1999 Ford Ranger Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1999 Ford Ranger most often write about frame and underbody rust, especially at the rear frame rails, spring hangers and the crossmember that supports the fuel tank. Many describe trucks that look well kept above but are badly corroded underneath, with complaints filed from roughly 60,000 miles into the 200,000s. A second common theme is engine problems around 90,000-100,000 miles, including cracked cylinder heads on V6 engines and engines that seized.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Rear frame and crossmember rust-through

   Mentioned in 22 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe rear frame rails, crossmembers and spring hanger brackets rusting through, sometimes from the inside out, so that the spare tire carrier, fuel tank straps or rear bumper no longer hold. Some owners report the fuel tank hanging partly detached because the supporting crossmember had rusted away. Dealers and shops are said to have told owners the corrosion was due to road salt and that repairs would be at the owner's expense; several state the truck would no longer pass state inspection. Reported across a wide mileage range, most often from about 60,000 to 175,000 miles, and frequently on trucks used in winter-salt states.

   What to check: Put the truck on a lift and probe the rear frame rails, crossmembers, spring hangers and fuel tank straps with a screwdriver; rust that crumbles or holes is a major repair. Ask whether the frame has been welded or patched and whether the truck spent winters in a salt state.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 complaint #10823731, filed 2016-02, 120,000 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10487952, filed 2012-12, 189,341 miles
2. 2
   Suspension

   Spring hangers, shackles and frame mounts rusting

   • 56 complaints (7%)
   • median 110,000 mi at 13.5 yrs old (45 state mileage)
   • filed 1999–2021

   Owners describe rear leaf spring hangers and shackles rusting away, sometimes replaced more than once, with frame metal around the mounts too thin to attach new brackets without welding in plates. In a few complaints the rusted mounting area let the front suspension or torsion bar drop after hitting a bump. Shops are reported to have told owners the mounts could no longer be repaired to the frame as built. Typically reported between about 60,000 and 130,000 miles, often alongside general frame corrosion.

   What to check: Inspect the rear leaf spring hangers and shackles for flaking metal and check whether the frame around them is solid enough for new brackets; ask for any welding or bracket replacement records.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My grandfather bought this truck new and replaced the rear spring hangers in10/2009. I have the truck now. After pressure washing the frame I noticed the frame cross member has a hole in it at the muffler. Front spring hangers are extremely rusty as is the shock mounts. The frame from the cab to rear is extremely rusty and thin looking. The spare tire holding area has a hole in it. This truck has never been off road or in the mud. Very little time on the road in the winter. The body is in excellent shape as is the frame from cab to front. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10429808, filed 2011-10, 80,000 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11385534, filed 2020-12, 127,642 miles
3. 3
   Tires

   Tire tread separation and blowouts

   • 166 complaints (22%)
   • median 111,000 mi at 12.7 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • 12 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2019

   Owners report tread separating or a tire blowing out at highway speed, in some cases with the tire staying inflated and the truck losing control. Several complaints involve Firestone Wilderness HT tires and describe difficulty getting replacements even when a recall covered them. One complaint notes tires of the wrong size fitted to the truck, which the owner says affected handling. Reported mostly between about 40,000 and 175,000 miles, typically at highway speeds.

   What to check: Note the tire brands, sizes and date codes, compare them with the door-jamb placard, and check for uneven wear, bulges or cracking before driving the truck.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall for produce a 1999 model 4wd pick up last november I went to look at it here were no stickers about sold as is but regardles I feel it is Ford corporatin to sell a sfe vehicle by law ,, I discovered the tires were the wrong size on the vehicle when I question them they said it the way tey recived it and refused to go any further the required tires for this truck state there supposed to be 245/75/16 for had tire on the truck that are the wrong size 215 65 15 which make handling the vehicle hard in corners and created a rollover …”

   NHTSA complaint #10884704, filed 2016-07, 234,504 miles

   “Dt: Ford motor company refused to replace tires that Ford said they would replace at any time. These tires were recalled, and consumer chose not to replace at that time. Ford told consumer that he could replace at any time. Consumer wasn't notified of any changes that Ford made.”

   NHTSA complaint #10121068, filed 2005-05, 58,023 miles
4. 4
   Tires

   Cracked cylinder heads and engine failure

   • 63 complaints (8%)
   • median 72,000 mi at 8.9 yrs old (25 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2021

   Complaints describe V6 trucks running rough, sputtering or overheating, with a dealer finding coolant or water in a cylinder and one or both heads cracked. Several owners report needing a replacement or rebuilt engine; one describes an engine that locked up at highway speed and a second engine that failed afterward. Complaints say the failures occurred despite regular oil and coolant service. Mostly reported between about 48,000 and 100,000 miles, with a couple of cases at higher mileage.

   What to check: Look for coolant loss without an external leak, milky oil or white exhaust, and ask whether head gaskets or cylinder heads have been replaced. A coolant pressure test or combustion-gas test in the coolant can help before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 1999 Ford Ranger 4x4 with 3.0 liter flex fuel engine began sputtering, running rough and overheating two days ago. I took it to haldeman Ford to be checked. They told me today there was water/coolant in at least one of the cylinders and the head(s) may be cracked, and I need a new or rebuilt engine. The truck has just over 95,000 miles on it. I had oil changes, coolant flushes, etc. At regular intervals. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10151011, filed 2006-02, 95,000 miles

   “I had a 1999 Ford Ranger with a 4.0 liter engine a v-6, it started running rough at 95,000 miles. I took it in to the dealer to be repaired. The next day I was told there was water in # 4 cylinder. They took both heads off and I was told that both heads had cracks in them I went to look for myself I verified that both heads were cracked in the same location a crack on # 4 cylinder and a crack on # 1 cylinder. I was then shown a cracked head off a Ford explorer with a 4.0 liter engine same crack same location. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10139097, filed 2005-10, 95,000 miles
5. 5
   Vehicle speed control

   Cruise control and unintended acceleration concerns

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the engine revving or the truck surging when slowing down, difficulty disengaging the clutch when hot, and vehicles that would not slow as expected. Some complaints tie the concern to the cruise control system and to a speed control deactivation switch, and one reports an underhood fire while parked. Others report Ford telling them their vehicle was not covered by the related recall because of its VIN. Reported from about 28,000 to 150,000 miles, sometimes after cruise control use.

   Recall 07V336000Recall 99V062001

   What to check: Ask whether the speed control deactivation switch recall work was completed and inspect the switch area on the master cylinder for fluid residue or heat damage; test that cruise control disengages with the brake pedal.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Ford has an active recall, begun about 3 months ago, but doesn't have the parts available to fix this problem. At the very least this is extremely poor customer service, at the worst it is fraud - depriving me of the vehicle I originally paid for! This is the recall for cruise control, a feature I use frequently and specifically bought with this model. Ford knew they had a problem and they would need the parts to fix it - why don't they have it, or have responsibility for compensating for failing to have it?”

   NHTSA complaint #10209924, filed 2007-11, 150,000 miles

   “This is my mothers pickup but she asked me to report it and try to find an answer. She has had the pickup for years (she bought it in 2003)...she bought it from a neighbor. After a few years she started having a problem that no one (not even the dealership) has been able to fix. This has happened many, many times. Sometimes when she goes to stop, the truck will suddenly rev up and try to take off. Several times this has almost caused accidents (it has jumped out into traffic, almost rear ended other cars, etc). …”

   NHTSA complaint #10896913, filed 2016-08, 86,000 miles

Buying note. On a 1999 Ranger the frame and spring mount corrosion is the item to inspect before anything else, since repairs can involve welding or replacing structural sections. Beyond that, check for coolant loss and head work on V6 trucks, and confirm any open speed control recall work was completed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.