90 of the 966 complaints about the 1999 Ford Ranger are about the body and structure — 9% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 111,000 miles.
90
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STRUCTURE:BODY
When washing the truck I noticed a crack in the left rear frame just aft of the forward leaf spring shackle.Vertical crack approx, 6" long and separating, frame severely rusted while the rest of the body has minimal rust.
NHTSA complaint #11426295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY VEHICLE IS OTHERWISE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION BUT TRY IS FRAME IS VERY WORRISOME. THE RUST MAKES ME AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE CONFIDENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #11407783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
I WAS DRIVING WAS ABOUT 20 MPH AND HIT A SMALL POT HOLE. I HEARD A LOUD POP BANG NOISE AND THE LEFT SIDE OF TRUCK DROPPED ABOUT 2 OR 3 INCHES. I THOUGHT THE FRONT END FELL OFF. THE FRAME IS RUSTED SO BAD YOU CAN PUNCH HOLES IS THE FRAME WITH A SCREW DRIVER, THE DRIVER SIDE TORSION BAR HAS COLLAPSED DUE TO RUST ON THE FRAME THAT HOLDS IT IN PLACE, THE CROSSMEMBER TO TRANSMISSION IS BARLEY HOLDING TRANSMISSION UP, THE SPARE TIRE AREA IS RUSTED IN HALF, ALL MAIN CROSSMEMBERS ARE RUSTED IN HALF AND THE FRAME IS RUSTED IN HALF BEHIND FUEL TANK. TRUCK HAS 127K MILES AND THE BODY BODY HAS LITTLE TO NO RUST, UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS ARE UNSAFE FROM RUST. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE BODY CAN BE SO GOOD BUT FRAME AND SUSPENSION IS COMPLETELY RUSTED TO NO RETURN.
NHTSA complaint #11385534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
I HAVE A 1999 FORD RANGER AND THE FRAME IS SHOT STARTING TO CRACK IT'S SO THIN AND LIKE POST I CAN ALMOST BEND IT WITH MY HANDS .
NHTSA complaint #11165572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
SPARE TIRE FELL OFF IN STREET, THEN GAS TANK, WHOLE FRAME IS ROTTEN, WAS DRIVING DOWN A ROAD,
NHTSA complaint #11151261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE FRAME IS RUSTING AWAY. BOTH LEAF SPRING SHACKLES RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH, MUFFLER HANGERS ALL RUSTED OFF LOST MY MUFFLER ON A ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #11121059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
FRAME RUST UNDER DRIVERS AND RIDERS DOORS. REST OF TRUCK LOOKS BEAUTIFUL AND I TAKE GREAT CARE OF THE TRUCK!!!
NHTSA complaint #11066204 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR SECTION OF THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,000.
NHTSA complaint #11056108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
DRIVERS SIDE FRAME HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. FOUND DURING INSPECTION.
NHTSA complaint #11048370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
REAR FRAME AND REAR CROSS MEMBER HAVE RUSTED OUT.. THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER IS UNUSABLE. VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR FRAME REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #11043092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
FRAME ROT... THE FRAME HAS RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE-OUT IN THE SAME PLACE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE: UNDER THE MOST-FRONT PART OF EACH DOOR (KEEP IN MIND THIS IS THE FRAME I'M TALKING ABOUT, NOT ANY KIND OF DOOR SUPPORT OR FRAMING... THIS IS THE SECTION OF BODY FRAME THAT IS LOCATED UNDERNEATH EACH DOOR ON THE VEHICLE). THE FRAME HAS RUSTED AND BEGUN TO SPLIT HORIZONTALLY (THE LENGTH OF THE VEHICLE) AND VERTICALLY (FROM THE GROUND-UP). WHEN LIFTING THE VEHICLE IN CERTAIN PLACES, THE FRAME CAN BE SEEN BENDING, OBVIOUSLY. BECAUSE OF THIS I CAN ONLY JACK/LIFT THE VEHICLE FROM THE VERY FRONT... ALL OTHER PLACES THAT I'VE TRIED TO LIFT FROM RESULT IN TOO MUCH WEIGHT BEING PUT ON THOSE WEAK POINTS. I AM NOW VERY SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING A NEW FRAME, WHICH IS A LOT OF MONEY... OR, AT THE VERY LEAST, A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT TO PULL A FRAME OFF OF A VEHICLE FROM A JUNKYARD, THEN PUT IT ON MY VEHICLE (OR RATHER, PUT MY VEHICLE ON IT). FRAME FAILURE COULD RESULT IN CATASTROPHE OR DEATH, AND THIS FRAME IS IN VERY BAD SHAPE COMPARED TO MOST VEHICLES IT'S AGE (AND MANY THAT ARE OLDER).
NHTSA complaint #10980901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY 1999 FORD RANGER JUST FAILED INSPECTION FOR STRUCTURAL REASONS. TRUCK RUNS PERFECT WITH ONLY 107K MILES ON IT. THE TRUCK IS ROTTING AWAY !! GAS TANK FALLING OFF. REAR BUMPER FALLING OFF. TAIL GATE ROTTED. SIGNIFICANT ROT IN FRAME AND SHOCKS. SPARE TIRE READY TO JUST FALL FROM CHEAP STRAP THAT IS ROTTED. THIS REALLY IS UNSAFE SITUATION. I CALLED FORD AND FILED COMPLAINT BUT WAS TOLD NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD!! A HAPPY CUSTOMER TELLS 2 PEOPLE,AN UNHAPPY CUSTOMER TELLS 100 PEOPLE. I REALLY CAN NOT BELIEVE THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT RECALLED. VERY UNSAFE.
NHTSA complaint #10966692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
FRAME RUSTED INTO
NHTSA complaint #10944675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST NEAR THE REAR FRAME CLOSE TO THE LEAF SPRINGS. THERE WAS ALSO EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT FURTHER INSPECTED THE REAR FRAME AND DETERMINED THAT IT FRACTURED DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS REMAINED PARKED IN THE CONTACT'S DRIVEWAY SINCE THE FAILURE WAS IDENTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10934248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FRAME FELL OFF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10926538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE BED IS RUSTING OFF THE FORD RANGER PT . TO WHERE , THE BED NEEDS TO BE REMOVED FROM THE BACK , AND REDONE !!! THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT MADE WELL FOR CUSUMERS PPL CAN'T ALWAYS AFFORD WHAT THE COMPANY HAS DONE . ITS NOT FAIR TOO PUT A VEHICLE OUT AND WE HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR FORDS POOR WORK WHEN MAKING THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10924592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
PERFORATED FRAME ON THE LEFT REAR FRAME NEAR THE FRONT OF THE LEAF SPRING, REAR FRAME HORN WHERE BUMPER ATTACHES IS PERFORATED ALSO. SECTIONS OF FRAME WILL HAVE TO BE WELDED IN TO KEEP VEHICLE IN A SAFE CONDITION.
NHTSA complaint #10907260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE FRAME AT THE RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION POCKET RUSTED OUT. UPPER CONTROL ARM REAR BRACKET IS COMPLETELY DETACHED. DROVE THE TRUCK TO MY DESTINATION WITH NO ISSUES, ON THE RETURN TRIP IT FELT "FLOATY" AS IF IT WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A TOWN ROAD. THERE WAS NO BUMP OR AUDIBLE NOISE PRIOR TO OR ACCOMPANYING THE ISSUE. BODY HAS VERY MINIMAL RUST, THE REST OF THE FRAME APPEARS SOLID. TRUCK HAS 104,660 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10899610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY COMPLAINT IS JUST HOW RUSTED AWAY THE FRAME IS ON MY 1999 RANGER, THE BODY OF THE TRUCK IS REAL NICE. BUT THE FRAME IS RUSTING AWAY, THE REAR BUMPER BROKE OFF ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, THE SPARE TIRE CAN NO LONGER BE MOUNTED UNDERNEATH WHERE IT BELONGS, DUE TO THE RUST. THE FRAME RAIL HAS A FOOT LONG RUST HOLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE DRIVERS SIDE RAIL IS CRACKED AND RUSTED ALMOST IN TWO PIECES. JUST SEEMS LIKE THE FRAME IS TOTALLY RUSTING AWAY, NEVER HAD A VEHICLE WITH THIS KIND OF RUST PROBLEM. I AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ON THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10873304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
FRAME AND FRAME SUPPORTS HAVE RUSTED QUICKLY OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. MORE THAN I WOULD EXPECT.
NHTSA complaint #10871466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY FRAME IS RUSTING OUT! I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS FILLING MY GAS TANK SO I BROUGHT IT IN TO THE SHOP TO FIND THAT WHERE THE GAS TANK SUPPORTS ATTACHED TO THE FRAME HAD RUSTED OUT. MY GAS TANK WAS HANGING ON BY A THREAD. I HAD TO HAVE THE WHOLE THING REMOVED, REPAIRED, AND REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10823731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY 1999 FORD RANGER FRAME IS RUSTING IN SEVERAL LOCATION WHICH WILL MAKE IT VERY UNSAFE THE BODY LOOKS BRAND NEW BUT THE FRONT FRAME AND REAR FRAME ARE RUSTING AWAY. THE SHOCKS ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE ARE ABOUT THE BREAK THROUGH THE SUPPORT AND THE UPPER CONTROL ARM IS ABOUT THE BREAK OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10748050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
UPON INSPECTION MECHANIC SAID "SHACKLES , FRAME, LEAFSPRINGS, ALL RUSTED AND TRUCK WILL NOT LAST. MOTOR RUNS GREAT, BODY NO RUST.
NHTSA complaint #10743905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE 99 FORD RANGER, AND EVERY ONE I HAVE SEEN IS RUSTED OUT. FRAME, REAR BUMPER & BED. THERE ARE OTHER PLACES RUSTED BUT NOT AS BAD AS THE FRAME, RUSTED IN HALF, REAR BUMPER FELL OFF GOING DOWN THE ROAD, OTHER THINGA THAT BOLT UNDER THE BED FELL OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10643835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS RUSTED OUT. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
NHTSA complaint #10632084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
TOOK TO GET INSPECTED MECHANIC SAID FRAME WAS IN BAD SHAPE. I HAD 5 DIFFERENT PEOPLE TELL ME IT WAS BEYOND REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10610642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
THIS WINTER WHILE WASHING THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF MY 1999 RANGER, I NOTICED THE FRAME AT THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR SHOCK MOUNT IS RUSTED THROUGH. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION, I SEE THAT THE FRAME AT THE REAR BUMPER MOUNTS IS ALSO SEVERELY RUSTED. THE BED SUPPORTS THAT RUN PERPENDICULAR TO THE FRAME ARE ALSO SEVERELY RUSTED.
NHTSA complaint #10574222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
I HAVE OWNED 4 RANGERS OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS, A 1995, 1998,1999,AND A 2001 AND ALL 4 TRUCKS HAVE HAD THE LEAF SPRING HANGERS ROT OFF . MY LATEST TRUCK THE LEAF SPRING HANGER AND NOW THE FRAME HAS ROTTED AWAY THERE IS NO WAY THIS IS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. THE INTERNET IS FULL OF COMMENTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT TUNDRAS HAD A RECALL ON THIS SAME ISSUE. WHY IS IT DIFFERENT FOR A RANGER?
NHTSA complaint #10567492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
FOR THE SECOND TIME AS FAR AS I KNOW THE REAR FRAME (REAR SPRING SHACKLES AND SPEAR TIRE HOLDER SPECIFICALLY) HAVE AND ARE BEING REPLACED BECAUSE THEY HAVE RUSTED AND THEY TORE APART. AS I WAS DRIVING I HIT A REGULAR BUMP IN THE ROAD. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 TO 45 MPH ON THE WAY TO WORK. WELL IT SOUNDED LIKE IT HIT PRETTY HARD, AS I WAS DRIVING I NOTICED THE TRUCKS PERFORMANCE WAS LACKING. SO, WENT TO WORK, GOT OUT OF WORK AND ON THE WAY BACK HOME I NOTICED THE SAMETHING WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THE TRUCK. IT WAS LACKING IN A BIG WAY. AS I WAS PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY I HEARD A LARGE CLUNK SOUND. THE NEXT DAY I HAD A PRIOR APPOINTMENT AT MY TRANSMISSION SHOP. AS THE MECHANICS PUT IT ON THE LIFT "THE REAR AXLE DROPPED TO THE FULL EXTENT OF THE SHOCK ABSORBER AND BUSTING THEIR SEALS. BECAUSE THE SHACKLE BROKE IT WAS CAUSING THE AXLE TO TWIST WHILE I WAS DRIVING GIVEN THE TRUCK THE BAD PERFORMANCE, BAD STEERING, AND GIVING THE TRANSMISSION A PULSATING AFFECT. ALSO THE ENGINE LOST THE POWER GIVING THE TRUCK RESISTANCE AND USING MORE GAS. SO I AM REPLACING BOTH SHACKLES, BOTH SHOCK ABSORBERS, AND THE SPEAR TIRE MECHANISM. AT THE SAME TIME I WILL BE SANDING THE FRAME DOWN, AND COATING ALL PARTS (CLEANING AND COATING PARTS) WITH BEDLINER COATING TO HOPEFULLY STOP THE RUST. THE PARTS THAT I AM REPLACING ARE ALSO REPLACEMENT PARTS BECAUSE THEY ARE BOLTED ON TO THE FRAME INSTEAD OF RIVETED LIKE THE ORIGINALS WERE. ALSO THE STEEL SEAMS TO BE THINNER IN THE REAR THAN THE FRONT AND MIDDLE.
NHTSA complaint #10543515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
I TRIED TO GET MY 99 RANGER INSPECTED WHEN THEY PUT IT ON THE LIFT A BIG CHUNK OF THE FRAME FELL TO THE GROUND .UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THERE WERE HOLES IN THE RIGHT SIDE FRAME NEXT TO THE REAR SPRING SHACKLES AND THE GAS TANK STRAPS WERE RUSTED OUT OF THE FRAME .THE GARAGE OWNER TAPED THE FRAME WITH A BALL PEEN HAMMER AND FOUND MORE HOLES ON THE LEFT SIDE AND THE RIGHT FRONT UNDER THE AIR CONDITIONER .I COULD NOT DRIVE THE TRUCK HOME IT WAS SO UNSAFE I CAN'T BELIEVE THE FRAME DID NOT BRAKE WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT .IF I WAS TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT WITH THE TRUCK IN THAT CONDITION THE FRAME WOULD HAVE CRUMPLED UP LIKE TIN FOIL .READING THE COMPLAINTS HERE I'M NOT ALONE .THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN CARE OF WASHED ALL THE TIME IF FORD IS GOING TO SELL TRUCKS IN NEW YORK THEY BETTER BE SAFER .I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD .
NHTSA complaint #10536443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.