1999 Ford F-250 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
448 owner complaints analyzed
14 distinct recall campaigns
99,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 109 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 52 of 448 complaints (11.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 88 | 19.6% |
| Steering behavior | 41 | 9.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 27 | 6.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 19 | 4.2% |
| Engine operation | 18 | 4.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 1.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Tires | 52 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 33 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 32 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 23 |
| Tires:Sidewall | 20 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 18 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 18 |
| Engine | 16 |
Tires: 52; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 33; Tires:Tread/Belt: 32; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 23; Tires:Sidewall: 20; Air Bags:Frontal: 18; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 18; Engine: 16
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 20 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 18 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 25 |
| 150,000 and above | 29 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 20; 75,000 to 99,999: 18; 100,000 to 149,999: 25; 150,000 and above: 29
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (29). 339 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 134 |
| 2001 | 95 |
| 2002 | 62 |
| 2003 | 38 |
| 2004 | 25 |
| 2005 | 17 |
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2000: 134; 2001: 95; 2002: 62; 2003: 38; 2004: 25; 2005: 17; 2006: 9; 2007: 4; 2008: 6; 2009: 4; 2010: 1; 2011: 8; 2012: 5; 2013: 5; 2014: 4; 2015: 7; 2016: 8; 2017: 3; 2018: 1; 2019: 6; 2020: 1; 2021: 2; 2022: 2; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Tires leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 88 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 41 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 27 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10006129 · 2003-01-31 (January 31, 2003)
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AT 35MPH THERE WAS HEAVY VIBRATION , LIKE FALLING APART. DEALER CHANGED ON SEVERAL OCCASION ROTORS AND PADS UNTIL GUARANTEE WAS OVER. RECENTLY MIDAS PERFORMED A JOB ON THE ROTORS AND PADS.HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006129 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006789 · 2003-02-07 (February 7, 2003)
UNABLE TO STEERING THE VEHICLE WHILE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WOULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006789 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002534 · 2003-01-10 (January 10, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THIS FAILURE WAS AS A RESULT OF THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKING UP. PLEASE FURNISH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002534 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062634 · 2004-03-19 (March 19, 2004)
TRANSMISSION VIBRATES AND CUTS OUT WHEN ENGAGING SPEED , AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RECALLS ON MY VECHIEL IT IS A 99 F250 4DR V8. SO COULD YOU PLEASE SEND ME SOMETHING TO HAVE MY VEHICLE REPAIRED AND ALSO MY AIR BAG SENSOR IS BAD , THE ENGINE LIGHT SENSOR IS ALSO ON. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10062634 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10099104 · 2004-11-17 (November 17, 2004)
THE SECOND GEAR HAS GONE OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. *JB *SC THE LIGHTS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR WERE INOPERATIVE. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 73,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10099104 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10280224 · 2009-08-12 (August 12, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD F250. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THEN SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT SMOKE WOULD APPEAR FROM THE GAS TANK WHEN FUEL WAS PLACED IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 187,821. UPDATED 9/1/09 *CN
Owner-reported narrative. 187,821 miles reported. Look up ODI 10280224 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10400623 · 2011-05-12 (May 12, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE FUEL TANK STRAPS FRACTURED. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE STRAPS WERE RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED BY A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 240,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 240,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10400623 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10053802 · 2004-01-12 (January 12, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH SPARK PLUG DISCONNECTED FROM THE ENGINE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10053802 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10293905 · 2009-11-29 (November 29, 2009)
FORD 250 LIGHT DUTY TRUCK BLEW #4 PLUG OUT OF HEAD WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. TRUCK ODOMETER REGISTERED 88,000 MILES AND AFFECTED SPARK PLUG WAS THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TENVOORDE FORD, SAINT CLOUD MN TO EFFECT REPAIR. REPAIRS INVOLVED AN INSERT KIT FOR THE #4 CYLINDER AND TOTALED $950.00. VEHICLE WAS OPERATING IN TRAFFIC AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, THE BLOWN PLUG CREATED A NOTEWORTHY DISTRACTION AND SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER REQUIRING THE VEHICLE TO BE MANEUVERED OUT OF THE TRAFFIC STREAM. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN WEL…
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10293905 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10079369 · 2004-07-27 (July 27, 2004)
THE FRONT WINDSHIELD LEAKED WHICH ALLOWED WATER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE WATER LEAKED ONTO THE FUSE BOX WHICH CAUSED AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS ON INA FLEET OF VEHICLES. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10079369 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10207129 · 2007-10-19 (October 19, 2007)
1999 FORD F-250 WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CONSUMER HAD THIS PROBLEM REPAIRED. SHE WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A TSB THAT SHE NEVER KNEW ABOUT. FORD IS REFUSING TO REIMBURSE HER FOR THE REPAIRS. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS FULLY AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, BUT FAILED TO NOTIFY THEIR CUSTOMERS. THE PROBLEM WAS THE FLUID WOULD OVERHEAT DURING SEVERE DUTY AND WEAR OUT THE TORQUE CONVERTER, WHICH RESULTED IN THE RADIATOR, COOLER LINES AND HOSES FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO BE REPLACED. THE STABILIZER BAR LINK AND BATTERY…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10207129 at NHTSA ↗