Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Ford Ranger owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owned a 1999 Ford Ranger. While driving 70 MPH, control of the vehicle was lost causing a crash with another vehicle and a speed bump. In addition, the speed bump caused the vehicle to become airborne and crash into a tree. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. A police report was filed. The contact sustained six cracked ribs, a punctured lung, a collapsed lung, a fractured neck, and several bruises that required medical attention. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
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 situation tires are under recall and Ford wont help on this matter I am asking for almost a yr now that some one make Ford put on the proper tires at there cost because of there lies and dishonesty,, also they sold the vehicle with bad ball joints that broke a month after I bought the vehicle so I borrowed the money and got them repaired at my own …
On July 13, 2009 I wrote a letter to the claims dept regarding an investigation on an airbag fire due to an accident on a 1999 Ford Ranger. I received a response form a steve bardell on aug. 20, 2009 that there were no open recalls for a speed control activation switch which were of no concern to the damage that occurred on our vehicle. I responded oct. 5, to please investigate this matter further for the safety of other customers and the fact that the driver's airbag did in fact catch on fire with the driver behind the wheel and to find out what caused this. I saw a recall on this morning's news but when I check the recall for the cruise control switch as stated, to find out what I needed to do to respond to this I noticed that this particular year of vehicle was not listed and definitely should be. Please! Help on this matter. …
The air bag discharged while I was driving to work at 45 MPH. I heard a hissing sound as a white powdery substance came out of the steering wheel. There was no collision. The bag did not deploy but the air bag light came on.I wrote Ford 3 times. Each time I was sent a letter stating that there was a collision. I wrote back , no collision. They had me send them pictures of the entire inside and outside of the vehicle. No damage any where. They said it was off warranty. I say it was defective. It discharged without reason and still didn't work correctly thank god.an air bag should be warranted for the life of the car. They were no help at all with this seriously dangerous situation. Can you help me?
Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford Ranger. While driving between 55-60 MPH on normal road conditions, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a snowbank. The vehicle rolled over three times and the air bags failed to deploy. The air bag warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The police and ambulance were called to the scene and a police report was filed. The driver sustained severe injuries. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. The extent of the damages has not yet been determined. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 120,000.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford Ranger. While driving 50-55 MPH on a bridge he crashed into the wall. The air bags did not deploy. The driver broke his nose. The front passenger cracked the windshield and suffered a concussion. Both passengers were wearing seat belts. The VIN was unknown. There was no police report. The current and failure mileages were 127,000.
During a 45 MPH frontal collision front air bags did not deploy. The seat belt released from the belt buckle. Consumer sustained minor injuries, and had the vehicle towed. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
"Takata recall" we continue to receive notice that air bags need replacement. Have been told we are on waiting list and that parts will be available soon and when they come in we will be notified. As of yet this has not hapened. This week notice in the news and on web sites of Ford and Takata and your site suggests that these vehicles not be driven. What are we to do? We have continued to take are vehicles into the Ford dealership to keep them maintained and in good working order, we are given no solution of a replacement or option of deactivation of the device until a replacement is available and not even an option for purchase of a replacement. Please help all our vehicles are fords all on recall we should not be forced to drive activated bombs
While driving up hwy 20 in town I had the front right tire/rim/brake assembly separate from the axle causing the vehicle to collide with a rock in the side of the hill. Hitting the rock had sent me back into the highway on the vehicles two left tires. Both airbags had deployed and when the vehicle came to a halt on all three tires I got out of the truck to find the right front tire/rim/brake assembly approximately 15 feet behind the vehicle. I now own a three wheeler that Ford or the dealership will not admit that there was some sort of a flaw or defect.
Struck the side of a car that turned blind in front of me at 50 MPH totalling both vehicles. Had my hands on steering wheel at 10 and 2 oclock. Bent steering column forward slightly from impact. Air bags did not go off!! Had seatbelt strap soreness following. Police and fire rescue personnel were surprised that air bag did not deploy. Reported to morries manager - told they would contact me - they never did. Also reported to insurance rep.
Airbag complaints in other Ranger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1999 Ford Ranger?
NHTSA has 79 complaints about the air bags of the 1999 Ford Ranger, 10% of the model year's 755 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (54 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford Ranger airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1999 Ford Ranger, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Ford Ranger airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 110,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 60 crashes, 1 fire and 44 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.