Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Ford F-250 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On februaary 3, 2001 my wife was pulling into the customer pickup area of sears in amarillo, texas as she pulled up to the pickup area and removed her foot from the accelerator to apply the brakes, the accelerator stuck and our pickup truck rammed the backend of another pickup truck in from her. She shifted to revers, the engine still running at a rapid speed, to back away from the vehicle that she had rammed. Since the engine ws running at a high speed, our vehicle raced backward. In order to keep from backing tnto someone behindher, she then shifted into forward gear and rammed the pickup in front of her again. All of this time the rear tires were spinning and smoking. After she rammed the pickup the second time, she turned the ignition off to stop the crazy situation. …
10/11/98 appox 1100 mi - truck surged when brake pedal was pressed. This was second time. 10/13/98 1180 mi - 3rd occurrence - same but greater surge requiring excessive pressure to avoid hitting car at intersection. Morning - engine cold. Distance from start (home driveway) to intersection appox. 200 yards. 10/15/98 1308 mi - 4th occurrence - left parking space after work (3:30 pm) and traveled 100 feet and applied brake to make left turn. Engine surged requiring all my power to avoid crashing into side of parked van with passenger inside. 10/21/98 1358 mi - left at northport Ford - company could not detect any problem and still has the truck (as of 10/27/98). I fear that the increasingly powerful accelerations when the brake is applied will result in an unavoidable accident and am leaving the vehicle at the dealer until the problem is identified and fixed. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford f-250. The contact stated that while attempting to merge into traffic with the brakes engaged, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 135,000...updated 05/22/13 the consumer stated the battery cable was removed and reinstalled in order to reset the computer. The failure has yet to recur. Updated 06/10/2013
Dt*: the contact stated there were currently no problems with the cruise control. However, the contact was made aware, by a friend, of the recent Ford recall. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer who confirmed the cruise control part number matched that of NHTSA recall, #05V388000, regarding the vehicle speed control. However, the vehicle is not included in the recall due to the VIN.
When trying to accelerate truck lost acceleration and went into idle condition, and vehicle was almost rear ended. Took vehicle to dealer, and they replaced the throttle position sensor at 40,000 miles. At 87,000 miles the problem returned.
While in reverse vehicle suddenly/ unexpectedly accelerated, resulting in a minor injury. Driver put vehicle in drive and the vehicle proceeded to accelerate, eventually resulting in a minor collision. Manufacturer will be notified.
At 20,000 miles ongoing problem with loss of power after 1/2 hours of running and stalling out when applying accelerator pedal from a stop position. Vehicle been in dealer shop on five occasions, and probelem still reoccurring. Dealer has replaced the fuel pump, air flow sensor, mass air flow sensor, and the o2 sensors, some of these have been replaced more than once and vehicle continues to lose power and stall. Door ajar light illuminated, dealer ordered left door jam switch. Fuel gauge reads full when it is not, dealer replaced fuel sender. Consumer states passenger front rim is warped. Shifter handle bezel keeps popping off, transmission would not go into all gears, when backing in reverse, ther is a squealing noise. Left door cylinder replaced. ABS light illuminated when going in reverse. Air conditioner does not get cold.
Consumer took car to dealer for recall letter that was received. Dealer was supposed to have fixed the problem. Consumer received another recall letter. Took it to another dealer,and they told consumer that the first recall had not been taken care off. Consumer has notified the manufacturer, and they have initiated a complaint against the dealer. Recall 98V192/speed control cable.
Cruise control not designed to automatically disengage upon encountering slippage. This problem resulted in several cases of loss of control and one accident(rollover) when driving on slippery roads . When the vehicle encounters slippage the engine goes back and forth between full throttle and idle, this problem continues until driver is able to disengage cruise control.
The vehicle with v10 engine will accelerate when it is in second gear or when it is shifting gears up to 3000 RPM, and will not deaccelerate properly, consumer must ride brakes to deaccelrate.manufacturer's engineering department is aware of defect .
Related recalls
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.
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.
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.
Acceleration complaints in other F-250 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 1999 Ford F-250?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 1999 Ford F-250, 6% of the model year's 581 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford F-250 acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 06V-286 (vehicle speed control, Aug 1, 2006); NHTSA recall 05V-388 (vehicle speed control, Sep 7, 2005); NHTSA recall 99V062001 (vehicle speed control, Mar 30, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Ford F-250 acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 3 fires and 2 injuries to speed control & acceleration 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.