1999 Ford Ranger
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1983 | 11 |
| 1984 | 12 |
| 1985 | 27 |
| 1986 | 35 |
| 1987 | 50 |
| 1988 | 89 |
| 1989 | 73 |
| 1990 | 105 |
| 1991 | 132 |
| 1992 | 189 |
| 1993 | 232 |
| 1994 | 438 |
| 1995 | 321 |
| 1996 | 413 |
| 1997 | 411 |
| 1998 | 576 |
| 1999 | 755 |
| 2000 | 670 |
| 2001 | 515 |
| 2002 | 346 |
| 2003 | 243 |
| 2004 | 404 |
| 2005 | 289 |
| 2006 | 271 |
| 2007 | 267 |
| 2008 | 324 |
| 2009 | 168 |
| 2010 | 156 |
| 2011 | 235 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 260 |
| 2020 | 119 |
| 2021 | 105 |
| 2022 | 36 |
| 2023 | 17 |
| 2024 | 55 |
| 2025 | 27 |
| 2026 | 3 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
12% of complaints: tires — 91 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER WITH DEFINITY DAKOTA H/T TIRES, SIZE P225/70/R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A CENTER HIGHWAY MEDIAN.
NHTSA ODI report, 20121102
9% of complaints: tires — 68 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY7% of complaints: air bags — 54 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
OWNER HAD TO HIT BRAKES DUE TO A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM COMING TO A DEAD STOP WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. TRUCK WENT INTO A SKID, AND STRUCK VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20020830
VEHICLE HAD HYDROPLANED & HIT GUARDRAIL AT 40MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER INJURED, RECEIVED BROKEN BONES. FATHER TOOK VEHICLE TO BODY SHOP & MECHANIC NOTICED NO AIR BAG SENSORS IN VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 19981217
6% of complaints: suspension — 46 distinct reports on file.
6% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 43 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRESAFETY TIMELINE
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PULSE DAMPER.
Campaign 98V201000 — check if this car was fixed
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
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLES. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE REPLACEMENT CABLES ARE NOT AVAILABLE. CUSTOMERS ARE BEING ADVISED NOT TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM UNTIL A REPLACEMENT CA
Campaign 99V062001 — check if this car was fixed
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 SHIF
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSAXLE AND ANY WITH MISALIGNED PARK DETENT SPRINGS WILL BE REPLACED.
Campaign 99V204000 — check if this car was fixed
TIRE DESCRIPTION: FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, SIZE P235/75R15, PRODUCED AT THE DECATUR, ILLINOIS TIRE PLANT AND ALL FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX AND RADIAL ATX II TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15. OPERATION OF THESE TIR
Remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON AUGUST 29, 2001. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-465-1904 FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
Campaign 00T005000 — check if this car was fixed
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERN
Remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
Campaign 01X001000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER S
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN
Remedy: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
Campaign 06E056000 — check if this car was fixed
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, S
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
Campaign 07V336000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1999 Ford Ranger — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for tires issues (91 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for tires issues (68 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (54 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 98V201000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 99V062001 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 99V204000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00T005000 (tires) has been completed.
- Verify recall 01X001000 (tires) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E056000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V336000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1999 Ford Ranger reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Ford Ranger is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Ford Ranger?
The most-reported component is tires, accounting for 12% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1999 Ford Ranger have?
10 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.