1999 Ford Ranger Extended Cab XLT from North America - Comments

The Windshield wipers went haywire after I finished offroading. But later learned it was then recalled.

The Wilderness AT tire in the rear has 6 plugs in it right now and I'm wondering how many more it can take.

The drivers side electronics have gone out for some reason.

This truck has the toughest coat of paint I've ever seen. It's been through rocks, thorns, tree branches and other items.

Right from the factory the 4x4 system really kicks, I've beaten every other stock compact truck off road. Also the shocks and suspension on it are amazing.

The seats are very comfortable, except when passed out drunk in the drivers seat. My legs hit the firewall.

I to feel this truck can use a little more leg room.

For those of you considering purchasing a Ford Ranger I strongly encourage you to read this review. I purchased a new 1999 four cylinder 2.5 liter from the local Ford dealer and it has been a nightmare since, not only with the truck, but with the lack of interest from the dealer to solve the problems with this vehicle. As soon as the weather warmed up after I bought it I noticed an increasing problem with the engine knocking from pre-detonation. This was not just pinging, but of the volume that I felt could be damaging the piston heads. I've had it to three authorized Ford service centers time after time over the last two years and they have come to the conclusion that the problem cannot be fixed. It knocks so badly theat when I took it to one of the service centers, the shop manager told me that the timing belt must have slipped off for it to run that poorly. This manager worked on the truck a number of times and this last time had it in the shop for over a week calling back and forth with the Ford engineers in Dearborn, Michigan. He still couldn't fix the problem even after reprograming the computer on three different occasions. The two other dealers couldn't fix it either. At the end of all this each of the dealers smiled as they told me that I'd "just have to live with it." The dealer I bought it from has recognized that the problem exists, they can't fix it, and are unwilling to take it back.

I mentioned my problem to a local auto-parts dealer and he has a fleet of three Ford Rangers for his business just like mine with the same 2.5 liter engine and has had the exact same problem with pre-detonation. He's also had a number of customers complaining of predetonation with the 6 cylinder Rangers, too. He's fed up with his Ford trucks and said he will never buy another one.

Ford knows they have a problem with their small engines and it's such that they have not been able to solve it. My suggestion to anyone wishing to purchase a small truck is to buy anything but a Ford. I mean anything. The Ford Corporation is very good at selling trucks, but in my opinion is worthless in backing them up and making sure they run well after they have your money. I know for myself I will never own another Ford and neither will any of my family. This is not the way to treat a customer.

I to bought a 99 ford ranger. It's a super cab 4x4 and has the v-6 3.0. Now when I first purchased it, I purchased it used by the way, 15 minutes into driving my first real vechile that I purchased the check engine light goes on. I was devistated. They determined it was a pin size hole in the hose leading to the gas tank. Not only did I work hard for the money to purchase the vechile, but I gave up my trusty truck as a trade in. Well the next day after about 5 hours. I was told that the truck was mine, I signed the contract they said. But take in my mind I had not yet given the money down I said I would nor the title to my trade. Well they then said if needed they would call the police and escort me off the lot with my truck. Well I notice things here and there. I think it was in a wreck, badly done spot jobs on scrathes, the driver's side door is badly aligned, the ash tray is burnt, and etc. Well even after the big money down and trade in, I still owe on the vechile for the next 4 years. Well I learned a lot from my first experience. I figure bad or good, its my truck and little by little I'm fixing it up and yes one day what goes around comes around. Would I buy ford again... nah because I have truck and I'll fix it up like I want it.

Bought a '99 XLT extended cab 4.0 liter V6 in October 2000 with 16,000 miles on it. All I have to say is thank god I bought a 100,000 mile extended warranty on the power-train and non-wear parts! The truck now has 57,000 miles on it, and it's in for repairs more often than I need an oil change. Items that have been replaced:

2003 - Fuel Injectors (I didn't have them do this repair, and have suffered no problems to date)

2003 - Full tune up

2003 - Idle Control

2003 - L. front lower ball joint

2003 - L. Front control arm (i think)

2002 - upper ball joints all around

2002 - rear brakes and drums, full replacement

2002 - L. Front tie-rod end busted

2002 - Tires all around (of course) The wilderness AT's were replaced with Goodyear's that are so noisy I've had the truck in 3 times for extremely loud wheel noise when driving.

2001 - Front pads and rotors.

These are the repairs I can remember. I realize this is a truck, but I feel like I'm driving a bulldozer. It's noisy, handles like crap, the service departments can't diagnose problems and look for anything they can to repair. It took me a while to wise up, but I realized that all of these things should not need be breaking on a truck that is used primarily for commuting. I don't commute over jeep trails; this is an off-road vehicle that for all purposes is babied on paved roads 340 days out of the year. The only time it's off road is when I'm camping or mountain biking or whatever. I love the truck, but I spend more time fixing it than driving it. I'm cringing to think what I have coming in the next 43,000 miles. Caveat emptor.

I own a 1994 Ford ranger with a 4.0 v-6, the truck has 182,000 miles on it, only thing I ever done to the truck is replace the clutch, but as the truck has turned over 180,000 miles it pings real bad going up hill and picking up speed to get on the interstate. Other than that, I like the truck very much...

I bought a used 98 Ranger XLT ext cab in 2001. When I got it, I took a look under the hood and noticed two things, 1st, there was oil on the head and 2nd, there was anti-freeze on the head in the same spot. This was exactly one day from the point of purchase. I had the foresight to buy a Ford extended warranty to the tune of two thousand dollars and I have never regretted that. They told me that the oil was from a bad valve cover and it also had a bad head gasket on the same side of the engine. I've put over fifty thousand kilometers (damn Canadian ;o)..) on the 4.0 engine and other than two upper ball joints, a new rad and ANOTHER head gasket (opposite side.) It really has never let me down. The Dealer in my area has been great for supplying me with both proper repairs and rental cars while my truck was in being repaired. They have gone above and beyond the warranty specs as I am still having a bit of an issue with a anti-freeze smell and my warranty has expired about 10,000 kilometers ago. The truck has never gone down any amount of water and has never over heated, but there is still the smell of Anti-freeze from it if you run it hard... and trust me, I do. I've been known to load it with furniture, throw a trailer behind it, also loaded with furniture and haul it across the highways at 85 miles an hour (about 140 km/h to us Canadians :o) ) never been a performance issue. How-ever, is it me or are the rear springs in this vehicle lacking? Seems like they sag with even 200 lbs in the back. Anyone else having these issues? e-mail me with any comments... Earle___@msn.com.

The reviewer talks about being passed out drunk like it is something to be proud of. I hope you do not drive in that condition.

I bought my 1999 Ford Ranger XLT in Feb 09. It had 135,000 miles on it. I have not change the oil or anything. I put 30,000 miles since then. Other than it not having 4x4, it's the best damn truck I've ever had. I just went on a 300 miles trip and didn't even burn half a tank of gas. I love my truck.

RE 22:07: the review was posted 8 years ago. The reviewer has either grown up or died by now.

I have a 1998 Ford Ranger XLT long bed. It has 290,000 miles on it. I have replaced a lot of parts on it, but the engine still runs like new. Just change oil every four thousand miles. When I reach 400,000 I will let all of you know. I had a Toyota and a Nissan; neither one even reached 75,000 miles.

I own a 1999 Ford Ranger 4X4 XLT Off Road. 3.0 6 cyl flex fuel, 5 spd manual trans. I bought it used in 2003 with 40,000 miles on it. Now has 94,000 miles, and no problems at all! This has been the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned, and I am 50 years old. I had considered trading it in on the cash for clunkers deal, but I just could not part with it. It's been too good to me. I just had it detailed, so it is sort of like a new truck to me! ;}