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 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford f-350. While the contact's father was driving 55 MPH, he swerved to avoid striking another vehicle. When the brake pedal was depressed, the driver's side tires did not stop and the steering seized. As a result, the driver struck a tree and the vehicle rolled into a ditch. A police report was filed. The air bags did not deploy. The contact's father sustained blunt force trauma to the torso and was fatally injured upon impact. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The VIN was not available.
Front left tire hub broke off causing the truck to hit a bridge, driver says the truck dropped down and then hit the bridge, the tire fell off before impact with the bridge, this accident totalled our truck and did significant damage to the bridge. Have compalined to Ford, they will not replace truck, says it was our fault, but we know the tire fell off, the investigator told us the nut on the inside backed off, causing the front left tire and hub to break off, and it was in noway our fault, is a defect in the truck..
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford f-350. The contact stated that the parking gear and the emergency brake failed. The contact was told by the dealer that the parking brake cable would need replacing and that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 02V068000 (parking brake:conventional:mechanical:linkage and cable). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was 180,000.
Dt: contact stated when stepping on the brakes the car jumped all over the road and it will not stop. It bounced around uncontrollably. Contact noticed this problem with less than 3,000 miles on it in 1999. The dealer told contact that it was the brakes on and he had brakes on the changed. But, problem recurred as long as brakes were on. When contact had the ABS brakes disconnected problem disappeared.
While making a sharp right turn and applying the brakes vehicle would not steer and kept going. Driver hit a little embankment and ended up in a hay field. Air bags did not deploy when this happened, and no one was injured. Vehicle was towed to the dealership for repairs. Also, whole steering gear box was being replaced because the shaft broke.
Consumer was traveling about 30pmh on highway. As he was approaching the light, went to apply brake the pedal, and pedal went all the way down to floor. There were no brakes, and consumer ran into another vehicle. There were no injuries. Vehicle has been to the dealership, and mechanic told consumer that the brake line needed to be replaced.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford f-350. The contact stated that when the parking brake was engaged, the vehicle continued to roll. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the parking brake was replaced several times but the defect was not remedied. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 35,000.
While driving and pulling a trailer in wet weather conditions ,and trying to apply the brakes, truck started to slide one way and the trailer went the other, causing the trailer to smash into the back of the vehicle.
Steering froze while making a left turn. Could not straighten steering wheel. This caused consumer to hit another auto's door head on. Also the brakes did not work, lost complete braking power.
Brakes: brakes fade easily and will pull to the left. Brakes also shake and shudder the whole vehicle and surge grabbing and ungrabbing when coming to a stop. The steering wheel vibrates and brake pedal pulsates. Brakes began problem with very few miles never loaded or pulling. Results in unsafe braking. Seat belt: drivers seatbelt hangs down and gets caught in bottom of door. You shut your door, fasten the belt not knowing it is stuck in door. In sudden stops, the belt pulls free with much slack remaining possibly allowing your body to go through windshield. Belt twists very easily, and bottom pivot/anchor turns easily allowing belt to hang down in door. Must fiddle with it each time exiting the vehicle and must double check it is not stuck in door. …
Related recalls
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.
Parking brake
Vehicle description: super duty single rear wheel pickup trucks. The parking brake system, when engaged with a force of 125 pounds applied to the park brake foot control, May not hold the vehicles on a 20 degree grade. This does not comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 105, "hydraulic brake systems."
Remedy: Dealers will burnish the parking brake using a specified procedure.
NHTSA investigations
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…
Brake complaints in other F-350 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1999 Ford F-350?
NHTSA has 78 complaints about the brakes of the 1999 Ford F-350, 19% of the model year's 413 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (30 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford F-350 brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-068 (linkage and cable, Mar 11, 2002); NHTSA recall 98V-101 (parking brake, May 15, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Ford F-350 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 120,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 11 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries and 1 death 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.