Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
99 Ford Ranger xlt sport package. 5 speed manual. Truck body is rust free but frame has rotted out. Rust began on left rear frame and spread to entire frame and cross members. Spare tire fell off, frame cracked in half causing bumper to fall off, gas tank fell off truck hitting a small road bump at 60mph. Both sides of rear frame, bumper, and gas tank were repaired. Now frame has cracked in half under passenger side door. Truck is unsafe to drive with only 99,000 miles. Windshield wipers also go off intermittently and do not always work when turned on.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford Ranger. While driving 20 MPH in the rain, the contact activated the windshield wipers. However, the wipers did not begin to operate until 15 minutes after they were activated. The failure has occurred on numerous occasions. The contact did not locate any burnt fuses. She took the vehicle to the mechanic and they diagnosed the cause of failure as the wiring. The current mileage was 95,000 and failure mileage was 88,000.
1999 Ford Ranger: during warranty had windshield wiper switch replaced by Ford from notice in mail. About 6 months later, out of warranty, windshield wipers wont stay on. They come on when vehicle is cold but once start driving they stop working...dont know if short in switch or heat related..Ford has said that first fix should have fixed it, but now out of warranty and need to pay to fix it.
Letter referencing Ford motor co. Recall #00b40, consumer concerned why his 1999 Ford Ranger pickup was not included recall #00b40 for defective multifunction switch replacement. The faulty switch caused the wiper to come on while driving or using the turn signal. Many 1999 rangers were recall but the representative indicated that eh consumer's vehicle was not included due to VIN.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford Ranger. While driving at various speeds, the windshield wipers operated on their own intermittently. The wipers have to continuously be shut off manually. The VIN was not included in the recall regarding this failure. The current mileage was 78,000 and failure mileage was 59,802. Updated 11/26/08 updated 12/01/08.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Ranger. While driving 25 MPH, the contact stated that the windshield wipers activated without assistance. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was 74,700 and the current mileage was 76,005.
Wipers didn't operate correctly - was recalled fix and worked okay for a while now currently come on all by themselves or when you put high beams or blinker on. My door ajar light came on without a door open and the dome lights came on and drained down my battery. Ford has not been contacted yet.
Windshield wipers turn on intermittently, this happens when driving or sitting stopped with ignition on listening to radio... Also slipping of transmission when accelerating after a turn...this has happened many times, too many to count in the years since I owned the truck...
The windshield wiper operated at their whim and when using turn the signal. (mr. Charles lennon and mr. Mohamed hashi was assigned the same odi # 10062157) the wipers would shut off with no warning. The consumer requested his money back for prior repair.
Consumer complained about electrical problems. The dome light/ajar light stayed on after getting out of the vehicle and locking the doors. Steering column smoked, and windshield wipers came on intermittently.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Ranger years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1999 Ford Ranger?
NHTSA has 71 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1999 Ford Ranger, 9% of the model year's 755 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer (41 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford Ranger window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
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.