Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Ford F-150 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford f-150. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire. The contact was alerted to the fire by neighbors. The security video footage showed that smoke originated from the engine compartment. Five minutes later, the vehicle was engulfed in flames. A police report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 05V017000 (vehicle speed control); however, the contact was not notified of the recall. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Around 1:30 am on Thursday nov. 24th, I received a call from my neighbor saying my truck was on fire. The fire department said it looked like it was an electrical problem. That it looked like it started under the hood. The truck had been driven to the store the morning before the fire, and was parked at the time of the fire.
Dt: Ford f150 1999. Before the fire, there was a problem with fuses starting on 6/9/05. There was no turn signal. The turn signals returned after replacing the fuse/brake lights, hazards, owner thought it was fuse #23 or 20. The vehicle caught on fire while sitting in the driveway. The fire occurred in the wires going into the master cylinder under hood. There was a smell coming from under the hood the same day of fire at about 12:30 and then fire happened at 6 pm. When outside owner smelled a strong odor like smoke. Then smoke came from under hood. The owner opened the hood and there were flames about 6 inches high coming out. The fire was put out by hose and then owner tried to start vehicle. Started it and didn't smoke, but there was a blown fuse that governed the hazard lights, etc. Owner believed it was an electrical fire. The fire department was not called nor police. …
Dt: the contact owns a 1999 Ford f150. At 3 am while sleeping the contact woke up to the sound of the anti alarm system going off. Went out and found that the hood melted and the fire was coming out of the front of the vehicle. Called 911. In the meantime the contact's husband tried to put the flames out with an extinguisher. The vehicle burned completely except for the back bumper and the back tires. Then , basically the fire department came and put the fire out. After the fire was put out the contact called the insurance company, and they investigated the fire, and found out that the fire was started due to the alternator. Two days prior to the vehicle catching on fire the contact received manufacturer's recall 05528 concerning cruise control deactivation switch. Never changed the alternator or the wires. The contact's boat and home were damaged .
Tl contact owned a 1999 Ford f150. The contact stated that after driving 1/4 mile and then parking the vehicle near the garage the truck caught fire while it was turned off. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. There were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. Ford has not been contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. Updated 09/16-10 updated 09/20/10 the consumer stated the fire started under the hood. Prior to the fire, the battery light illuminated. Updated 09/20/10. Updated 08/01/11 the consumer stated the fire started under the hood. The fire dept. Did not know what caused the fire. Six days before the fire, the battery light illuminated. The consumers husband had the vehicle inspected and everything checked out fine. Updated 08/02/11
While backing out of a parking space at 8 MPH the vehicle suddenly accelerated backwards up to 60 MPH. The shifter was moved drive and the vehicle continued to accelerate forward. The brakes would not stop the vehicle. As a result the vehicle slammed into an embankment. Vehicle was taken to the dealer where the replaced the mass air glow sensor and throttle assembly. The bed of the truck was pushed outward on the passenger side. The dealer cleaned and lubed the latches. The passenger side striker was shimmed and adjusted.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford f-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and ignited in flames. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven earlier that day but the vehicle seemed to function normally. The contact stated that the fire department was able to extinguish the fire. There was a fire report filed and the fire department advised that the fire originated from the instrument panel. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 243,000.
Dt: 2001 Ford f150. The cruise control sensor caught on fire on August 9, 2005. The consumer was driving the vehicle when this happened. Smoke started coming out of the hood, he pulled over. The smoke and flames were coming from the sensor. The fire department was not called. The vehicle was then driven to the dealership, they stated it was not under warranty, and it was not a recall item . Consumer had to pay for the damages $120 plus for the fuses that blew out.
HVAC interior fan begins to be intermediate at all setting but highest setting. The resistor fails on all but highest setting. Short in wire harness started a smoldering fire at connector. All resistors are open air and rusted assumed do to its proximity to the evaporator. Failure exactly like this one experienced by other owners. Http://www.f150online.com/forums/articles-how-tos/378955-heater-blower-fan-fix-only-high-speed.html.
Tl* - the contact owns a 1999 Ford f150. The contact stated that on 01/27/2007 the vehicle was parked on the street, when a neighbor alerted him that the vehicle was on fire. The contact stated that the vehicle was not working any differently prior to the fire. The vehicle had been turned off for approximately 40 minutes, when it began smoking and caught on fire. Made 3rd attempt 10/16/07 left message.
NHTSA investigations
Engine compartment fires
Ea05-005 is closed with Ford?s actions in recalls 05v-017, 05v-388, and 06v-286, recalling approximately 6.7 million vehicles equipped with texas instruments speed control deactivation switches (scds).the brake systems in these recalled vehicles generate a vacuum that can potentially cause the scds to fail and, in certain switch installation orientations, catch fire.Ford is also including the entire population of…
Electrical complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1999 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 85 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Ford F-150, 8% of the model year's 1,044 complaints. The component named most often is wiring (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford F-150 electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1999 Ford F-150, though it has 7 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 F-150 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 25 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.