Problems · by component

1999 Ford Ranger power train problems

69 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 1999 Ford Ranger cite power train, 9% of all 785 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
69
9% of all complaints
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT ROLLED INTO A NEIGHBOR'S YARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BORMAN AUTOPLEX (470 W BOUTZ RD, LAS CRUCES, NM 88005, 575-525-4500) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 24, 2018Power trainODI 11122136
“TRUCK LOST BRAKES WHILE GOING DOWNHILL. FRAME CORROSION HAD CAUSED RIGHT SPRING HANGER TO FAIL, AND CORRODED BRAKE LINE BURST. I WAS ABLE TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT. BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AFTER THE INCIDENT. MECHANIC PUT THE TRUCK ON A LIFT, AND IDENTIFIED SEVERE CORROSION TO THE BRAKE LINES, DIFFERENTIAL, FRAME, AND SEVERAL OTHER UNDERCARRIAGE COMPONENTS. TRUCK HAD BEEN UNDERCOATED AND WASHED REGULARLY, AND HAS LESS THAN 105,000 MILES. MECHANIC SUGGESTED ALL NEW BRAKE LINES, TOTAL FRAME, AND REAR END REPLACEMENT. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 26, 2012Suspension, Service brakes, hydraulic, Power train, StructureODI 10445479
“1999 FORD RANGER WITH 3 LITER ENGINE CAMSHAFT POSITION SYNCHRONIZER FAILED CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF ENGINE. GEAR BROKE CAUSING FAILURE OF OIL PUMP SEIZING ENGINE WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 23, 2008Engine and engine cooling, Power trainODI 10246530
“I PURCHASED A 1999 FORD WINSTAR IN 2005 AND MY TRANSMISSION STARTED TO GO 3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED FOR 1500.00 WHILE SEARCHING YOUR SITE I DISCOVERED MANY DEFECTS AND RECALLS TO MY VAN WHICH I PLAN TO TAKE TO A FORD DEALER. I WANTED TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR 1999 FORD WINDSTAR TRANSMISSIONS. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 17, 2007Power trainODI 10212163
“I PURCHASED A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR SEL 3 YEARS AGO AND HAVE HAD HELL WITH IT EVER SINCE. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY BEEN OWNED BY ONE OTHER PERSON AND HE HAD TO PUT A NEW TRANSMISSION IN IT RIGHT OVER 50,000 MILES. @ 130,000 MILES I TOO HAD TO PUT ANOTHER TRANSMISSION IN IT. NOW THE VAN HAS 160000 AND I AM AGAIN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I THINK THAT FORD HAS DONE A TERRIBLE JOB OF TAKING CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS AND THEY ARE LOOSING ME AS A CUSTOMER. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 14, 2007Power trainODI 10208946
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY II. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH HE HEARD A BANGING NOISE UNDER THE GEAR SHIFT AREA. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE "U" JOINT CAME APART WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. AS OF AUGUST 14, 2007, THE DEALER HAS NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 14, 2007Power trainODI 10199584

Showing 6 of 69 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 5, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Power train: automatic transmission

Free remedy

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ELECTRIC VEHICLES. THE TRANSAXLE MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH THE PARK DETENT SPRING MISALIGNED. IF THE SPRING IS MISALIGNED, THE PARK MECHANISM MAY NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.

Power trainReported Jul 28, 1999NHTSA 99V204000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 5, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.