Most common 1999 Ford F-250 problems
Share of the 581 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford F-250 complaints by model year
Best F-250 years: 2010, 2009, 2007. Years to avoid: 1999, 2000, 2012, 2011, 2006. Compare all years →
1999 Ford F-250 recalls (14)
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.
Vehicle speed control
On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch May overheat.
Remedy: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. The recall began on August 7, 2006. Owners May contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. (note: also see recalls 05V017 and 05V388)
Vehicle speed control
On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control, the speed control deactivation switch May overheat, smoke, or burn.
Remedy: By letter dated September 12, 2005, owners were instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected.
Parking brake › Conventional › Mechanical › Linkage and cable
On certain pickup trucks equipped with manual transmissions, failure of the front parking brake cable input button could result in failure of the parking brake system to hold the vehicle stationary.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front parking brake cable and the controller and verify the performance of the parking brake system. Owner notification began April 5, 2002.
Equipment › Other › Labels
Vehicle description: bi-fuel cng pickup trucks and bi-fuel cng vans, modified by cfi control systems, inc., fail to conform to the requirements of FMVSS no. 303, "fuel system integrity of compressed natural gas vehicles." the label affixed to the fuel filler door by the vehicle modifier contains the inspection date and…
Remedy: Owners will be provided a label with the required statement, along with instructions for affixing the label at the fuel filler door. Owner notification began November 2, 2000.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Vehicle description: pickup trucks equipped with gasoline engines and 8 foot boxes, May not fully satisfy the requirements of FMVSS no. 301, "fuel system integrity." in a 30 MPH frontal barrier crash test, a fuel tank vapor recovery valve separated internally.
Remedy: Dealers will install a stop plate assembly on the vehicle frame to prevent recovery valve contact with a frame crossmember during the impact sequence.
Show 8 more recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Vehicle description: gasoline and diesel engine pickup trucks equipped with 8 foot beds, do not fully satisfy the requirements of FMVSS no. 301, "fuel system integrity." the fuel tank front strap isolator May not be properly positioned which could result in the strap cutting the tank during a 30 MPH front barrier test,…
Remedy: Dealers will reposition the front strap isolator.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Mounting
Vehicle description: pickup trucks equipped with 6" beds manufactured from January 5, 1998 through June 4, 1999, do not not fully satisfy the post crash test static rollover requirements of FMVSS no.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tank locator bracket with a similar bracket whose design has been revised to incorporate more rounded surfaces where contact with the tank occurs.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Vehicle description: gasoline and diesel engine pickup trucks equipped with 6" and 8" beds manufactured from January 5, 1998 through March 21, 1999, do not not fully satisfy the post crash test static rollover requirements of FMVSS no.
Remedy: Dealers will augment the box-to-chassis attachment by installing box-to-chassis retaining cables.
Vehicle speed control
Vehicle description: certain 1997-1999 rhd explorer equipped with 4.0l ohv/sohc engines and cruise control built from May 29, 1996 through March 4, 1999; 1998-1999 explorer/mountaineers equipped with 4.0l ohv/sohc or 5.0l engines or 1998-1999 rangers equipped with 2.5l, 3.0l ffv/efi or 4.0l engines and cruise control built from…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the cruise control cables. At the present time, the replacement cables are not available. Customers are being advised not to use the cruise control system until a replacement can be made.
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Vehicle description: light duty trucks. The cast tow hooks changes the crash pulse of the vehicle in frontal barrier impacts and the air bag sensor was not calibrated to this new crash pulse which May cause the air bags to deploy in lower speed impacts than design intent.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the cast tow hooks with forged hooks.
Vehicle speed control › Cables
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. A speed control cable May not have fully seated into the accelerator bracket at time of installation. If the cable is not fully seated into this bracket, the cable could separate from the bracket.
Remedy: Dealers will add a retaining clip to the speed control cable fitting at the accelerator bracket.
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.
Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
Vehicle description: medium duty trucks and chassis-cabs. One or more of the four rivets on the lower steering shaft flex coupling May not have been crimped during the sub-assembly process.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the lower steering shaft rivets and replace any shafts with uncrimped rivets.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 1999 Ford F-250:
Parking brake failure
On May 11, 1998, Ford motor company filed a defect information report concerning parking brake failure on certain 1999 f-350 super duty vehicles built at the kentucky truck plant from January 26, 1998 through April 24, 1998; recall 98v-101.the reduction in parking brake effectiveness May occur on some of these vehicles, and is caused by the rust preventative coating the surface of the parking brake lining material…
Steering shaft fracture
Alleged that the steering shaft May fracture
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…
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
On September 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 Ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or…
What 1999 Ford F-250 owners say
Wheels & tires all 115 →
The Belt in the tire separated while driving. This caused a "Bubble" to form causing my truck to shake violently and required changing to the spare tire. If this happened on the highway I could have lost control and caused an accident. I took my truck to a tire installer who documented the above finding and noted the tire was properly inflated and there were no impact marks on the tread or sidewalls. I am currently working with the supplier but they are being unreasonable with the requirements to have it inspected. No other reps have been contacted at this time. No ( its a 24 year old truck, I don't have any tire related warning lamps) LT235/85 R16
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford f-250. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the spare tire detached and went under the trailer that was being hauled. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the median. A police report was not filed. The contact went to the hospital, but there were no injuries. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was being repaired. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000.
Brakes all 108 →
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford f 250. While driving approximately 5 MPH and making a left turn, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to decelerate without warning. The contact observed that there was fuel leaking from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake line was severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not 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 180,000. Updated 11/23/15
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford f-250. While attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal extended to the floorboard and the vehicle failed to stop. The contact discovered brake fluid was leaking under the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the brake lines were corroded, causing brake fluid to leak from the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 180,000.
Engine & cooling all 82 →
The contact owns a 1999 Ford F-250. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated for approximately 30 seconds. The contact would turn off and restart the vehicle and the vehicle would return to normal operation. The contact stated he took his vehicle to several independent mechanics and was informed that the camshaft sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that similar vehicles were included in NHTSA Campaign number 07V553000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 300,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford f-250. When the contact exited and returned to the vehicle, it made an abnormal sound when it was restarted. Suddenly, a fire erupted under the hood, which spread to the cabin of the vehicle. The driver fell and hurt her knee while attempting to exit the vehicle quickly. Medical treatment was required. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. There was extensive damage to the front end of the vehicle. The insurance company was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was notified. The dealer was not contacted. The cause of the failure was not determined. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 300,000.
1999 Ford F-250 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 12 / 17 / 14 |
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 13 / 17 / 14 |
| 5.4L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 12 / 16 / 14 |
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 15 / 13 |
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 16 / 13 |
| 5.4L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 11 / 14 / 12 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Ford F-250 a good car?
Based on 581 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 F-250 rates avoid: 4.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the F-250 at the same age. It is one of the F-250 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Ford F-250?
The wheels & tires — 115 complaints, 20% of all complaints for this model year, most often about tread/belt. Next are the brakes (108) and engine & cooling (82).
How many recalls does the 1999 Ford F-250 have?
There are 14 recalls for the 1999 Ford F-250, the most recent from July 29, 2011 (mounting). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford F-250?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2010, 2009 and 2007. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999, 2000, 2012, 2011 and 2006. See the full Ford F-250 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Ford F-250 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 99,000 miles; 16% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.