Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 vehicle was at the dealer for routine maintenance, the mechanic indicated that the rear axle was faulty and would need to be replaced. Although the vehicle had not experienced any failures, the rear axle was replaced. The contact indicated that approximately 30,000 miles, later the mechanic indicated that the rear axle was faulty again and the axle was replaced a second time. After having the axle replaced, the contact was unable to shift to the sixth gear while driving approximately 65 MPH. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 363,000. Updated 7/14/15 updated 10/16/2017
Takata recall. I was driving down the road and my truck shut off randomly my overdrive light started flashing after this and continued to flash and still shuts off so I replaced my fuel filter, cps sensor and it still shuts off. It's like I'm goin down the road and it stalls. It does it more than once when I'm driving I just shut it off and start it again.
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. …
Consumer has difficulty getting the transmission into gear and when shifting, when the transmission does shift gears, there is a grinding noise, the free play in the clutch is always different, sometimes the clutch would engage when the clutch pedal was near the top , other times the clutch would engage when the clutch pedal was pushed all the way. The consumer was informed that there was a 6 inch piece of rubber hydraulic hose in the hydraulic line of the clutch assembly, so when the vehicle was warmed up, it expanded instead of staying ridged. Ford is aware of the problem and updated the clutch assembly, however, the consumer was told that problem is considered a wear item.
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. …
We have had 3 1999 superduty's 6-speed duallys when we bought them. All started having the same problem at about 3,000 miles. Every time that you would be going down the road and you turned, the rear would make a bumping and grinding noise. You can hear it on the outside real bad. We took them to the dealership because they all started leaking rear end oil. They put the part on them, but the problem persisted. The leak had stopped on all of them, but the grinding noise still remained. We had to let one of them go back because it was so bad. The others are still doing horrible. Plus, when you put them into gear, mainly in reverse, you hear this god awful popping noise coming from the front when you start going. They all make that grinding noise in the rear end even when backing up and turning. Please help me. …
We have experienced repeated transmission problems including 2 total breakdowns, the last one on 09-07-2000 endangered everyone in the vehicle. May 9, eratic shifting, speed control sensor had to be replaced, May 10 - May 22, shifting problems continued, control module replaced. May 23, total transmission failure, transmission was rebuilt onjune 8.. June 29, shifting problems started again. July 18, Ford dealer checked, reprogramed transmission and told me no problems found. July 31, Ford dealer load tested truck, replaced module and reprogramed again, everything OK. September 7, towing trailer down 7% - 7 mile lewiston grade transmission failed, lost engine compression braking and had to rely only on brakes to slow truck. Had no transmission in any gear when we reached bottom. New transmission now being installed. This is a safety problem which placed everyone in the truck in danger.
The plastic retainer located where the clutch pedal engages the rod for the clutch master cylinder wears out allowing the rod to disengage the pedal assembly without any notice of inpending failure. This happened to me in a crowded parking lot at the canton trade days. Luckily I was in 1st gear and was able to idle to a parking space without hitting anyone or anything. Once the pedals comes loose and the engine is stopped it cannot be restared without the pedal assemble being in place. This problem can be avoided by returning back to the old style ball and socket set up used on older vehicles and doing away with the plactic pieces in the setup. Had I been behind someone or been in a downtown driving situation where a pedestrian been in front of me such as a stop light when it decided to come loose the outcome May have been extremely serious.
Defective transmission in 1999 f350 series trucks. The consumer replaced the first transmission while the vehicle was still under warranty, at the time, Ford installed a re-manufactured transmission per company policy. For that transmission the consumer purchased an extended warranty. Almost one year later a second transmission was placed in the vehicle. Another Ford dealer in iowa stated that the re-manufactured transmission was defective from the start and that a part of it was egging when it should have been round. The power steering pump had to be replaced within the first 2K miles. The consumer requested that Ford should cover the cost spent on the repair(s).
Clutch hydraulic release system failed catastrophically, causing vehicle to jump forward immediately and violently. Fortunately the car in front of me was far enough away so that I didn't hit it, before getting vehicle stopped. On investigation, I found that the roll pin which holds the clutch line into the slave cylinder had backed out, and allowed the high pressure line to disconnect. When this happened, the clutch engaged violently, and the vehicle lurched forward on engine power. This could have caused a major accident, if any of the circumstances had been different.
Transmission complaints in other F-350 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1999 Ford F-350?
NHTSA has 64 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1999 Ford F-350, 15% of the model year's 413 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford F-350 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 1999 Ford F-350, though it has 12 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.