1999 Ford F-450 SD: complaints, problems and recalls

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1999 FORD F450 CREW CAB WITH A DUMP BODY. IN THE SUMMER OF 2001 I NOTICED THE PAINT WAS PEALING FROM THE BACK CHASIS. I DID BIRING IT UP TO A FORD SERVICE MANAGER BACK IN AUGUST OF 2002 WHEN I HAD MY TRUCK IN FOR SERVICE. HE HAD SAID WHEN YOUR READY TO LAY THE TRUCK UP FOR A WHILE BRING IT IN OR CALL THE DEALER WHERE YOUR PURCHASED THE TRUCK FROM. SO NOW IT IS MY SLOW TIME JAN 2003 AND I CALLED MEADOLAND FORD TRUCK SALES WHERE I PURCHASED THE TRUCK AND THEY SAY THE TRUCK IS NOT COVERD. BARE METAL RUST IS NOT COV…

Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003265 at NHTSA ↗

AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY WITH SERIOUS FRONTAL IMPACT. CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAID IT WAS OK SINCE NO ONE WAS KILLED. I AM CONCERNED SINCE THIS IS AN AMBULANCE. *TS *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**770119

Owner-reported narrative. 103,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009403 at NHTSA ↗

THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WOULD NOT REMAIN ENGAGED. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017293 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE RIGHT REAR OUTSIDE FIRESTONE TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. SIZE#LT22575R16. PH. AN INDENT REPORT WAS ENCLOSED. *JB THE COMPANY STATED THE TIRE HAD BEEN OPERATED FOR LONG PERIOD OF TIME WITH INSUFFICIENT AIR PRESSURE TO CARRY THE LOAD AND THE TIRE FAILURE WAS NOT A RESULT OF A DEFECT IN THE MATERIALS OR WORKMANSHIP. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 26,290 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022025 at NHTSA ↗

ON JUNE 25, 2003 CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON A WET ROAD AT 35 MPH WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR WAS STRUCK BY AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS STRUCK IN THE FACE BY THE PLASTIC CASING SURROUNDING THE GLASS MIRROR.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 95,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10032187 at NHTSA ↗

AIR BREATHER BOX CONTINUED TO PULL AIR OFF OF TIRE RESULTING IN PERFORMANCE ISSUES AND SEVERE ENGINE WEAR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040891 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS, AND ONE DETERMINED THE FLYWHEEL BROKE. THE OTHER DEALER DETERMINED THE SPANNED BEARING NUMBER FIVE FAILED, AND NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE LAST DEALER WAS CORRECT. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 28,493 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056119 at NHTSA ↗

CONSUMER HAVE A CONCERN THAT 2 LAP BELT BUCKLES LOCATED ON THE 5TH. ROW BENT SEAT AND 1 LAP BELT ON THE 1ST. ROW BENT SEAT ARE COMING APART, WHICH LEAVE PASSENGERS WITHOUT PROPER RESTRAINT IF INVOLVED IN A VEHICLE CRASH. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10082105 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2001-02-14 (February 14, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH COMMERCIAL TRUCK TIRES THAT HAVE STEEL CORDS IN THE TIRE SIDEWALL. THE VALVE STEMS MAY HAVE BEEN TORN OR DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY AND COULD LEAK CAUSING SIDEWALL DAMAGE.

Consequence: IF NOT MAINTAINED, COULD RESULT IN A SIDEWALL ZIPPER FAILURE. A ZIPPER FAILURE DURING INFLATION OF A DAMAGED TIRE COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO SOMEONE NEAR THE TIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VALVE STEMS FOR LEAKAGE, AND WILL REPLACE BOTH THE VALVE STEM AND THE TIRE IF LEAKAGE IS PRESENT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Reported: 2002-03-11 (March 11, 2002)

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, FAILURE OF THE FRONT PARKING BRAKE CABLE INPUT BUTTON COULD RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM TO HOLD THE VEHICLE STATIONARY.

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AND A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PARKING BRAKE CABLE AND THE CONTROLLER AND VERIFY THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 5, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Reported: 2006-08-01 (August 1, 2006)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.

Consequence: OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)

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.

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.

Reported: 1998-05-29 (May 29, 1998)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS AND CHASSIS-CABS. ONE OR MORE OF THE FOUR RIVETS ON THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT FLEX COUPLING MAY NOT HAVE BEEN CRIMPED DURING THE SUB-ASSEMBLY PROCESS.

Consequence: IF A RIVET IS NOT CRIMPED, THE FLEX JOINT CAN ROTATE ON THE SHAFT AND THERE WOULD BE A REDUCTION IN OR LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT RIVETS AND REPLACE ANY SHAFTS WITH UNCRIMPED RIVETS.

Reported: 1998-09-24 (September 24, 1998)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS BUILT ON A 165" WHEEL BASE, 4X2 CHASSIS-CABS EQUIPPED WITH A 6.81 ENGINE, 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND OPTIONAL 5.38:1 REAR AXLE RATIO. THE TWO-PIECE DRIVE SHAFT CAN BE DAMAGED IF THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 80 MILES PER HOUR.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN UNDERBODY DAMAGE OR FOR THE DRIVE SHAFT TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVE SHAFT ON THESE VEHICLES.

Reported: 1998-12-01 (December 1, 1998)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. THE CAST TOW HOOKS CHANGES THE CRASH PULSE OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONTAL BARRIER IMPACTS AND THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS NOT CALIBRATED TO THIS NEW CRASH PULSE WHICH MAY CAUSE THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY IN LOWER SPEED IMPACTS THAN DESIGN INTENT.

Consequence: UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CAST TOW HOOKS WITH FORGED HOOKS.

Reported: 1999-03-30 (March 30, 1999)

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.