Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Ford F-250 SD owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Dt*: the contact stated while backing down a hill at 4 MPH, smoke was noticed coming from under the hood. The vehicle was stopped, the hood was raised, and flames were noticed coming from the passenger side of the engine. The contact extinguished the fire by putting snow on the engine compartment. There was nothing unusual about the way the vehicle had operated prior to the fire. The contact expressed that the fire could have been caused due to transmission fluid leaking onto the catalytic converter. The dealer or manufacturer were not contacted. The automatic transmission was replaced 3 times prior to the incident. Updated 12/28/2006 -
I have a 1999 Ford f250 superduty 6 speed manual. I have 61000 miles on it. Today the clutch pedal stuck to the floor when I was at a stop sign. The clutch slave/master cylinder went out. ...again. Luckily I knew how to drive a vehicle with a bad clutch. I had to shift a couple of times without the clutch pedal just to get it home. At least I was just down the street from my house. When the clutch slave/master cylinder goes out the clutch peddle loses pressure and lets the clutch engage and the truck starts rolling. This exact thing has gone out on my truck twice in the last 7 months. I just wanted to report this since it could be very dangerous if one of these went out when someone was standing in front or behind the vehice and the vehicle ran them over or even if it went out at an intersection and the truck rolls into the intersection before someone can stop it. …
My 1999 f250 crew cab diesel's transmission spewed transmission fluid three times. The first and second times I had a Ford dealership's mechanics fix the seal at a cost of around $900. The third time I had a private transmission shop fix it correctly for $2,200. Apparently the transmission seal has 2/1000s of an inch clearance and when overheated it blows. The transmission shop owner listed other defects with Ford's transmissions from 1999-2002 also. He said Ford has remedied the problem of its newer models. I don't know why I had to pay almost $4,000 for a faulty designed transmission. My $1,500 extended warranty (national warranty) didn't even pay for any expenses due to its bankruptcy and it being incorporated in the caymen islands. Am I the only 1999 f250 owner with transmission problems?
A year ago my 1999 Ford f-250 with the triton v-10 blew a spark plug out of the head. I thought that the spark plug had not been tightened properly and had worked its way loose. I replaced all the spark plugs at that time as well as the coil for that cylinder. A week ago I was driving down the road and a different spark plug blew out of the cylinder although this time all the thread had been stripped and I have to remove the head and heli-coil the head to ensure a proper fitting spark plug. After a little bit of researching on-line it didn't take me long to realize that I am not the only one to have experienced this. I believe that it is a true safety issue and needs to be looked into. Please feel free to give me a call for more information in this matter.
Towing an empty horse trailer, when I started to experience the vehicle struggling to pull it. When I got home and was backing the trailer up, the drive went out on the vehicle, I was left with only reverse and drive 1. Now the dealership says they cannot find anything wrong with the transmission and it's going to cost around $900.00 dollars for them to tear it apart and take a look. I do have extended warranty insurance, but they will not cover the cost of the tear down unless they do find something wrong, and looking at some of the other problems associated with the transmission I cannot afford to have them tear it down, find nothing wrong and put it back together again several times before they do find what's malfunctioned.
Truck wanders on road and pulls when brakes applied, dealer was told of this problem since viehicle was purchased they never could find the problem. I have owned this viehicle for 3 years and have replaced brake pads 3 times and have had to replace the hubs twice myself at my expence out of warranty now. There was almost a fatality when I applied the brakes my truck pulled me into the ditch sliding and rocking from drivers side to passenger side up on two wheels. My airbag light flashes on and off. Who knows if they even work. My overdrive switch has been replaced 4 times and is broke again. Door ajar lite on constantly. But quality Ford cant find or offer me some kind of solution. They need to be investigated.
Shortly after my truck rolled over 106,000 it started making some very loud rattling sounds. After a few false starts with diagnosis, it was found that it had a bad torque converter and there is a TSB on the same subject dated 1999 (the same year as my truck) and the problem was recognized but not fixed at the factory, just told my mechanic to replace the part to the tune of $373 for the part and $275 labor. They said the replacement had a new design to keep the same problem from happening again. Why when in 1999 didn't they fix the problem to start with?
Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford f-250. The contact stated that the lockout hub was broken and it caused the 4 wheel drive to disengage. The lockout hubs were replaced four times. The manufacturer stated that there was nothing that they could do since the warranty expired. The contact would like for the manufacturer to assume the repair cost since an authorized mechanic confirmed that this failure is common for his year, make and model vehicle. The failure mileage was 30,000.
1999 Ford fwiw turbo diesel with 78,972 miles on 10-8-02 noise/rattle in engine. Determined to be torque converter. Replaced and repaired torque converter, also replaced front transmission seal. 10-29-02 leaking transmission fluid, transmission extremely burnt/ torque converter has internally burnt ,causing internal damage to transmission. Replaced torque converter. On 4-12-07 transmission fluid leaked, torque converter replaced and front pump.
First day-accessories stay on while ignition switch is turned off & key is removed. Second day-batteries goes dead, wipers turn on by themselves, speedometer quits, transmission will not shift, 2 different buzzing noise from under dash, dome lights flashing on & off, ABS brake lights come on. We have had no recent mechanical work done. No single source causes all these problems at one time.
Transmission complaints in other F-250 SD years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1999 Ford F-250 SD?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1999 Ford F-250 SD, 9% of the model year's 249 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford F-250 SD transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 1999 Ford F-250 SD, though it has 2 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-250 SD transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.