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-550 SD owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
We purchased our f550 from fact. On 2/7/99, in dec 1999 the 4 speed auto transmission went out with 9470 miles on the vehicle. Three weeks before replacing with a remanufactured transmission, we were told that the remanufactured are better as they are completly gone through; apparently the new ones are not. Also had to repair a major oil leak by replacing several hoses, o rings and the right cylinder head high pressure oil line and fitting. May 4 of 2000 repair to the switches in the door latch along with misc inside elec repairs. July 24, 2001 engine overheating, dealer replaced gaskets, thermostats and other related items, service document indicated recall work done but no explaination as to what. September 2, 2003 truck fire, burns an employee attempting to extinguish. …
As the consumer attempted to stop the vehicle, the pedal went to the floor and stayed. The master cylinder and slave cylinder had excess were on the pressure plate fingers. The transmission was hard to shift into reverse and low gear. The hard clutch made noise. The clutch company was well aware of Ford's problem and had re-engineered and designed a new package to remedy the problem. There was fuel leaking at the fuel filter, the sway bar was broken, the door ajar light stayed on, engine oil leak, and the gas cap was broken.
Heard a clunking noise, and had vehicle serviced for universal joints. Two weeks later, while driving on highway went to apply brakes and all of a sudden there was smoke everywhere, tires caught on fire, and brakes failed. Inside brakes spun around to caliper and froze.
While driving vehicle on highway all of a sudden clutch went out. Consumer has taken vehicle into dealer almost every 20ooo miles. Contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything. The vehicle had electrical problems. The cruise control goes off while driving for no reason. The bolts sheered off from the drive shaft. The air bag deployed while driving at 65 MPH, injuring the consumers son, also consumer states emergency brake was on recall, however did not specify if repairs had been done.
Slave cylinder needing to be replaced 4 times due to rod length not being long enough for clutch pedal travel on 1999 f550 truck with six speed transmission. Also flywheel springs breaking in flywheel causing undue wear on clutch disk and not being covered under warrenty. I have two trucks where I have these reaccuring problems and have paid each time to repair at an authorized Ford dealership
The defective shift fork in the transfer case is coated in plastic wear, and causes the fork and conponents to move freely causing the vehicle to stall / shut off when parking. Vehicle rolled away which could have resulted in a crash. Dealer replaced tranfer case twice. Please provide further information.
Stabilizer bar has broken 8 times . Ford has mentioned there was an engineering problem, but was not offering to do anything for consumer. They were just replacing part. They had not tried to find a permenant solution. The drive shaft makes noise while driving.
While driving down the road at aproximately 25mph 4-wheel drive ( transfer case) failed. Driver pulled over to the shoulder while leaning over the steering wheel and airbag deployed. Had a new transmission clutch put within the last 3 months.
Gears would get stuck. Consumer could not downshift, but could shift up. When on interstate and trying to stop, it would not stop unless consumer switched off vehicle. To start, consumer had to crank it while in gear.
While driving clutch broke, causing the vehicle to remain in gear at 65 MPH. Please give any further details. Consumer states pressure plate in clutch shattered three times within 46,000 miles.
Transmission complaints in other F-550 SD years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1999 Ford F-550 SD?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1999 Ford F-550 SD, 38% of the model year's 61 complaints. The component named most often is clutch assembly (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford F-550 SD transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 1999 Ford F-550 SD, though it has 8 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-550 SD transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 9,000 miles, and 67% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 2 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.