1999 Ford F-550 SD problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
52 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
65,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 23 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Clutch Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 52 complaints (19.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 11.5% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 7.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 5.8% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 5.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 3.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 10 |
| Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs | 10 |
| Tires | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
| Suspension:Front:Stabilizer Bar | 3 |
| Tires:Valve | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 |
| Fuel System, Diesel:Storage:Tank Assembly | 2 |
Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 10; Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs: 10; Tires: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Suspension:Front:Stabilizer Bar: 3; Tires:Valve: 3; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 2; Fuel System, Diesel:Storage:Tank Assembly: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 3
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 29 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 | 9 |
| 2001 | 10 |
| 2002 | 8 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 11 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2000: 9; 2001: 10; 2002: 8; 2003: 5; 2004: 11; 2005: 1; 2006: 5; 2010: 1; 2012: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Clutch Assembly leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 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 10000741 · 2003-01-05 (January 5, 2003)
SLAVE CYLINDER NEEDING TO BE REPLACED 4 TIMES DUE TO ROD LENGTH NOT BEING LONG ENOUGH FOR CLUTCH PEDAL TRAVEL ON 1999 F550 TRUCK WITH SIX SPEED TRANSMISSION. ALSO FLYWHEEL SPRINGS BREAKING IN FLYWHEEL CAUSING UNDUE WEAR ON CLUTCH DISK AND NOT BEING COVERED UNDER WARRENTY. I HAVE TWO TRUCKS WHERE I HAVE THESE REACCURING PROBLEMS AND HAVE PAID EACH TIME TO REPAIR AT AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALERSHIP
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000741 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037570 · 2003-09-09 (September 9, 2003)
WE PURCHASED OUR F550 FROM FACT. ON 2/7/99, IN DEC 1999 THE 4 SPEED AUTO TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITH 9470 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THREE WEEKS BEFORE REPLACING WITH A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE REMANUFACTURED ARE BETTER AS THEY ARE COMPLETLY GONE THROUGH; APPARENTLY THE NEW ONES ARE NOT. ALSO HAD TO REPAIR A MAJOR OIL LEAK BY REPLACING SEVERAL HOSES, O RINGS AND THE RIGHT CYLINDER HEAD HIGH PRESSURE OIL LINE AND FITTING. MAY 4 OF 2000 REPAIR TO THE SWITCHES IN THE DOOR LATCH ALONG WITH MISC INSIDE ELEC REPAIRS. JULY 24, …
Owner-reported narrative. 9,470 miles reported. Look up ODI 10037570 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002090 · 2003-01-06 (January 6, 2003)
THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AT 30 MPH, IN WHICH THE CONSUMER HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. PH THE POWER STEERING HOSE HAD POPPED OUT CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES. SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 190,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002090 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 864579 · 2000-06-30 (June 30, 2000)
HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE, AND HAD VEHICLE SERVICED FOR UNIVERSAL JOINTS. TWO WEEKS LATER, WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WENT TO APPLY BRAKES AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS SMOKE EVERYWHERE, TIRES CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND BRAKES FAILED. INSIDE BRAKES SPUN AROUND TO CALIPER AND FROZE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 864579 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10368975 · 2010-12-06 (December 6, 2010)
1999 FORD V10, WINNEBAGO CHIEFTAIN 34Y. CONSUMER HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS TRYING TO GET RECALL REPAIR WORK DONE ON THE VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE RV TO THE DEALER. THEY ADVISED THE CONSUMER OVER A RECALL REGARDING THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE DEALER DISABLED THE CRUISE CONTROL WITHOUT THE CONSUMERS CONSENT AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO FIX THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED HE BECAME AWARE OF PARTS BEING AVAILABLE AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND WENT THERE, WHERE THEY INS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10368975 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10153362 · 2006-03-21 (March 21, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5MPH IN A PARKING LOT THE STEERING WHEEL SPUN FREELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS THE STEERING BOX SHAFT HAD BROKEN CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. THE STEERING SECTOR SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 04/06/06
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10153362 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10156713 · 2006-05-03 (May 3, 2006)
WE HAVE 4 F550 BUSES THAT HAVE HAD THE GAS TANK REPLACED TWICE ON EACH BUS DO WHAT WE BELIEVE IS COATING FAILURE. WE NOW HAVE AN F450 THAT IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME CONDITIONS, WE ARE FORCED TO REPLACE THE GAS TANK ON THIS VEHICLE AS WELL. WE TAKE OUR VEHICLES TO FORD MIRAMAR TRUCK CENTER, AND HAVE HAD A FORD FACTOR REPRESENTATIVE LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM ONLY TO TELL US ITS NOT A TANK FAILURE ISSUE. AFTER WHAT WILL NOW BE 9 REPLACED GAS TANKS, I TRULY BELIEVE THERE IS AN ISSUE HERE THAT MUST BE SERIOUSLY LOOKED INTO. ON A SIDE NOTE, AFTER THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10156713 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11064394 · 2018-01-23 (January 23, 2018)
FUEL TANK IS RUSTING. I UNDERSTAND FORD HAD A RECALL FOR THIS, BUT MY VIN DOES NOT SHOW ONE. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 48,000 MILES AND I AM HAVING TO REPLACE MY FUEL FILTER EVERY 1000 MILES!
Owner-reported narrative. 47,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11064394 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 557701 · 2000-11-16 (November 16, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING THE "HOT PIPE" TO THE TURBO-CHARGER BLEW OFF OF ITS COUPLING CAUSING LOSS OF POWER, THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND INSTALLED A NEW DESIGNED PIPE THAT WAS REDESIGNED DUE TO THE COMMON FAILURE, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO THE FAULTY PART. *MJS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 557701 at NHTSA ↗