VehicleVerdict

1999 Ford F-350 Sd problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 169 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.5 times the median F-350 Sd year — the 1999 model ranks #5 of 34 F-350 Sd years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 16 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across tires & wheels (41), engine (33), and brakes (21), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

169

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

5

Investigations

22

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

16

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other F-350 Sd years?

F-350 Sd NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted269 complaints1993: 0 complaints1994: 0 complaints1995: 5 complaints1996: 0 complaints1997: 3 complaints1998: 4 complaints1999: 169 complaints2000: 188 complaints2001: 188 complaints2002: 145 complaints2003: 164 complaints2004: 159 complaints2005: 269 complaints2006: 192 complaints2007: 35 complaints2008: 146 complaints2009: 25 complaints2010: 79 complaints2011: 63 complaints2012: 50 complaints2013: 12 complaints2014: 12 complaints2015: 26 complaints2016: 26 complaints2017: 118 complaints2018: 6 complaints2019: 13 complaints2020: 1 complaints2021: 6 complaints2022: 158 complaints2023: 54 complaints2024: 61 complaints2025: 20 complaints2026: 12 complaints
F-350 Sd NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F-350 Sd years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Ford F-350 Sd problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels4124%
Engine3320%
Brakes2112%
Transmission169%
Steering117%
Electrical System106%
Suspension106%
Airbags53%
Body & Structure53%
Speed Control42%
Other42%
Fuel System42%
Lighting21%
Latches & Locks11%
Trailer Hitch11%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 1999 Ford F-350 Sd have recalls?

3 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.

07E106000Tires & WheelsDecember 17, 2007 · 130,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.

Consequence

WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.

07V553000EngineDecember 5, 2007 · 1,176,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 7.3L DIESEL ENGINES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR LOCATED ON THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE MAY FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF AN ENGINE STALL, A CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SENSOR AND REPLACE IT WITH AN IMPROVED CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TREAD SEPARATION ON LEFT FRONT TIRE, RUINED WHEEL. AFTER INSTALLING SPARE TIRE AND DRIVING 12 MORE MILES. TREAD SEPARATION ON RIGHT FRONT TIRE. BOTH TIMES TIRES BLEW OUT, CAUSING DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · May 19, 2008 · crash

“3 CAR PILE UP. OUR TRUCK WAS THE 3RD VEHICLE. IMPACT SPEED 35 TO 45 MPH. WE HAVE A 1 TON TRUCK THAT HAD THE FRAME BENT AND MOTOR MOUNT THAT BROKE. REPAIR DAMAGE EST. TO BE $9,000. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 8, 2003 · crash

“TRUCK WAS PARKED IN GARAGE, FACING OUT OF GARAGE. TRUCK HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR 4 DAYS. TRUCK HAD HANDBREAK SET WHEN PARKED. I STARTED TRUCK UP DUE TO THE NUMBER OF DAYS IT HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN TO CHARGE BATTERY. VERFYED THAT HANDBRAKE WAS SET ( RED BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON) AND PLACE TRUCK IN NEUTERAL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 16, 2003 · crash

“I PURCHASED A 1999 F-350 SUPER DUTY DUALLY. FROM RECORDS FROM THE PERVIOUS OWNERS PROBLEMS AND THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THIS TRUCK, I CAN NOT BELIVE SERVICE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD. A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO THE PARKING BRAKE BLEW WHEN I WAS ON ALMOST LEVEL GROUND AND NEED LEAST TO SAY THE TRUCK…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 15, 2002 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE POWER OF STEERING FAILED AND AS A RESULT THE STEERING SHAFT BROKE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT DUE TO THE FAILURE HE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL AND CRASHED INTO SNOW BANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 17, 2012 · crash

1999 Ford F-350 Sd — common questions

Is the 1999 Ford F-350 Sd reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 169 complaints put the 1999 model at #5 of 34 F-350 Sd years. It is one of the F-350 Sd years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 F-350 Sd problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (41 complaints), engine (33 complaints), brakes (21 complaints).

Does the 1999 Ford F-350 Sd have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Ford F-350 Sd. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 Ford F-350 Sd under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Ford F-350 Sd years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-350 Sd years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2001, 2000, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2022, 2008, 2002, 2017, 2010, 2011, 2024, 2023, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2018, 2020. The cleanest record among F-350 Sd years belongs to 1996.

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.