SAYS WHEN MAKING LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS THE POWER STEERING STICKS AND MAKES IT HARD TO RETRACT THE WHEEL. CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH SUSPENSION, UNUSUAL NOISES AND BUMPY RIDE. *AK.ET.
NHTSA ID
830860
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