1999 Ford F-350 SD: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 142 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (22% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 142 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I wias traveling on hwy. 27 outside of blakely ga on 09-17-15. My front drivers side tire tread belt separated. I lost control of the vehicle and narrowly avoided a severe accident. The tire was a pro-comp all terrain load range e 265/75/16.”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford f-350 diesel equipped with nitto low range e tires, size: lt 245/75/r17. The contact stated that the rear driver and passenger side tires blew. The front driver's side tire also blew shortly after the initial failure. The contact stated that the tires were left with half of the tread life at the time of the failure. The failure mileage on the tires was 40,000. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Feb 2013
“At a stop and then at 5 mph applied brakes steering I have replaced steering box and powersteering pump and still same problem. This could cause a wreck if happened when turning and not able to return steering. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford f-350 sd. While driving approximately 5 mph, there was a complete loss of power steering and force was applied to the brakes repeatedly before coming to a stop. The vehicle was maneuvered off the road. The contact discovered the serpentine belt broke in which he replaced. The vehicle was able to resume as normal. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford f-350 sd. The contact stated while driving 35 mph the power of steering failed and as a result the steering shaft broke. The contact mentioned that due to the failure he was unable to control the steering wheel and crashed into snow bank. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 145,000.”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2012
“1 operating hour after coming down a 7% grade my 1999 f350 truck with camper suffered complete brake failure due to a corroded brake line. The fault occurred in a clip where moisture and abrasives had been held against the steel brake line. Nearby diesel fuel lines exhibited no rust. Because ford used steel that can rust for the critical brake line, my family almost lost our lives and potentially caused the deaths of others. The replacement left par of the original brake line in place. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford f-350 sd. The contact stated that there was a fracture in the front driver side wheel. The front passenger side wheel was also fractured and separated from the vehicle prior to the most recent failure, but was repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but denied any assistance with repairs to the vehicle. The manufacturer of the wheel was notified and deemed the vehicle as unsafe to drive. The front driver side wheel was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 160,000.”Owner report · Wheels · Jun 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford f-350 super duty. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired in november 2009 under NHTSA campaign id number: 06v286000 (vehicle speed control). In march 2010, the vehicle was parked when it suddenly caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire yet they were unable to determine the origin of the fire. A fire report was available. The vehicle was destroyed and the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The current and failure mileage was approximately 109,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2011
“I noticed a strong diesel smell while driving my 1999 ford f350 pickup two weeks ago. Upon investigation I found diesel had sprayed on the top of the hot engine. I took the truck to a local shop; the mechanic told me, "yeah, we see this all the time, usually on trucks of this age. It's the fuel drain valve behind the filter casing." I do not like the idea of any fuel spraying onto the top of a hot engine! *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Diesel · Dec 2010
“I have a 1999 f350 super duty diesel with a 7.3 engine and my inside light do not work right some times it will just come on as you are driving down the street and some times it wont come on when you open the door .the inside light is getting worse my truck would just stop running as you are driving down the street or at a stop light. I went into the fuse box under the steering wheel and I thought it could be a fuse come to fine out that my relay fuse to the inside light was so hot that it could have started a fire so I pulled it out now I drive around with no inside lighting. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 13 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact F-350 SD by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Ford F-350 SD reliable?
NHTSA has 142 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Ford F-350 SD. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Ford F-350 SD problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 95,500 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Ford F-350 SD have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning vehicle speed control. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.