VehicleVerdict

1999 Ford F53 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 18 complaints on file for the 1999 Ford F53 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

18

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other F53 years?

F53 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted30 complaints1989: 0 complaints1990: 3 complaints1991: 2 complaints1992: 3 complaints1993: 0 complaints1994: 0 complaints1998: 1 complaints1999: 18 complaints2000: 3 complaints2001: 6 complaints2002: 0 complaints2003: 4 complaints2018: 7 complaints2019: 5 complaints2020: 30 complaints2021: 7 complaints
F53 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F53 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Ford F53 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine633%
Suspension422%
Fuel System211%
Transmission211%
Speed Control16%
Other16%
Brakes16%
Tires & Wheels16%

Does the 1999 Ford F53 have recalls?

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

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.

99V062001Speed ControlMarch 30, 1999 · 898,739 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1997-1999 RHD EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MAY 29, 1996 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEERS EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC OR 5.0L ENGINES OR 1998-1999 RANGERS EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L, 3.0L FFV/EFI OR 4.0L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM JANUARY 5, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 MUSTANGS EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L, 4.6L 2-VALVE OR 4-VALVE ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1999 F250/F350/F450/F550 (OVER 8,500 LBS.) TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; AND 1999 F-53 STRIPPED CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999. A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE CAN INTERFERE WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SERVO PULLEY AND NOT ALLOW THE THROTTLE TO RETURN TO IDLE WHEN DISENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL.

Consequence

IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS USED AND THIS CONDITION IS PRESENT, A STUCK THROTTLE COULD RESULT, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLES. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE REPLACEMENT CABLES ARE NOT AVAILABLE. CUSTOMERS ARE BEING ADVISED NOT TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM UNTIL A REPLACEMENT CAN BE MADE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WHEELS CANNOT BE BALANCED TO PREVENT VIBRATION OF VEHICLE. DIFFERENTIAL WAS DEFECTIVE FROM FORD AND WAS REPLACED AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS TO FIX SAME. CHASSIS IS STILL VIBRATING AND UNUSABLE AS ONE REPAIR ATTEMPT WRAPPED THE GENERATER GAS LINE AROUND THE GENERATOR EXHAUST PIPE ( THIS REPAIR ATTEMPT WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 9, 1999

“WHEELS CANNOT BE BALANCED TO PREVENT VIBRATION OF VEHICLE. DIFFERENTIAL WAS DEFECTIVE FROM FORD AND WAS REPLACED AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS TO FIX SAME. CHASSIS IS STILL VIBRATING AND UNUSABLE AS ONE REPAIR ATTEMPT WRAPPED THE GENERATER GAS LINE AROUND THE GENERATOR EXHAUST PIPE ( THIS REPAIR ATTEMPT WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · August 9, 1999

“AIR FILTER SUCKS IN WATER WHEN IT RAINS, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL. FORD HAS ISSUED A TSB ON THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER THERE IS NO SOLUTION. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 1, 1999

“WHEELS CANNOT BE BALANCED TO PREVENT VIBRATION OF VEHICLE. DIFFERENTIAL WAS DEFECTIVE FROM FORD AND WAS REPLACED AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS TO FIX SAME. CHASSIS IS STILL VIBRATING AND UNUSABLE AS ONE REPAIR ATTEMPT WRAPPED THE GENERATER GAS LINE AROUND THE GENERATOR EXHAUST PIPE ( THIS REPAIR ATTEMPT WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 9, 1999

“WHATS THE USE OF HAVING TSB'S WITH NO INFORMATION? JUST WANT TO MAKE A DIME MORE? THIS SITE IS USELESS. WHAT DO YOU THINK PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR WHEN THEY SEARCH TSB'S? ANSWERS! YOU HAVE NONE! QUIT WASTING PEOPLES TIME AND MONEY.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · December 19, 2003

1999 Ford F53 — common questions

Is the 1999 Ford F53 reliable?

The record is thin — 18 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1999 F53 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (6 complaints), suspension (4 complaints), fuel system (2 complaints).

Does the 1999 Ford F53 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Ford F53. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 Ford F53 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford F53 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F53 years to avoid are 2020. The cleanest record among F53 years belongs to 2002.

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.