VehicleVerdict

1999 Ford E-350 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 77 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.9 times the median E-350 year — the 1999 model ranks #4 of 53 E-350 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 23 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Tires & Wheels leads the complaint categories with 26 reports (34% of the total).

77

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

5

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

23

Injuries

2

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other E-350 years?

See all E-350 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Ford E-350 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels2634%
Engine1418%
Fuel System912%
Steering68%
Electrical System56%
Brakes56%
Suspension34%
Airbags34%
Speed Control23%
Body & Structure23%
Seat Belts11%
Visibility & Wipers11%

Does the 1999 Ford E-350 have recalls?

9 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09V399000Speed ControlOctober 13, 2009 · 4,500,000 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

08V051000Speed ControlFebruary 4, 2008 · 225,000 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.

Consequence

AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

07V336000Speed ControlAugust 3, 2007 · 3,600,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

04V562000OtherNovember 26, 2004 · 1,660 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT RETRACTORS AS NECESSARY. SURE-LOK WILL HANDLE THE REPAIRS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SURE-LOCK AT 1-908-231-1804 OR MOBILITYWORKS AT 1-800-769-8267.

01V114000Fuel SystemApril 5, 2001 · 151,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN VANS WITH AMBULANCE PREP PACKAGES OR OTHER SEVERE-DUTY APPLICATIONS INVOLVING OPERATION AT OR NEAR THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT WITH FREQUENT TWISTING OF THE VEHICLE BODY, SUCH AS OFF-ROAD, ROUGH ROAD OR SPEED BUMP EVENTS, THE 35 GALLON MID-SHIP FUEL TANK COULD DEVELOP A CRACK WHERE IT CONTACTS THE FRAME CROSS MEMBER. IF THE FUEL TANK CRACKS, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK AND, IF CRACKED, WILL REPLACE THE TANK. INSULATOR PADS WILL BE INSTALLED ON ALL VEHICLES TO REDUCE THE STRESS LEVELS IN THE FUEL TANK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 19, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

00V284000OtherSeptember 21, 2000 · 4,500 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BI-FUEL CNG PICKUP TRUCKS AND BI-FUEL CNG VANS, MODIFIED BY CFI CONTROL SYSTEMS, INC., FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 303, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY OF COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS VEHICLES." THE LABEL AFFIXED TO THE FUEL FILLER DOOR BY THE VEHICLE MODIFIER CONTAINS THE INSPECTION DATE AND EXPIRATION DATE OF THE CNG TANK. HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT CONTAIN THE STATEMENT "SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE FUEL CONTAINER FOR INSPECTION AND SERVICE LIFE."

Consequence

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED A LABEL WITH THE REQUIRED STATEMENT, ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR AFFIXING THE LABEL AT THE FUEL FILLER DOOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 2, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

00V115000Tires & WheelsApril 19, 2000 · 3,300 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CUTAWAYS AND STRIPPED CHASSIS WITH SINGLE REAR WHEELS. THE LUG NUTS CAN POTENTIALLY BOTTOM OUT ON A SHOULDER ON THE STUDS.

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURS, THERE CAN BE AN INADEQUATE CLAMP LOAD TO ATTACH THE WHEEL TO THE AXLE, RESULTING IN NOISE, DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL AND HUB, OR IN EXTREME CASES, LOSS OF A REAR WHEEL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL ATTACHING STUDS.

99V046000Latches & LocksMarch 15, 1999 · 2,893 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: UTILITY VANS EQUIPPED WITH THE "60/40" HINGED SIDE CARGO DOORS. THE STRIKERS FOR THE 60/40 DOOR SINGLE LATCH SYSTEM WERE FOUND TO CONTAIN STRESS CRACKS AT THE STRIKER WIRE LOWER STAKE JOINT. STRIKERS WITH STRESS CRACKS MAY NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 206, "DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS."

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DOOR STRIKERS MAY NOT HOLD THE DOOR, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOOR STRIKER.

98V257000TransmissionOctober 14, 1998 · 350 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS BUILT WITH SINGLE REAR WHEELS AND EQUIPPED WITH 3.55:1 AND 3.73:1 AXLE RATIO. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH INCORRECT SPEEDOMETER DRIVEN GEARS, RESULTING IN A LOWER SPEEDOMETER READING THAN THE ACTUAL VEHICLE SPEED BEING DRIVEN.

Consequence

THIS CAN RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN AT AN UNSAFE OR ILLEGAL SPEED SHOULD THE DRIVER NOT REALIZE THAT HIS VEHICLE ROAD SPEED IS GREATER THAN THE SPEEDOMETER INDICATION.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CORRECT SPEEDOMETER GEAR.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

CONSUMER TREAD ON LEFT REAR TIRE SEPARATED. *TS THE VEHICLE WAS TOWING A TRAVEL TRAILER AT THE TIME OF THE TREAD SEPARATION. THE TRAILER/VAN FISHTAILED VIOLENTLY AND WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. THE TRAILER ENDED UP ROLLING OVER AND CAUSED THE VAN TO ALSO ROLL ONTO IT'S SIDE. THIS WAS THE SECOND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 11, 2005 · crash

1999 FORD E350. CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING HE NOTICED SMOKE IN THE CAB AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO DIE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED WITH FLAMES. *MC THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)*JB

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 20, 2007 · fire

THE VEHICLE STALLS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS DUE TO LACK OF FUEL. INVESTIGATION PROVED THAT THE INTERIOR PAINT OF THE GAS TANK PEALS BLOCKING THE FUEL PUMP. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT DELAMINATION OF THE GAS TANK IS FREQUENT IN THIS MODEL CAUSING A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION AS THE VAN CAN STOP AT ANYTIME AS IT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 24, 2014

THE VEHICLE WAS GOING 20MPH DOWN A DIRT ROAD. THE VAN HIT A BUMP AND LOSS CONTROL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO RUN OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A TREE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED BY A COLLISION SHOP. CONSUMER SUSTAINED EYE INJURIES, PASSENGER RECEIVED INJURIES TO NECK AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · April 2, 2002 · crash

1999 FORD E350 CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED TO A TOTAL LOSS WHILE SITTING COLD IN MY DRIVEWAY. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED ON NOV 8, 2010. DEC 12, 2010 I DROVE ABOUT 3 MILES TO THE GROCERY AROUND 20:30; I RETURNED HOME AND PARKED THE VEHICLE IN MY DRIVEWAY ABOUT 20:45. ABOUT 22:15 A PASSING CAR OBSERVED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 12, 2010 · fire

1999 Ford E-350 — common questions

Is the 1999 Ford E-350 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 77 complaints put the 1999 model at #4 of 53 E-350 years. It is one of the E-350 years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 E-350 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (26 complaints), engine (14 complaints), fuel system (9 complaints).

Does the 1999 Ford E-350 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Ford E-350. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 Ford E-350 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford E-350 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the E-350 years to avoid are 1997, 1995, 2005, 1999, 2006, 1998, 2004, 2000, 2002, 1994, 1996, 2003, 2001, 2008, 1993, 1992, 1989, 2013, 2021. The cleanest record among E-350 years belongs to 2027.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.