1999 Ford F-250 SD: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
248 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
97,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 198 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 32 of 248 complaints (12.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 60 | 24.2% |
| Steering behavior | 28 | 11.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 16 | 6.5% |
| Engine operation | 16 | 6.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 3.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 3.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 32 |
| Electrical System | 24 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 24 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel | 23 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 16 |
| Tires | 10 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 8 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 32; Electrical System: 24; Engine And Engine Cooling: 24; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel: 23; Tires:Tread/Belt: 16; Tires: 10; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 17 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 33 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 39 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 52 |
| 150,000 and above | 46 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 17; 50,000 to 74,999: 33; 75,000 to 99,999: 39; 100,000 to 149,999: 52; 150,000 and above: 46
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (52). 50 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 | 6 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 10 |
| 2003 | 31 |
| 2004 | 25 |
| 2005 | 30 |
| 2006 | 27 |
| 2007 | 29 |
| 2008 | 22 |
| 2009 | 18 |
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2011 | 16 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 1 |
2000: 6; 2001: 4; 2002: 10; 2003: 31; 2004: 25; 2005: 30; 2006: 27; 2007: 29; 2008: 22; 2009: 18; 2010: 16; 2011: 16; 2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 6; 2015: 4; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 60 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 28 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 16 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10003364 · 2003-01-24 (January 24, 2003)
F-250 SUPER DUTY, 6 SPEED MANUAL TRAN. THE SHIFTING LEVER ATTACHED TO THE THROW OUT BEARING BROKE. THIS VEHICLE HAS 45,000 MILES. THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE PART, FORD IS UNRESPONSIVE TO MY COMPLAINT. NOT THEIR PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003364 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005478 · 2003-02-07 (February 7, 2003)
THROWOUT BEARING MAKING LOUD NOISE. WAS IN FOR SERVICE AND DEALER SUGGESTED A $1500 CLUTCH REPLACEMENT. TRUCK HAS 54,000 AND HAS BEEN MAKING NOISE FOR ABOUT 3,000 MILES. FORD SAYS THAT THE BEARING IS NOT LUBRICATABLE AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT. NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED.
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005478 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005853 · 2003-02-14 (February 14, 2003)
A RATTLING OR KNOCKING NOISE EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. NOISE IS EXTREMELY NOTICABLE WHEN THE ENGINE BEGINS TO LABOR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT COULD POSSIBLY BE CAUSED FROM A POORLY DESIGNED "Y" PIPE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005853 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007652 · 2003-02-17 (February 17, 2003)
TURBOCHARGER BOLT FAILURE FOR 1999 FORD POWERSTROKE DIESEL
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007652 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008312 · 2003-03-01 (March 1, 2003)
HORN CANNOT BE ACTIVATED QUICKLY OR REPEATEDLY BECAUSE ONLY A VERY SMALL SPOT IN THE AIRBAG/STEERING PAD IS LIVE. FINDING THE SMALL, UNMARKED SPOT IS IMPOSSIBLE UNDER EMERGENCY CONDITIONS AND DIFFICULT AT ANY TIME. DEALERS KNOW IT'S A PROBLEM BUT HAVE NO FIX. COMMON TO ALL SUPER DUTY WITH AIRBAG.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008312 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008506 · 2003-03-06 (March 6, 2003)
THE VEHICLE ROLLED OFF HILL AFTER BEING PARKED 60 MINUTES. TRUCK WAS IN FIRST GEAR WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE ON! THIS HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER OF 2001. RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY DURING MAY OF 2002 AND HAD SERVICE COMPLETED MAY 29TH OF 2002. ON FEBRUARY 28TH 2003 THE SAME TRUCK ROLLED OFF ANOTHER HILL WHILE IN FIRST GEAR WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON, AFTER BEING PARKED OVER 45 MINUTES! THERE SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKES AND/OR TRANSMISSIONS/GEAR RATIO IN THIS MODEL TRUCK***RECALL DID NOT WORK!!!!. A PERSON S…
Owner-reported narrative. 83,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008506 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008894 · 2003-03-03 (March 3, 2003)
THE CLUTCH RELEASE ARM FAILED. SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 75,055 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008894 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009802 · 2003-03-04 (March 4, 2003)
THE SPARK PLUGS WERE BLOWN OUT OF THE ENGINE. *NLM *TS
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009802 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
07V553000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel
Reported: 2007-12-05 (December 5, 2007)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗09V399000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 2009-10-13 (October 13, 2009)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗