Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford f-350. The contact stated that while traveling 40 MPH, the power steering failed and caused the contact to crash into a snow bank. The contact was uninjured. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop where the vehicle was inspected. The technician advised the contact that the failure was caused by crystallization of the steering shaft, which was fractured. The failure and the current mileage was 145,000. Updated 02/15/12 the consumer stated there was no road hazard to cause the steering shaft failure. Updated 02/17/12
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford f-350. The contact stated that while the owner was operating the vehicle, the power steering assist malfunctioned. The contact indicated that the power steering assist was available while turing the steering wheel to the left however, was not available while turning the steering wheel to the right. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 190,000.
This truck has the death wobble. It gets the death wobble at 20 mph. My next step is to sue Ford
The u-bolts failed, and the axel dropped down. We heard a "thud" , and felt a dropping sensation. The steering immediatley became inoperable, and the truck crashed into several bales of hay. The driver's side door was damaged. When I contacted parker Toyota, they claimed my extended warranty did not cover the axel. I then paid for the repairs out of pocket. Later the same day, I pulled a VIN history on the vehicle, and found that the odometer had been rolled back. When we purchased the truck, we were told that it was a trade in from a guy that bought it at parker Ford, and traded it in to parker Toyota. The true story (verifed by Ford motors), was that the truck came out of terrace, bc. It went to auction in May 2000, where the odometer was converted from km to us miles. They have records that it went in to the odometer shop with 68,000 km, and came out with 33,100 us miles. …
My name is dianne mccullar. Address is 5223 solar ridge dr. Colorado springs, co 80917. [phone] my 1979 Ford bronco VIN#u15hlej5445 was hit by the above mentioned truck on 05/23/99. The owner lost control of his vehicle when the steering shaft/steering gear box sheared apart. My truck was parked at the time. $5100 of damage was done to my truck. Tig insurance has determined that the collision was due to a Ford part that is under recall (#98s17). Due to them determining that this was caused by mechanical defect, tig insurance has denied my claim for damage to my truck and I am having to pursue Ford directly. Please contact me if you have any info that would help my case. Thank you.
Vehicle was involved in a accident that did damage to the right front wheel area. The right front wheel hit a cement culvert causing damage to the hub and axle housing. During or before (unknown) the accident the steering box output (pitman) shaft broke. We have several of these types of trucks and one other f350 that while driving in a storm the wheel hit a rut in the road and the pitman shaft broke causing the truck to go up an embankment and roll over.
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.
At 55 MPH truck became sluggish/hard to steer while rounding curve. Steering seemed to be unresponsive and resulted in head on collision which resulted in 1 death in the oncoming vehicle. My truck overturned upon impact, and was taken to trauma center with cuts/bruises and head wound.
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.
Related recalls
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.
Steering complaints in other F-350 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1999 Ford F-350?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the steering of the 1999 Ford F-350, 12% of the model year's 413 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist system (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford F-350 steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 98V-116 (gear box (other than rack and pinion), May 29, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Ford F-350 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 130,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries and 2 deaths to steering 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.