Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
When backing up after my f150 has been sitting about 2 days I have no brakes unless I rev up the engine for about 20 sec to build up pressure in the electric vacuum brake booster. Have almost hit my wife's car if I forget to let it sit to build up pressure. I have contacted my Ford dealer and they won't do anything about it because I am past the warranty. I am going to have to replace it myself because this is unsafe condition and Ford won't repair it. Also my truck loses power sometimes when accelerating and Ford stated that the turbo chargers are sometimes sucking in water that shuts down one side of the engine to prevent damage to the turbo chargers. There fix is to put a shield or longer tube on it to prevent this. Again because it is over the warranty period they won't do anything. Very disappointed in my f-150 3.5 EcoBoost and won't be buying another one.
Top front of fuel tank rusted out and fuel leaks especially when tank is full . Other areas on top are also very close to rusting thru . Ironically there was a recall few years ago to replace the 2 gas tank holding straps and the Ford dealer said the gas tank was fine ?!? So either he was blind or didn't have a flash light or have an inspection mirror or was too lazy to replace the gas tank because it isn't an easy job ? I feel that Ford has endangered my life and my family's life due to their blatant show of incompetence and irresponsibility ! Once the gasoline should ignite it will catch the gas tank on fire resulting in a fireball and explosion . I also have any more pictures if needed . Thank you,
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford f-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to be inspected vehicle. The muffler was removed and corrosion was discovered on the fuel tank straps. The contact stated that there was also an odor of gasoline underneath the vehicle. El cajon Ford 1595 e main st, el cajon, ca 92021 was contacted and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not subjected to a recall. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 11V385000 (fuel system, gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 22,000. The VIN was invalid.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford f-150. While the vehicle was parked and shut off, the contact heard a loud explosion. He inspected the vehicle and noticed flames coming from the hood. The vehicle was completely destroyed. A fire fighter extinguished the fire and a report was filed. The contact has pictures of the incident and is in the process of notifying Ford. The failure and current mileages were 127,000. Updated 09/17/08. The consumer stated there May have been a pin hole in the fuel rail. Updated 09/25/08.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford f150. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, there was an abnormal grinding from the vehicle. The contact discovered that the fuel tank had detached from the vehicle and caused fuel to spill. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who found that the fuel tank straps were corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The fire and police department were dispatched and a police report was filed. The failure and current mileage was 110,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford f-150. The contact stated that the fuel straps were fractured due to corrosion. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was confirmed that the fuel straps failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V385000 (fuel system, gasoline). The failure mileage was approximately 79,585.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford f-150. While the contact was pulling into his place of residence at 5 MPH, the fuel tank straps fractured and caused the fuel tank to drop forcefully. The contact was unaware that the fuel straps were loose or had any ability to become fractured. The dealer was notified, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 172,444.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford f-150. While driving 20 MPH, the fuel tank detached from the vehicle and fractured. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 146,000.
1999 Ford f150 2wd truck with 80,000 miles the fuel tank fell out of the truck. Upon investigation, it was found that the fuel tank straps has corroded apart. When re-installing new straps, it was found that the fuel fill tube was corroded, as well, with several holes in it. Also, while re-attaching fuel tank it was found that the rear three cross-members were on there way to corroding into two pieces, and had already completely broken in other places. Upon removal of pick-up truck bed for examination, it was found that the rear spring shackle pins had corroded away, leaving no support. Further, the frame rails were corroded to the point that they could be bent by hand- no tools used! This should be a major safety recall by Ford as an unsuspecting user hauling a trailer May loose their trailer, despite safety chains attached, causing injury, or death, and property damage. …
My daughter was driving my 1999 Ford f150 truck (approx. 145,000 odometer miles) at 35 MPH when one (probably the front), or both, gas tank straps broke. She dragged the tank about 300 yards before stopping. Both straps were broken by that time and the tank was on the ground with a deep dent the size of a baseball and the metal scraped clean in the front right bottom corner of the tank. In attempting to strap up the tank, the damaged portion was scraped on the ground, which opened a seam up and fuel began leaking. I had to unbolt and take out the fuel pump because I couldn't figure out how to disconnect the fuel line fittings. The fuel intake hose was snapped off. I had to clip/cut the fuel sensor wires because I couldn't unlatch the sensor wires. Another small hose came off (fuel overflow hose?) easily. …
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Mounting
Ford is recalling certain 1997 through 2003 model year Ford f-150, 2004 model year Ford f-150 heritage, 1997 through 1999 model year f-250 less than 8,500 lbs. Gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr), and 2002 and 2003 Lincoln blackwood vehicles manufactured from June 20, 1995, through August 4, 2004, originally sold, or currently…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the fuel tank straps replaced with straps that have increased corrosion protection.
Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. The fuel pressure regulator o-ring May have been damaged when the fuel pressure regulator was installed in the engine fuel rail. If the o-ring is damaged, fuel vapor or leakage could occur.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pressure regulator.
NHTSA investigations
Fuel Tank Strap Corrosion/Rust
One or both of the steel straps holding up the fuel tank and attaching it to the truck frame can corrode and break.If one strap breaks, the tank may tilt and drop and possibly contact the road surface.If both straps break, the entire tank may drop to the road.If either failure occurs while the vehicle is being driven, contact with the road can abrade the tank and create a hole from which gasoline can spill.When the…
Fuel Tank Strap Failure Due to Corrosion
One or both of the steel straps holding up the fuel tank and attaching it to the truck frame can corrode and fail (break or separate).If one strap fails, the tank may tilt and drop and possibly contact the road surface.If both straps break, the entire tank may drop to the road.If either failure occurs while the vehicle is being driven, contact with the road can abrade the tank and create a hole from which gasoline…
Fuel System complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1999 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 132 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1999 Ford F-150, 13% of the model year's 1,044 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly › mounting (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford F-150 fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-385 (mounting, Jul 29, 2011); NHTSA recall 98V-194 (fuel injection system, Aug 19, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Ford F-150 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 139,000 miles, and 1% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion 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.