Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1999 Ford Ranger, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Tires178
- Structure89
- Service brakes, hydraulic80
- Air bags79
- Visibility73
- Power train67
- Suspension67
- Vehicle speed control54
- Engine and engine cooling45
- Electrical system39
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 61 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 107 1999 Ranger vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 79 people died inside them, and 34 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1999 Ford Ranger failed the safety check 2.16% of the time — 23% more often than the average 1999 passenger car (1.76%). Median odometer at inspection: 152,419 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 217 of these cars first registered in 1999 took their annual MOT test. 59% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 1999 the figure was 63%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 1999 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 22.6% | 16.6% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 15.7% | 9.3% |
| Suspension | 12.9% | 13.1% |
| Brakes | 12.4% | 12.2% |
| Visibility | 7.8% | 6.9% |
| Steering | 6.9% | 3.7% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 18 variants: combined 10.8–20.9 L/100 km (about 11–22 mpg US), CO₂ 248–357 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ranger · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 12.0 | 9.4 | 10.8 |
| Ranger · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 13.2 | 10.4 | 11.9 |
| Ranger FFV · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 14.9 | 11.1 | 13.2 |
| Ranger · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 15.1 | 11.4 | 13.5 |
| Ranger · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 15.6 | 11.1 | 13.6 |
| Ranger 4X4 FFV · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 15.0 | 11.9 | 13.6 |
| Ranger · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 15.5 | 11.4 | 13.7 |
| Ranger 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 15.5 | 11.9 | 13.9 |
| Ranger · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 16.2 | 11.3 | 14.0 |
| Ranger FFV · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 15.9 | 11.7 | 14.0 |
| Ranger 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 15.9 | 12.3 | 14.3 |
| Ranger 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 16.5 | 12.5 | 14.7 |
| Ranger 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 16.4 | 12.8 | 14.8 |
| Ranger 4X4 FFV · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 17.4 | 13.1 | 15.5 |
| Ranger FFV · Pickup truck: Standard · E85 ethanol | 19.9 | 14.9 | 17.6 |
| Ranger 4X4 FFV · Pickup truck: Standard · E85 ethanol | 19.7 | 15.9 | 18.0 |
| Ranger FFV · Pickup truck: Standard · E85 ethanol | 21.7 | 15.9 | 19.1 |
| Ranger 4X4 FFV · Pickup truck: Standard · E85 ethanol | 23.1 | 18.2 | 20.9 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
5 Transport Canada recalls for the 1999 Ford Ranger.
| 2007258 7 Aug 2007 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. The failure mode appears t… |
| 2001045 1 Mar 2001 | Structure On certain Ranger Electric vehicles, the bolts that attach the transaxle to the vehicle may loosen and the driver may notice a jerking motion and/or a clunking … |
| 1999143 30 Jul 1999 | Powertrain On certain Ranger Electric vehicles, the transaxle may have been manufactured with the park detent spring misaligned. If the spring is misaligned, the park mec… |
| 1999061 15 Apr 1999 | Engine On certain vehicles, the speed control cable may interfere with the speed control servo pulley and not allow the throttle to return to idle when disengaging the… |
| 1998175 8 Sept 1998 | Fuel System AN "O" RING ON THE FUEL INJECTOR DAMPER ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY. THIS COULD RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN … |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 1999 Ford Ranger: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 637922 | SOME VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 9/15/2001 MAY EXHIBIT LOW LINE PRESSURE READINGS WHILE IN DRIVE, NO 2ND GEAR, NO 3RD GEAR, NO ENGINE BRAKING IN MANUAL 1ST AND SLIPPING SHIFTS AND / OR DELAYED ENGAGEMENTS. *TT |
| 637755 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A NO 1-2 UPSHIFT, NO 2-3 UPSHIFT, A NO ENGINE BRAKING CONDITION IN MANUAL 1 OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0732 (GEAR 2 INCORRECT RATIO) OR P0733 (GEAR 3 INCORRECT RATIO). *TT |
| 637710 | SOME VEHICLES WITH 4WABS MAY EXHIBIT DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES C1233 AND C1234 (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SENSOR OUTPUT FAILURE). *TT |
| 636326 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A SQUEAK, SNAP, RATTLE, OR CLUNK IN THE FRONT END WHEN TURNING OR GOING OVER BUMPS. *TT |
| 636235 | EXPERIENCING A CLICKING / POPPING NOISE FROM THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN AREA WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. *TT |
| 636118 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.0L GASOLINE ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT AN ENGINE QUIT UPON INITIAL STARTING OF THE ENGINE WITH A NORMAL RESTART AND RUN ON THE SUBSEQUENT ATTEMPT. *TT |
| 636065 | INFORMATION REGARDING DISCHARGED BATTERY CHARGING SERVICE TIPS AND GUIDELINES. *TT |
| 636056 | CERTAIN VEHICLES WITH 4X4 OR ALL-WHEEL DRIVE MAY HAVE A FLUID LEAK FROM THE FRONT AXLE VENT TUBE. *TT |
| 636047 | HOOTING, EEKING OR MOANING NOISE COMING FROM THE CLUTCH WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. *TT |
| 635998 | LOW LINE PRESSURE READING AT WIDE OPEN THROTTLE (WOT), SLIPPING SHIFTS AND / OR DELAYED ENGAGEMENTS WITH POSSIBLE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0732, P0733, P1762 SET ON VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 12/1/2001. *TT |
| 630653 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT DRIVEABILITY CONDITIONS AND / OR CHECK ENGINE LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE P0455 (GROSS LEAK DETECTED). *TT |
| 630562 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5/3.0L ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A SURGE, HESITATION, ROUGH IDLE OR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0171, P0174, P0175. *TT |
| 630515 | ENGINE OIL SYSTEM PRIMING PROCEDURES, SERVICE TIPS FOR REPORTS OF PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. *TT |
| 630026 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT DRIVEABILTY CONDITIONS AND/OR CHECK ENGINE LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0455 (GROSS LEAK DETECTED). *TT |
| 628153 | OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM SUPPLEMENT 7 REVISED INFORMATION - REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF WILDERNESS AT TIRES. *TT |
| 627927 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT VACUUM OR AIR LEAKS IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND / OR ENGINE SYSTEM CAUSING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0171 AND OR P0174. *TT |
| 627774 | SOME IGNITION SWITCH LOCK CYLINDER ASSEMBLIES MAY EXHIBIT ROUGNESS AND / OR EXCESS EFFORT IN TURNING, KEY DOES NOT FULLY RETURN FROM START, A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP MAY ILLUMINATE WITH P0500, P1502 AND U1039 STORED IN POWERTRIAN CONTROL MODULE (PCM). *TT |
| 627756 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV ENGINES MAY EXHIBIT A LOUD A/C CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT. *TT |
| 627752 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.0L OHV ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT AN ENGINE NOISE WHICH MAY BE PERCEIVED BY THE CUSTOMER AS A PISTON / ONNECTING ROD BEARING KNOCK. *TT |
| 627683 | ON SOME ELECTRIC AND ELECTRIC POSTAL VEHICLES, DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE B2785 TRACTION INVERTER MODULE (TIM) MAY BE SET AND THE VEHICLE WILL ENTER A POWER LIMITED MODE OF OPERATION. *TT |
| 625777 | SOME EV VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A/C INOPEATIVE OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES RELATED TO A/C SYSTEM. *TT |
| 625775 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.0L OHV ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT AN ENGINE NOISE THAT MAY BE PERCEIVED BY THE CUSTOMER A S ADIESEL TYPE NOISE AND IS KNOWN AS MARBLE NOISE. *TT |
| 625715 | BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK.*JB |
| 625700 | INFORMATION ON CLIMATE CONTROL, LOUD A/C CLUTCH CYCLING NOISE.*JB |
| 625018 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT SURGE, HESITATION, ROUGH IDLE OR MALFUNCTION NDICATOR LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0171, P0172, NP0174, P0175. *ET |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)