1999 Ford F-550 Sd Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1999 Ford F-550 Sd, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Transmission1922.1%
- Other / unspecified1214.0%
- Engine1011.6%
- Tires & wheels910.5%
- Brakes67.0%
- Suspension55.8%
- Fuel system55.8%
- Powertrain (other)44.7%
- Airbags33.5%
- Body & structure33.5%
- Electrical33.5%
- Steering33.5%
- Interior & seats22.3%
- Driver assistance22.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION STOP SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD MAJOR OIL LEAKS THROUGH THE FUEL SYSTEM. *JB
AS THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND STAYED. THE MASTER CYLINDER AND SLAVE CYLINDER HAD EXCESS WERE ON THE PRESSURE PLATE FINGERS. THE TRANSMISSION WAS HARD TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND LOW GEAR. THE HARD CLUTCH MADE NOISE. THE CLUTCH COMPANY WAS WELL AWARE OF FORD'S PROBLEM AND HAD RE-ENGINEERED AND DESIGNED A NEW PACKAGE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING AT THE FUEL FILTER, THE SWAY BAR WAS BROKEN, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYED ON, ENGINE OIL LEAK, AND THE GAS CAP WAS BROKEN. *AK *SC *JB
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
1999 FORD F550 REAR RIGHT DUAL TIRES SHEERED OF THE AXLE. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE STUDS BROKE. *JB
LOST OF DUAL REAR WHEELS DUE TO FAILURE OF WHEEL STUDS. *JB
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE MISFIRED. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SPARK PLUG WIRES WERE CROSSED, WHICH SEND THE SPARK TO THE WRONG AREA. THIS WAS CAUSING AIR POLLUTION. THE WIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK UPDATED 1/5/2006 - *NM
WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION STOP SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD MAJOR OIL LEAKS THROUGH THE FUEL SYSTEM. *JB
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
1999 FORD F550 REAR RIGHT DUAL TIRES SHEERED OF THE AXLE. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE STUDS BROKE. *JB
TIRE BLOW OUTS AND BULGE IN SIDEWALL OF TIRE. THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED THREE DIFFERENT TIRE FAILURES. TWO FAILURES WERE BLOWOUTS WHICH OCCURRED WHILE PULLING A TRAVEL TRAILER, THE THIRD WAS A BULGE IN THE SIDEWALL WHICH WAS DETECTED BEFORE THE TIRE COMPLETELY FAILED. THE TIRE APPEARED TO BE IN GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION WITH NO VISIBLE CRACKS OR DEFECTS. *NM
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
AS THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND STAYED. THE MASTER CYLINDER AND SLAVE CYLINDER HAD EXCESS WERE ON THE PRESSURE PLATE FINGERS. THE TRANSMISSION WAS HARD TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND LOW GEAR. THE HARD CLUTCH MADE NOISE. THE CLUTCH COMPANY WAS WELL AWARE OF FORD'S PROBLEM AND HAD RE-ENGINEERED AND DESIGNED A NEW PACKAGE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING AT THE FUEL FILTER, THE SWAY BAR WAS BROKEN, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYED ON, ENGINE OIL LEAK, AND THE GAS CAP WAS BROKEN. *AK *SC *JB
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN CLUTCH WENT OUT. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE INTO DEALER ALMOST EVERY 20OOO MILES. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK THE VEHICLE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE CRUISE CONTROL GOES OFF WHILE DRIVING FOR NO REASON. THE BOLTS SHEERED OFF FROM THE DRIVE SHAFT. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, INJURING THE CONSUMERS SON, ALSO CONSUMER STATES EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ON RECALL, HOWEVER DID NOT SPECIFY IF REPAIRS HAD BEEN DONE.*YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD F-550 SD. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS FRACTURED WHERE THE SHOCKS WERE LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
AS THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND STAYED. THE MASTER CYLINDER AND SLAVE CYLINDER HAD EXCESS WERE ON THE PRESSURE PLATE FINGERS. THE TRANSMISSION WAS HARD TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND LOW GEAR. THE HARD CLUTCH MADE NOISE. THE CLUTCH COMPANY WAS WELL AWARE OF FORD'S PROBLEM AND HAD RE-ENGINEERED AND DESIGNED A NEW PACKAGE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING AT THE FUEL FILTER, THE SWAY BAR WAS BROKEN, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYED ON, ENGINE OIL LEAK, AND THE GAS CAP WAS BROKEN. *AK *SC *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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!
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 SECOND TANK FAILURE WE CHANGED GAS STATIONS THINKING THE PROBLEM WAS BAD FUEL-NOT THE PROBLEM. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN CLUTCH WENT OUT. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE INTO DEALER ALMOST EVERY 20OOO MILES. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK THE VEHICLE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE CRUISE CONTROL GOES OFF WHILE DRIVING FOR NO REASON. THE BOLTS SHEERED OFF FROM THE DRIVE SHAFT. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, INJURING THE CONSUMERS SON, ALSO CONSUMER STATES EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ON RECALL, HOWEVER DID NOT SPECIFY IF REPAIRS HAD BEEN DONE.*YH
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH REAR END OF VEHICLE LOCKED UP. DEALER STATED THAT REAR DIFFERENTIAL OIL PLUG FELL OUT WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, OIL LEAKED OUT AND CAUSED REAR END TO LOCK UP. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING 65MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. DRIVER HAD NOT HIT ANYTHING, AND WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CRASH.*AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN CLUTCH WENT OUT. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE INTO DEALER ALMOST EVERY 20OOO MILES. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK THE VEHICLE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE CRUISE CONTROL GOES OFF WHILE DRIVING FOR NO REASON. THE BOLTS SHEERED OFF FROM THE DRIVE SHAFT. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, INJURING THE CONSUMERS SON, ALSO CONSUMER STATES EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ON RECALL, HOWEVER DID NOT SPECIFY IF REPAIRS HAD BEEN DONE.*YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE RIGHT FRAME RAIL CRACKED AND BROKE IN HALF, CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, AND WANTED DEALER TO GET IN TOUCH WITH FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE. *JG *AK
FRAME BROKE ADJACENT TO THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK ABSORBER BRACKET. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE MISFIRED. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SPARK PLUG WIRES WERE CROSSED, WHICH SEND THE SPARK TO THE WRONG AREA. THIS WAS CAUSING AIR POLLUTION. THE WIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK UPDATED 1/5/2006 - *NM
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, 2001 ENGINE OVERHEATING, DEALER REPLACED GASKETS, THERMOSTATS AND OTHER RELATED ITEMS, SERVICE DOCUMENT INDICATED RECALL WORK DONE BUT NO EXPLAINATION AS TO WHAT. SEPTEMBER 2, 2003 TRUCK FIRE, BURNS AN EMPLOYEE ATTEMPTING TO EXTINGUISH. TRUCK TOWED TO DEALER, WIRE HARNESS ON BOTH SIDES REPLACED, FIRE WAS ON DRIVER SIDE THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS READY TO BURN ALSO. RECEIVED TRUCK BACK, 6 HOURS LATER TRANSMISSION GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. TOWED BACK TO DEALER AND FORDS RESPONSE IS, WE PAY $2000.00 TOWARDS A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION AND THEY WOULD IN TURN PICK UP THE REST OF THE COSTS AND EXTEND OUR POWER STROKE DIESEL ENGINE WARRENTY FOR 4 MORE YEARS, NY PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION NEW IN 1999 ONLY COST $995.00 LET ALONE THE FACT THAT THIS TRANSMISSION ONLY HAS 28,000 MILES ON IT, AM I PAYING FOR THE DEFECTIVE WIRING ALSO? I THINK FORD IS YANKING OUR CHAIN AND YOUR CHAIN AND IT NEEDS TO STOP NOW. WE IMPOWER YOU TO HELP US THE CONSUMER AND TAX PAYERS FIGHT THIS KIND OF CONSUMER ABSUE AND I HOPE IT DOES NOT HAVE TO RESULT TO THE LOSS OF TOO MANY MORE LIVES BEFORE IT IS STOPPED. IT IS SO OBVIOUS THAT THERE ARE SOME SERIOUS DEFECTS WITH THIS VEHICLE SERIES AND I AM CURIOUS AS TO WHEN IT WILL BE ADDRESSED.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH IN A PARKING LOT GOING OVER A SPEED BUMP 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. *JB
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
AS THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND STAYED. THE MASTER CYLINDER AND SLAVE CYLINDER HAD EXCESS WERE ON THE PRESSURE PLATE FINGERS. THE TRANSMISSION WAS HARD TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND LOW GEAR. THE HARD CLUTCH MADE NOISE. THE CLUTCH COMPANY WAS WELL AWARE OF FORD'S PROBLEM AND HAD RE-ENGINEERED AND DESIGNED A NEW PACKAGE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING AT THE FUEL FILTER, THE SWAY BAR WAS BROKEN, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYED ON, ENGINE OIL LEAK, AND THE GAS CAP WAS BROKEN. *AK *SC *JB
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, 2001 ENGINE OVERHEATING, DEALER REPLACED GASKETS, THERMOSTATS AND OTHER RELATED ITEMS, SERVICE DOCUMENT INDICATED RECALL WORK DONE BUT NO EXPLAINATION AS TO WHAT. SEPTEMBER 2, 2003 TRUCK FIRE, BURNS AN EMPLOYEE ATTEMPTING TO EXTINGUISH. TRUCK TOWED TO DEALER, WIRE HARNESS ON BOTH SIDES REPLACED, FIRE WAS ON DRIVER SIDE THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS READY TO BURN ALSO. RECEIVED TRUCK BACK, 6 HOURS LATER TRANSMISSION GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. TOWED BACK TO DEALER AND FORDS RESPONSE IS, WE PAY $2000.00 TOWARDS A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION AND THEY WOULD IN TURN PICK UP THE REST OF THE COSTS AND EXTEND OUR POWER STROKE DIESEL ENGINE WARRENTY FOR 4 MORE YEARS, NY PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION NEW IN 1999 ONLY COST $995.00 LET ALONE THE FACT THAT THIS TRANSMISSION ONLY HAS 28,000 MILES ON IT, AM I PAYING FOR THE DEFECTIVE WIRING ALSO? I THINK FORD IS YANKING OUR CHAIN AND YOUR CHAIN AND IT NEEDS TO STOP NOW. WE IMPOWER YOU TO HELP US THE CONSUMER AND TAX PAYERS FIGHT THIS KIND OF CONSUMER ABSUE AND I HOPE IT DOES NOT HAVE TO RESULT TO THE LOSS OF TOO MANY MORE LIVES BEFORE IT IS STOPPED. IT IS SO OBVIOUS THAT THERE ARE SOME SERIOUS DEFECTS WITH THIS VEHICLE SERIES AND I AM CURIOUS AS TO WHEN IT WILL BE ADDRESSED.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 INSTALLED A WIRING HARNESS AND RECORDED THE RECALL HAD BEEN DONE, BUT IT WAS NOT FIXED. THE NEXT DEALERSHIP REMOVED AND REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS, TO NO AVAIL, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND COMPLAINED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS THAT WAS INSTALLED DID NOT FIX THE CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEM. THEY REMOVED THE LAST HARNESS AND INSTALLED ANOTHER. THE SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED FOUR TIMES. THE CONSUMER STATED IT HAS BEEN THREE YEARS, AND THE PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *JB
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN CLUTCH WENT OUT. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE INTO DEALER ALMOST EVERY 20OOO MILES. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK THE VEHICLE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE CRUISE CONTROL GOES OFF WHILE DRIVING FOR NO REASON. THE BOLTS SHEERED OFF FROM THE DRIVE SHAFT. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, INJURING THE CONSUMERS SON, ALSO CONSUMER STATES EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ON RECALL, HOWEVER DID NOT SPECIFY IF REPAIRS HAD BEEN DONE.*YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .