1999 Ford Ranger Problems & Recalls

Trucks Of The Month

Ranger Buyers Guide

Complaints:

Looking to buy a used Ford Ranger? Here are some complaints / problems and recalls to be aware of.

Engine:

Vehicle accelerates on its own. [Several reports]

Vehicle shuts off / stalls.

4.0L engine makes clattering / marbling sound. [Several reports]

3.0L camshaft position synchronizer failed causing catastrophic failure of engine. [Several reports]

Cracked cylinder heads on 4.0L engine.

Fuel:

Fuel tank fill tube rusts and leaks.

Transmission:

Transmission comes out of park on its own.

Miscellaneous Electrical:

Dome light does not go out. [Numerous reports] (Spray WD-40 in the door latches. Otherwise, the latches may need replaced)

Smoke comes from the steering column when the turn signal is on. [Numerous reports] (Faulty muti-switch)

Truck caught on fire due to faulty cruise control. [Few reports]

Vehicle accelerated on its own and the airbag deployed.

ABS light came on, causing speedometer to fail. Also, transmission/overdrive light had come on, causing transmission to shift and downshift into low.

Suspension:

Leaf spring shackles and hangers rust and fail. [Numerous reports]

Seat Belts / Air Bag:

Air bags did not deploy during a collision. [Numerous reports]

Seat belt fails to retract.

Structure:

Excessive frame rust resulting in holes / cracks. [Numerous reports]

Rear bumper falls off due to excessive rust.

Wheels / Hubs:

Vacuum lines going to the front locking hubs (Pulse Vacuum Hubs) fail causing the 4WD to not work. [Several reports] (Replace them with manual hubs)

Tires:

Numerous reports of Firestone Wilderness tire failures.

Windows / Windshield:

Windshield wipers come on by themselves. (Numerous reports] (See a fix HERE).

Windshield wipers come on when the turn signal is on.

Recalls:

1999 Ford Ranger EXTERIOR LIGHTING: HEADLIGHTS NHTSA Campaign #09E025000

Date Announced: MAY 11, 2009 / Vehicles Affected: 42,540

Summary: 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 conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.

Consequence: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.

Actions: 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. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 09E025000 »

1999 Ford Ranger EXTERIOR LIGHTING NHTSA Campaign #09E012000

Date Announced: APRIL 07, 2009 Vehicles Affected: 16,270

Summary: 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 conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.

Consequence: Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.

Actions: 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. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 09E012000 »

1999 Ford Ranger VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL NHTSA Campaign #07V336000

Date Announced: AUGUST 03, 2007 / Vehicles Affected: 3,600,000

Summary: 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.

Consequence: This could result in an underhood fire.

Actions: 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 switch disconnected as an interim repair. As soon as repair parts are available (expected October 2007), owners will be instructed to return to the dealers for installation of a fused wiring harness. The recall began on August 13, 2007, and mailing completed by September 19, 2007. Owners may contact Ford at 1-888-222-2751. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 07V336000 »

1999 Ford Ranger FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE NHTSA Campaign #06E056000

Date Announced: JUNE 13, 2006 / Vehicles Affected: 58,640

Summary: 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, the quick connectors may not fully seat with the tube interface, even though the person making the connection may believe that the quick connector is fully attached.

Consequence: Failure of this connection could lead to fuel spillage and, in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.

Actions: 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. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 06E056000 »

1999 Ford Ranger TIRES:TREAD/BELT NHTSA Campaign #01X001000

Date Announced: MAY 22, 2001 / Vehicles Affected: 13,000,000

Summary: 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 Wilderness AT 15, 16, and 17 inch tires mounted on Ford trucks and SUVS. Ford reports tread separation can occur due to a combination of the sensitivity of the tire design to stress, aging, and manufacturing differences between plants. Ford is replacing these tires to prevent possible premature tire failure. Vehicle description: The vehicles listed below may have been originally equipped with Firestone Wilderness AT tires or may have had Wilderness AT tires installed during the Firestone recall launched in August 2000. Certain 1991 throught 2002 Ford Explorer certain 2001 throught 2002 Explorer Sport, and Sport Trac certain 1997 through 2002 Mercury Mountaineer certain 1991 through 2001 Ranger certain 1999 through 2001 Expedition certain 1991 through 1994, and 1997 model year F-series certain 1991 through 1994 Bronco note: Both original equipment and replacement tires are affected.

Consequence: Should the tread separate at highway speeds, a vehicle crash could occur, possibly resulting in personal injury or death.

Actions: 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. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 01X001000 »

1999 Ford Ranger EXTERIOR LIGHTING NHTSA Campaign #06E026000

Date Announced: MARCH 23, 2006 / Vehicles Affected: 61,944

Summary: 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 side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.

Consequence: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.

Actions: 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. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 06E026000 »

1999 Ford Ranger TIRES: TREAD BELT NHTSA Campaign #00T005000

Date Announced: AUGUST 21, 2000 / Vehicles Affected: 14,400,000

Summary: 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 tires at low inflation pressures, high speed, and in hot weather, can contribute to separation of the tire tread.

Consequence: If the tread separates from the tire, the driver can lose control of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash causing injury or death.

Actions: 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. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 00T005000 »

1999 Ford Ranger POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NHTSA Campaign #99V204000

Date Announced: JULY 28, 1999 / Vehicles Affected: 326

Summary: 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.

Consequence: If the park mechanism does not engage and the vehicle operator has not applied the parking brake, the vehicle could roll free as if in neutral.

Actions: Dealers will inspect the transaxle and any with misaligned park detent springs will be replaced. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 99V204000 »

1999 Ford Ranger VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL NHTSA Campaign #99V062001

Date Announced: MARCH 30, 1999 / Vehicles Affected: 898,739

Summary: 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/Mountaineer equipped with 4.0L OHV/SOHC or 5.0L engines or 1998-1999 Ranger 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.

Consequence: If the cruise control is used and this condition is present, a stuck throttle could result, which could potentially result in a crash.

Actions: 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 can be made. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 99V062001 »

1999 Ford Ranger FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM NHTSA Campaign #98V201000

Date Announced: SEPTEMBER 01, 1998 / Vehicles Affected: 330

Summary: 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.

Consequence: In the presence of an ignition source, a fire can result from fuel leakage.

Actions: Dealers will replace the pulse damper. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the NHTSA recall 98V201000 »