Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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 was driving 45 MPH when the dimmer switch caught on fire and melted the wires. The contact mentioned that the headlights were inoperable. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 171,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford f-150. The contact stated that the brake lights intermittently operated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
Approximately two weeks ago (10/2014) I noticed that the headlights on my 1999 Ford f-150 were not working. A few times once I returned to home I noticed that when I shifted the truck into park, the headlights came on. It did not appear to matter if the high beam or low beam lights were activated. I started to inspect the headlight operation and noticed that when I tilted the steering wheel to it's lowest position, typically it's operating position, the headlights turned off. When I tilted the wheel up slightly to the next position, the headlights would come on. Today, 10/19/2014 I removed the trim around the steering column and noticed that there are two wires that have broken and separated from the wiring harnesses that attach to the turn signal assembly and several contacts that are loose in the upper harness. …
I purchased this Ford f150 1999 about seven years ago. I have noticed from the first time I drove it, when I first start it up I hear a series of dings (like ones you would hear for seat belt not fastened), but the seat belts are fastened. My radio sometimes has power and works, other times it has no power to come on. Sometimes my odometer is on and I can read my mileage, most of the time its off. Sometimes when the blower fan is being used it does not go of when the ignition key is turned off and removed, the only way to stop this problem is to disconnect the battery. I have heard on occasions, a clicking sound behind the dashboard area, again the only way to make this problem stop was to disconnect the battery connections. I fear it May lead to, or cause a fire somehow. …
Complaint received via e-mail. The turn signals, emergency flashers and the brake lights failed to function. It began as an infrequent problem occurring more and more and lasting longer in duration. I thought the problem only involved the turn signals and emergency flashers. I only found out about the brake light malfunctioned after looking over a wiring diagram of the vehicle. The remedy for the problem, per a car web site, is routed the emergency switch. Depressing the switch numerous times seems to clean the contacts, solving the problem, at least so far.
Dt: the windshield wipers come on while the switch is turned off. The problem is an off and on issue. The problem started on July 20, 2005. Sometimes when turning the turn signal light on it will happen, and sometimes when turning left they will come on. Over the phone a dealership told the consumer that they thought it was due to the turn signal.
Digital odometer light turns on & off. Door ajar light, dome light, and automatic door locks go on & off also. Electrical problems May be the "gem module." seat belts do not retract getting cut/damaged from door latch when door is closed, they have been replaced once already. Ford engineers were notified nearly six months ago but no reply.
Dt the brake lights were not working, checked the bulbs, had a topper wired into them . Took that off and disconnected it. Tried flashers, they worked. Checked fuses, figured it was one of the two switches, either the one on the reservoir or the one the pedal up under the dashboard. Found out yesterday on July 20, 2005.
The odometer in my 1999 Ford f150 pickup does not light up when the ignition is turned on until it has been driven for a while. It does eventually come on but has taken longer and longer as the vehicle has aged. This has been a problem for more than 2 years and seems to be getting worse.
Have had problems with the turn signals, brake lights, and windshield wipers on my 1999 Ford f-150. On a recent trip to indiana I noticed that when the steering wheel was tilted down so that my wife could drive, the turn signals stopped working. While in indiana a man was nice enough to flag me down to let me know that my break lights were not working. I took the truck to eby Ford sales (June 6, 2003) in goshen for repair. They indicated that the multifunction switch disconnected when the steering wheel was tilted down. So they lengthened the connector assembly wires and that seems to have solved the problem. On December 17, 2001, I took my truck into prince Ford in douglas georgia and told them that my windshield wipers would just come on for no reason. …
Headlight complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 1999 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the lights of the 1999 Ford F-150, 2% of the model year's 1,044 complaints. The component named most often is turn signal › switch (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford F-150 headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to lights 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.