Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Ford F-350 SD owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I purchased a 1999 f-350 super duty dually. From records from the pervious owners problems and the problems I have had with this truck, I can not belive service problems I have had. A couple of months ago the parking brake blew when I was on almost level ground and need least to say the truck rolled and crashed, lucky not one was hurt.but it did quit a bit of damage to the truck and my trailor. Now I know this is a problem on these fords but not yet on my perticulare truck. Also in the last three months I have put in a new clutch witch is expected. And have had close to $ 3,000 in brake repairs????? That was not!!!drums cracking,hubs exploading witch I understand in a problem too but not on my truck yet?????? Please have some one contact me I need some guidence, information, help I have had no help from Ford.
I was traveling on the expressway with my 99 Ford f-350 pulling a 5th wheel trailer when the front driver's side tire blew out. As I wrestled the truck to the shoulder, the brakes completely failed. As far as I could tell, even the electronic brakes on the trailer weren't helping to stop me as I drifted to a stop on the shoulder. The tire tread when it shredded apparently blew out a vacuum hose and there May have been some other connector or line associated with the ABS system that was affected - but I think it was just the vacuum hose. The mechanic who got us back on the road said that when the hose went out, the ABS system thought the tire was locked so it shut off the brakes - apparently all of them. If I had been in city traffic, we'd have plowed into vehicles in front of us potentially resulting in death or severe injury for someone. …
I have had two major problems with this truck. My first issue was very dangerous in my opinion. The cam sensor went out which caused my truck to suddenly stop while I was driving it. Every system shut down including brakes. More than once I was going 70mph and it suddenly stopped - I had to guide myself to the shoulder and stop the truck with no brakes. Very very scary! I had the truck to several dealers al told me they had no idea what was wrong. Finally I talked to my cousin, a Dodge mechanic, he explained that Ford knew of a serious defect with their cam sensor on that year truck - he explained what it should cost to fix it. I took it to a private mechanic and he fixed it in his shop for exactly what my cousin said it would cost. Ford still has not acknowledged they knew of a problem. Second problem was with my brakes. …
Took my truck to the laird noller Ford dealership for a cam sensor recall in November 2008. They could not make the repair that day and my appointment was rescheduled for after christmas 2008. The dealership told me that there was a recall on the parking brake module and they would replace it at the same time they replaced the cam sensor. Approximately a week after christmas (it was a Wednesday) I took it back in for the repairs. They told me they would have it done at the end of the day, but at the end of the day they called back and said it would not be done until the next week. So, that next Monday (January 3rd ish 2009) they called, I went to pick up my truck and all the recall repairs were made. Everything was good until September 17th 2009. I had my truck parked in my driveway, the emergency brake set (it has a manual transmisson), so it would warm up that morning. …
Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford f-350 super duty. The contact was driving at approximately 35 MPH and he depressed the brake pedal, it went down to the floorboard and stuck. The contact was able to safely drive the vehicle home where he checked the brake line and saw that it was corroded on the rear driver side in front of the fuel tank. The vehicle had not taken the vehicle into an authorized dealership for diagnosis but did call; the dealer stated that the contact would have to repair the brake line at his expense. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 72,000.
Truck was parked in garage, facing out of garage. Truck had not been driven for 4 days. Truck had handbreak set when parked. I started truck up due to the number of days it had not been driven to charge battery. Verfyed that handbrake was set ( red brake light was on) and place truck in neuteral (5-speed). (garage door was open due to truck running). I went inside and about 5 min passed looked out kitchen window saw truck at end of drive way. Truck was stopped by tow hook hitting tree. Driver side mirrow hit tree and was folded back.
Tl*- the contact owns a 1999 Ford f 350 SD with a failure mileage of 132,000 miles. While backing out of the garage with his foot on the brake he heard a cracking noise, and realized that the brakes failed. The vehicle rolled backward down the driveway. He had to apply the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic, who stated that the controller failed. Recall 02V068000 was issued for this year, make and model, but this vehicle was not included. The vehicle had not been repaired.
1 operating hour after coming down a 7% grade my 1999 f350 truck with camper suffered complete brake failure due to a corroded brake line. The fault occurred in a clip where moisture and abrasives had been held against the steel brake line. Nearby diesel fuel lines exhibited no rust. Because Ford used steel that can rust for the critical brake line, my family almost lost our lives and potentially caused the deaths of others. The replacement left par of the original brake line in place.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford f-350 superduty. While driving 35 MPH, the contact applied the brakes to slow down and the front brake pads fell off the vehicle. The contact shifted into neutral and rubbed the curb so that the vehicle would stop. The contact called the authorized dealer regarding the failure and the dealer stated that the pads fell off because the rotors were too thin. The brake pads were replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
Rotted out rear brake line behind fuel tank. I was towing a trailer and went to stop at a light and the petal went to the floor. I swerved to avoid the car in front of me. My right lane was empty allowing me to use it as a emergency lane and stop because the trailer had brakes. I limped home for repairs. I replaced the complete brake line from front to rear. It had rotted out behind the fuel tank on the drivers side.
Brake complaints in other F-350 SD years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1999 Ford F-350 SD?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the brakes of the 1999 Ford F-350 SD, 14% of the model year's 142 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford F-350 SD brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1999 Ford F-350 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-350 SD brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes 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.