VehicleVerdict

1999 Ford F-Super Duty problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 115 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.4 times the median F-Super Duty year — the 1999 model ranks #1 of 20 F-Super Duty years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 6 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 30 reports (26% of the total).

115

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

5

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

6

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other F-Super Duty years?

F-Super Duty NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted115 complaints1981: 1 complaints1987: 1 complaints1989: 2 complaints1990: 1 complaints1991: 1 complaints1992: 10 complaints1993: 4 complaints1994: 27 complaints1995: 13 complaints1996: 12 complaints1997: 28 complaints1998: 20 complaints1999: 115 complaints2000: 78 complaints2001: 38 complaints2002: 50 complaints2003: 33 complaints2004: 23 complaints2005: 49 complaints2008: 46 complaints
F-Super Duty NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F-Super Duty years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Ford F-Super Duty problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes3026%
Tires & Wheels1816%
Transmission1715%
Engine1311%
Fuel System76%
Electrical System76%
Lighting65%
Speed Control54%
Steering33%
Suspension22%
Body & Structure22%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Seat Belts11%
Other11%
Airbags11%

Does the 1999 Ford F-Super Duty have recalls?

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

99V265000Speed ControlSeptember 20, 1999 · 10,537 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SUPER DUTY TRUCKS AND CHASSIS-CABS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L MANUAL TRANSMISSION POWERTRAINS. THE ACCELERATOR CABLE CORE WIRE CAN WEAR THE CABLE CONDUIT END FITTING DUE TO A FIFTEEN DEGREE ANGLE IT MAKES WITH THE CONDUIT AT THE THROTTLE BODY END. THIS COULD ALSO LEAD TO WEAR OR SEPARATION OF STRANDS OF THE CORE WIRE, WHICH COULD PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.

Consequence

A "STUCK" THROTTLE COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE AND THROTTLE BODY.

98V304000Speed ControlDecember 2, 1998 · 19,187 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOME CHASSIS. THE ACCELERATOR CABLE IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO FREEZING. WATER CAN ACCUMULATE IN THE END FITTING AND CAN FREEZE AT TEMPERATURES OF 32 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND BELOW. THE ICE COULD PREVENT THE ACCELERATOR FROM RETURNING TO IDLE.

Consequence

INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE WOULD BE REQUIRED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WITH A REVISED ACCELERATOR CABLE.

98V070000Speed ControlApril 1, 1998 · 3,500 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOME CHASSIS. THE ACCELERATOR CABLE IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO FREEZING. WATER CAN ACCUMULATE IN THE END FITTING AND AT TEMPERATURES OF 32 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND BELOW, CAN FREEZE. THE ICE COULD PREVENT THE ACCELERATOR FROM RETURN TO IDLE.

Consequence

INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE WOULD BE REQUIRED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WITH A REVISED ACCELERATOR CABLE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE ABS IN THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN ACTIVATING DURING NORMAL BRAKING AT STOP SIGHNS WHEN THERE IS A BUMP OR SLIPPERY SURFACE AND TAKES TO LONG TO RE-ENGAGE THE BRAKES ONCE THEY HAVE BEEN RELEASED, RESULTING IN NOT STOPING UNTIL YOU HAVE PASSED THROUGH THE SIGN. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 9, 2001 · crash

“I HAVE HAD TWO BASICALLY IDENTICAL VEHICLES IN 18 MONTHS. I WAS INVOLVED IN A WRECK AND DID NOT WANT THE WRECKED $40,000 VEHICLE AFTER THE DAMAGE DONE DUE TO THE BLOW OUT A FIRESTONED TIRE CREATED. I NOW HAVE A 2000 MODEL WITH THE SAME TIRES AND THEY TOO ARE SHOWING ODD WEAR PATTERNS AND SIGNS. *AK…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · November 19, 1999 · crash

“THE CLUTCH THROWOUT BEARING WAS MADE IN PLASTIC WHICH CAUSE THE CLUTCH TO GO OUT FAST AND DAMAGE THE CLUTCH FINGER,IT MAY CAUSE A FATAL IF IT HAPPEN IN TRAFFIC,MORE EVER IT GETS EXPENSIVE ESP. WHEN YOU HAVE TO DO IT TWICE IN A YEAR BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT IS LIFE. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 27, 2010 · crash · fire

“AT ABOUT 55,000 MILE THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RANDOMLY STOP. IT WOULD START RIGHT BACK UP. THIS USUALLY HAPPENED WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. AFTER A WHILE IT BEGAN TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN AND NOT RESTART RIGHT AWAY. AFTER HAVING THE TRUCK LOOKED AT, I REPLACED THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (CPS). I AM…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 1, 2005

“FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY PICK UP TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE WHILE SITTING IN THE GARAGE. INSURANCE VEHICLE ARSON INVESTIGATOR DETERMINED CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH COMPONENT WAS SOURCE OF IGNITION IN FIRE. HALF MY HOUSE BURNED DOWN AS A RESULT OF FIRE. *KB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 1, 2011 · fire

1999 Ford F-Super Duty — common questions

Is the 1999 Ford F-Super Duty reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 115 complaints put the 1999 model at #1 of 20 F-Super Duty years. It is one of the F-Super Duty years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 F-Super Duty problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (30 complaints), tires & wheels (18 complaints), transmission (17 complaints).

Does the 1999 Ford F-Super Duty have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Ford F-Super Duty. 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-Super Duty under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Ford F-Super Duty years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-Super Duty years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2001, 2003. The cleanest record among F-Super Duty years belongs to 1991.

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.