Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 35 MPH, the contact noticed smoke under the hood and flames surrounding the engine. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was not filed. The cause of the fire was unknown. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was not towed and was deemed a total loss. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.* consumer stated fire ignited under the hood in both cases due to manufacturer defect. For odi 11173289 and 11173291. Consumer has filed a lawsuit.
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). I've contacted the Ford company and they have told me to go to the dealership. We done that with nothing resolved. Several parts have been replaced and they have updated the computer, but it still does it. This is my mom's only vehicle and she is scared to drive it, but can't sell it with this kind of problem. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Ranger. A few years after the vehcile was purchased, the intake manifold failed. The dealer replaced the intake manifold sensor at the cost of $800.00. The repair did not remedy the failure. The drivers seat was not leveled with the steering column because the seat does not have sufficient padding. As a consequence he could not properly view the road-way, which caused a vehicle crash. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 160,000. The police report and the vehicle identification number was not available. There were no injuries. The current mileage was 220,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the vehicle would overheat and the temperature gauge would increase while the vehicle was parked. To reduce the temperature, the accelerator pedal had to be depressed or the vehicle had to be turned off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the thermostat failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000.
Motor rattling, knocking in transmission, exhaust sounded louder than usual, motor cut off and unable to start
While traveling on cruise control at 70 miles per hour, the vehicle decelerated. The dash board lights lit up and truck would not restart. Temperature gauge indicated not overheating, water was in radiator, oil was at the full mark on the oil dip stick. No fluids leaked from the engine. My vehicle is at the Ford dealership in owatanna, mn. I have been told by a Ford dealership technician that he believes it to be pieces of the gasket around the oil pump that blocked the flow of oil to the engine seizing the valves in the engine. Apparently it happens frequently to his knowledge. Also , I know of another Ford Ranger that experienced unexplained engine failure this past week. I have maintained oil changes within the manufacturer's recommendation during the time I have owned the Ranger. The vehicle has only 69136 miles on the odometer. …
I was driving in the freeway I-275 nb nof howard avenue tampa florida I heard a noise to the front of small truck, after that I saw black smoke from front of truck I put to car a safety place of the freeway of truck is turn off itself. I have not time take off of keys from of truck of only time is took my bags ,open the door and get out the truck and all contents were burned in the fire. Additional I have the truck for 4 months ago only and I need to help, because I have insurance but only liability coverage and no full cover, in which I have to continue to pay to the dealer $6,000 dollars from my pocket. Thank you for your attention for my case. But thank you so much to my god a still with live and my boyfriend. Thank you again. [redacted]
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. From what I have read on your website, and heard from others, this is a problem with the six cylinder engines Ford used in rangers and explorers. They said it would be $6400 for a rebuilt engine installed. It seems this is most likely a manufacturing defect, but the folks at the dealer said no.
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. This is a manufacturing defect since all the cracks are in the same location and Ford already has redesigned the cylinder heads. This cost me almost $4,000.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford Ranger. For the past seven years, the contact could not determine why the check engine indicator would flash on and off. The mechanic could not figure out the issue as well. The contact eventually discovered that the aluminum dpfe valve was causing the check engine indicator to flash. The contact called the manufacturer because she heard that the dpfe valves were recalled; however, her VIN was not included. The contact feels this is a safety and environmental issue and that the manufacturer should repair the vehicle. The current mileage was 179,000 and failure mileage was 50,000.
Engine complaints in other Ranger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1999 Ford Ranger?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1999 Ford Ranger, 7% of the model year's 755 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford Ranger engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.