Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
Tail lights operate intermittently. While operating the vehicle on the road at night, this could pose a safety hazard. Other drivers have indicated to me that the tail lights were not working even though the headlights are on and the light switch is in the on position. Spot checks by me show that sometimes they are working and sometimes they are not. Search engine results indicate that this is a common problem with this vehicle.
Starting in 2007 my 1999 Ford Ranger would not go into 4 wheel dr.. I was alerted because the 4-high light started blinking to warn of a problem. After 8 trips to3 different repair shops, it will go into 4-high but it always slips out. It appears to be irrepairable. Also the 4-high light stays on even though it has dropped back into 2 wheel dr.. At 70 m.p.h., on ice and snow this is very dangerous!
1999 Ford Ranger. Windshield wipers activated for no reason and made shorting sound when turn signal lever was used. 2 days later while traveling home from pa. Rear of truck caught fire and in a matter of 3-4 seconds was a total loss traveling into the cab area. Interior was so burnt even the metal for the steering wheel was destroyed.I believe the was a short circuit in the wiring.
Truck was stopped & left running, driver and passenger got out to see if road too muddy to drive on. When opened door less than 1 minute later, truck filled with smoke. Fire smelled electrical, battery unhooked, vehicle towed to Ford dealership. Apparently wire on power window on passenger side touched metal and started the fire. This vehicle has never been wrecked and door or windows worked on. What would make it short out and start fire if not factory defect. Dt
After driving about 5 miles, vehicle was parked, and once consumer sat in vehicle for 2minutes before shutting the engine off, once off, ignition was turned to accessories, and there was a popping sound from under the hood. When vehicle was quickly exited, consumer noticed smoke from under the hood, and it suddenly burst into flames, burning the vehicle up, the fire department put the fire out. Dealer has been contacted.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle suddenly accelerated rapidly while attempting to slow down. The vehicle's engine revved suddenly without warning. The transmission was placed in the neutral position in order to prevent from hitting the vehicle in front. The dealership determined this was a common problem with this vehicle and was caused by faulty wiring chafing from the wiring harness.
I have had numerous problems with the electrical system, the "door ajar" light stays on when doors are shut. Also the interior lights stay on when the doors are shut. The problems started about 3 months after I bought the truck. Of course that was after the warranty ran out.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford Ranger. The stereo would activate intermittently without warning. It also gets so hot that it is melting the plastic surrounding the stereo. As of July 31, 2008 the dealer had not inspected the vehicle. The current mileage was 190,962.
Speed 25 MPH traveling down icy, dirt road, lost control and struck tree on passenger side in front of door. Approx. 10 min. Later car burst into flames and is now total damage, although original damage was only dent to front quarter panel.
Intermittently windshield wipers operated on their own. While driving windshield wipers malfunctioned. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the electrical relay switch needed to be replaced.
Electrical complaints in other Ranger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1999 Ford Ranger?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Ford Ranger, 5% of the model year's 755 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › fuses and circuit breakers (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford Ranger electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 5 fires and 1 injury to electrical system 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.