Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1999 Ford F-250, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Tires107
- Service brakes, hydraulic97
- Engine and engine cooling66
- Power train61
- Steering49
- Air bags40
- Vehicle speed control32
- Fuel system, gasoline29
- Suspension28
- Electrical system25
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 38 injuries and 2 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 129 1999 F-250 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 65 people died inside them, and 51 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1999 Ford F-250 failed the safety check 1.10% of the time — 38% less often than the average 1999 passenger car (1.76%). Median odometer at inspection: 184,326 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 6 variants: combined 16.4–19.3 L/100 km (about 12–14 mpg US), CO₂ 377–444 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| F-250 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 18.6 | 13.6 | 16.4 |
| F-250 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 19.0 | 14.1 | 16.8 |
| F-250 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 19.3 | 14.4 | 17.1 |
| F-250 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 20.0 | 15.1 | 17.8 |
| F-250 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 20.2 | 15.8 | 18.2 |
| F-250 4X4 · Pickup truck: Standard · Regular gasoline | 21.5 | 16.6 | 19.3 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
10 Transport Canada recalls for the 1999 Ford F-250.
| 2019420 21 Aug 2019 | Other Issue: This recall is for aftermarket replacement rear window glass produced by Vitro Automotriz. Certain rear window glass may not have been properly tempere… |
| 2011281 1 Aug 2011 | Fuel System On certain 1997-2003 F-150, 2004 F-150 Heritage, 1997-1999 F-250, and 2002-2003 Lincoln Blackwood vehicles that were originally sold in or are currently operate… |
| 2005028 14 Feb 2005 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. The condition may occur ei… |
| 2004164 18 May 2004 | Steering On certain vehicles, Ford has issued a scheduled maintenance guide update which specifies that every 20 000 kms, the steering linkage, which includes tie-rod en… |
| 2002046 11 Mar 2002 | Brakes Certain trucks equipped with manual transmissions. Fatigue failure of the front parking brake cable input button these vehicles could result in failure of the p… |
| 2000281 28 Nov 2000 | Lights And Instruments On certain vehicles, the daytime running lamp circuit contains a resistor that is corroding. If this occurs, the resistive element can open, resulting in a los… |
| 1999215 15 Nov 1999 | Fuel System On certain trucks equipped with an 8 foot box, pickup box attachments may be damaged during the 48 km/h front barrier test. During the subsequent static rollo… |
| 1999076 5 May 1999 | Fuel System On certain regular cab 4X2 and 4X4 pick-ups with 6 and 8 foot box, the pick-up box attachments may be damaged during the 48 km/h front barrier test. During the … |
| 1999061 15 Apr 1999 | Engine On certain vehicles, the speed control cable may interfere with the speed control servo pulley and not allow the throttle to return to idle when disengaging the… |
| 1998105 25 May 1998 | Steering ONE OR MORE OF THE RIVETS ON THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT FLEX COUPLING MAY NOT HAVE BEEN STAKED (FLARED OVER) DURING THE SUB-ASSEMBLY PROCESS. THIS CONDITION COUL… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2003 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150, 2004 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150 HERITAGE, 1997 THROUGH 1999 MODEL YEAR F-250 LESS THAN 8,500 LBS. GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR), AND 2002 AND 2003 LINCOLN BLACKWOOD VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 20, 1995, THROUGH AUGUST 4, 2004, ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ROAD DEICING CHEMICALS MAY CAUSE SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WHICH SECURE THE TANK TO THE VEHICLE.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BI-FUEL CNG PICKUP TRUCKS AND BI-FUEL CNG VANS, MODIFIED BY CFI CONTROL SYSTEMS, INC., FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 303, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY OF COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS VEHICLES." THE LABEL AFFIXED TO THE FUEL FILLER DOOR BY THE VEHICLE MODIFIER CONTAINS THE INSPECTION DATE AND EXPIRATION DATE OF THE CNG TANK. HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT CONTAIN THE STATEMENT "SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE FUEL CONTAINER FOR INSPECTION AND SERVICE LIFE."
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH GASOLINE ENGINES AND 8 FOOT BOXES, MAY NOT FULLY SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." IN A 30 MPH FRONTAL BARRIER CRASH TEST, A FUEL TANK VAPOR RECOVERY VALVE SEPARATED INTERNALLY. DURING THE SUBSEQUENT STATIC ROLLOVER TEST, FUEL SPILLAGE EXCEEDED THE SPECIFIED RATE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: GASOLINE AND DIESEL ENGINE PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 8 FOOT BEDS, DO NOT FULLY SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THE FUEL TANK FRONT STRAP ISOLATOR MAY NOT BE PROPERLY POSITIONED WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE STRAP CUTTING THE TANK DURING A 30 MPH FRONT BARRIER TEST, RESULTING IN FUEL SPILLAGE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 6" BEDS MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 5, 1998 THROUGH JUNE 4, 1999, DO NOT NOT FULLY SATISFY THE POST CRASH TEST STATIC ROLLOVER REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." CONTACT BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND A FUEL TANK LOCATOR BRACKET DURING A FRONT BARRIER IMPACT TEST RESULTED IN A CUT IN THE TANK, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: GASOLINE AND DIESEL ENGINE PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 6" AND 8" BEDS MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 5, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 21, 1999, DO NOT NOT FULLY SATISFY THE POST CRASH TEST STATIC ROLLOVER REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." SIX ATTACHMENT BOLTS (M12 BOLTS) MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE 30 MPH FRONT BARRIER TEST ALLOWING THE BOLTS TO SHIFT OR BECOME DETACHED, RESULTING IN FUEL SPILLAGE.
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.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. A SPEED CONTROL CABLE MAY NOT HAVE FULLY SEATED INTO THE ACCELERATOR BRACKET AT TIME OF INSTALLATION. IF THE CABLE IS NOT FULLY SEATED INTO THIS BRACKET, THE CABLE COULD SEPARATE FROM THE BRACKET.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR O-RING MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED WHEN THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WAS INSTALLED IN THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL. IF THE O-RING IS DAMAGED, FUEL VAPOR OR LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 1999 Ford F-250: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 636380 | INFORMATION ON VEHICLES EXHIBITING A PERCEIVED POOR FUEL RANGE / ECONOMY, AND OR A FAULTY FUEL GAUGE. *TT |
| 636350 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 5-SPEED MAZDA R2 MANUAL TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A HIGH EFFORT CONDITION WHEN SHIFTING ANY GEAR. *TT |
| 636078 | SOME BI-FUEL LPG VEHICLES (WITH COOLANT LOCK OFF) MAY EXHIBIT A NO START CONDITION. *TT |
| 633550 | SUBJECT REGARDING HEATER HOSE TO FUEL RAIL FLEX LINE INSPECTION. *JG |
| 631905 | SUBJECT REGARDING 198196 BOLT-ON STEERING STOPS SERVICE GROUP, ALL MODELS 0307, HR0307A AND HR1000A. *SLC |
| 630192 | SOME SUPER DUTY F SERIES EQUIPPED WITH PTO CAPABLE TRANSMISSIONS MAY EXHIBIT A FAILURE TO GO T HIGH IDLE UPON PTO ENGAGEMENT. *TT |
| 630111 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT VARIOUS DRIVEABILITY CONDITIONS INCLUDING LACKS POWER, HESITATES, HARD TO START, AND/OR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED AND PRODUCE POSSIBLE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0103, P0172 AND P0175. *TT |
| 627774 | SOME IGNITION SWITCH LOCK CYLINDER ASSEMBLIES MAY EXHIBIT ROUGNESS AND / OR EXCESS EFFORT IN TURNING, KEY DOES NOT FULLY RETURN FROM START, A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP MAY ILLUMINATE WITH P0500, P1502 AND U1039 STORED IN POWERTRIAN CONTROL MODULE (PCM). *TT |
| 627772 | A CONDITION MAY EXIST, WHERE THROTTLE STICKING MAY OCCUR ON A FEW VEHICLES IN VERY COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES AFTE OPERATING AT STEADY SPEED OR EXTENDED IDLE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. *TT |
| 627768 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE ROMEO BUILT 4.6L 2V ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT AN ENGINE OIL LEAK OR OIL WEEPAGE FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET AT THE RIGHT HAND REAR OR THE LEFT HAND FRONT OF THE ENGINE. *TT |
| 625810 | CONCERNS WITH CORRODED POSITIVE STARTER CABLE. *TT |
| 625715 | BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK.*JB |
| 624689 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A FUEL FILL VALVE SEALING CONDITION. *YD |
| 624569 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT REPEAT NOISE CONCERNS WITH THE FRONT STABILITY BAR END LINKS. *YH |
| 624082 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L ENGINE AND M5OD 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS MAY EXHIBIT HESITATION ON ACCELERATION AND A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATION WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES 90172 AND 90175. *SLC |
| 622800 | CONCERNS THAT SOME TRUCKS MAY EXHIBIT A LOOSE / DETACHED REAR WINDOW HALO TRIM GIMP MOULDING. *TT |
| 622661 | ON SOME VEHICLES THERE MAY BE AN OIL LEAK FROM THE RIGHT HAND HEAD GASKET AT THE REAR OF THE BLOCK / HEAD JOINT. *TT |
| 621111 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L ENGINE A 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A SLIGHT HESITATION ON LIGHT TIP-IN ACCELERATION AND A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0172 AND P0175. *TT |
| 621071 | VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L ENGINE AND 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A SLIGHT HESITATION ON LIGHT TIP-IN ACCELERATION AND A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0172 AND P0175. *TT |
| 620991 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT INADVERTENT 4X4 HI OR LOW SHIFT EVENTS, 4X4 AND / OR LOW RANGE INDICATOR FLASHING OR SOLID OR VEHICLE STUCK IN 4L AFTER UNCOMMANDED SHIFT. *TT |
| 620988 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4R70W AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A CLUNK NOISE DURING THE 2-1 DOWNSHIFT EVENT. *TT |
| 620986 | SUBJECT REGARDING OVERVIEW OF BI-FUEL CNG VEHICLE PARAMETER IDENTIFICATION DATA (PID), INPUTS AND OUTPUTS AS A DIAGNOSTIC AID FOR BI-FUEL VEHICLES. *TT |
| 620423 | SOME SUPER DUTY F SERIES VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A BRAKE SQUEAL / SQUEAK FROM THE REAR BRAKES. *TT |
| 620302 | A CONDITION MAY EXIST WHERE THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP IS ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0340 (CAMSHAFT POSITION (CMP) SENSOR A CIRCUIT) STORED, ACCOMPANIED WITH A DRIVEABILITY CONCERN. *TT |
| 620269 | INOPERATIVE OR INACCURATE SPEEDOMETER AS WELL AS 4X4 LIGHT INOPERATIVE AND / OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1635 AND / OR P1639 AFTER A POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) HAS BEEN REPLACED. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
STEERING SHAFT FRACTURE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation