1999 Ford F Series 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 Series, 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
- Engine1433.3%
- Fuel system716.7%
- Electrical49.5%
- Body & structure37.1%
- Brakes37.1%
- Tires & wheels37.1%
- Visibility24.8%
- Interior & seats24.8%
- Exterior lighting12.4%
- Suspension12.4%
- Driver assistance12.4%
- Airbags12.4%
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
NUMBER 3 SPARKPLUG AND COIL FLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION, THEN ENGINE WAS RUNNING ROUGH AND LOUD. MECHANIC STATED THAT DUE TO A FAULTY DESIGN, THE #7 SPARK PLUG HAD BEEN SHOT FROM THE ENGINE, DAMAGINE THE IGNITION COIL AND ALLOWING FUEL TO SPRAY FROM THE INJECTORS ONTO THE NOW LOOSE SPARK PLUG. MECHANIC STATED I WAS LUCKY THIS DID NOT RESULT IN AN ENGINE FIRE. ENGINE IS FORD 5.4L V8. MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT THE DESIGN OF THE ENGINE MEANS THAT THE ALUMINUM HEADS HAVE APPROX. HALF AS MANY THREADS AS A NORMAL SPARK PLUG, MEANING THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE AND FORD IS AWARE OF THE FIRE RISK BUT HAS CHOSEN NOT TO ADDRESS. *TR
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE INSPECTING MY VEHICLE FOR FUEL STRAP RECALL 11S21, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE FRAME OF MY F150 WAS RUSTED THROUGH AT THE LOCATION WHERE THE NEW STRAP WOULD BE INSTALLED. MY FORD DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLACE THE RECALLED STRAP UNTIL THE FRAME WAS REPAIRED (AT MY EXPENSE). FORD DOES NOT REPAIR THE FRAME UNDER THE RECALL, ONLY REPLACES THE STRAP. I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD DO THE FRAME REPAIR AS PART OF THE RECALL, AS THE STRAP WAS LESS RUSTY THAN THE FRAME. THE STRAPS, IN MY OPINION, WERE OF SIMILAR QUALITY AS THE FRAME, ONLY THINNER METAL. MY TRUCK HAS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED, BUT THE UNDERCARRIAGE HAS BEEN RUSTING EXCESSIVELY SINCE NEW. I OWN MUCH OLDER FORD VEHICLES WITH NO SUCH ISSUE; MY OPINION IS THAT FORD SOURCED POOR QUALITY MATERIALS WHEN BUILDING THESE MODEL YEAR TRUCKS. I ALSO HAVE RUST HOLES IN THE TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK TUBE AND EXHAUST MANIFOLDS. NO REASON FOR THIS EXCESSIVE CORROSION, SINCE I HAVE BEEN DILIGENT ABOUT MAINTAINING THIS TRUCK. MY 1982 FORD VAN HAS NO SUCH ISSUES, AND IT HAS NOT BEEN CARED FOR AS WELL AS THIS TRUCK. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.
I TOOK MY F-150 IN FOR A RECALL ON THE FUEL TANK STRAPS RUSTING, THE DEALERSHIP WAS NICK NICHOLAS FORD IN INVERNESS, FLORIDA. THEY TOLD ME MY FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING FROM RUST. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF FIXING IT. MY COMPLAINT IS IF THE STRAPS RUSTED AND CAUSED THE TANK TO RUST AND LEAK AT THE AREA WHERE THE STRAPS TOUCH THE TANK. WHY ISN'T THE TANK INCLUDED IN THE RECALL? THE RUSTED TANK LEAKING IS A CLEAR DANGER TO ME, THE ENVIRONMENT, AND OTHER DRIVERS. THE GAS NEVER DRIPPED ON THE GROUND SO I NEVER KNEW IT WAS LEAKING UNTIL I TOOK IT IN. *TR
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
WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION, THEN ENGINE WAS RUNNING ROUGH AND LOUD. MECHANIC STATED THAT DUE TO A FAULTY DESIGN, THE #7 SPARK PLUG HAD BEEN SHOT FROM THE ENGINE, DAMAGINE THE IGNITION COIL AND ALLOWING FUEL TO SPRAY FROM THE INJECTORS ONTO THE NOW LOOSE SPARK PLUG. MECHANIC STATED I WAS LUCKY THIS DID NOT RESULT IN AN ENGINE FIRE. ENGINE IS FORD 5.4L V8. MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT THE DESIGN OF THE ENGINE MEANS THAT THE ALUMINUM HEADS HAVE APPROX. HALF AS MANY THREADS AS A NORMAL SPARK PLUG, MEANING THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE AND FORD IS AWARE OF THE FIRE RISK BUT HAS CHOSEN NOT TO ADDRESS. *TR
1999 FORD F-150 CAUGHT FIRE AND BURT TO THE GROUND IN A PARKING LOT. FIRE STARTED UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMANT STATED BY A WITNESS. THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING ABOUT 2 HOURS BEFORE IT CAUGHT FIRE. FOUND NUMEROUS RECALL ARTICLES ON THE WEB ABOUT A SWITCH CATCHING FIRE. *NM
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
BLEW OUT SPARKPLUGS AND BROKE BRACKET ON THE SIDE OF COIL PACKS. DON'T LIKE PAYING $85 A POP FOR FORD'S POOR DESIGN. PLUS THE HEALY COILS OR MAYBE THAT'S THE MOTIVE. THIS HAPPENED THREE DIFFERENT TIMES. *TR
REAR SLIDER WINDOW DEVELOPS CRACKS IN PLASTIC FRAME, CAUSING THE WINDOW TO LEAK INTO THE CAB. DEALER AND MANUFACTURE REFUSE TO COMPENSATE FOR REPLACEMENT. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKES BECAME MUSH, THEN LINES BURST IN BACK OVER TANK. MASTER CYLINDER WAS BONE DRY. *TR
ABS FAILURE ON A FORD 1999 F-150. I HAVE HAD THE ABS FAIL TWICE AND THIS TIME IT HAS BEEN IN THE FORD DEALERS SHOP FOR OVER 30 DAYS. IT IS AT MORRISTOWN FORD IN MORRISTOWN,TN.37814. EACH TIME MY BRAKES HAVE FAILED AND ALMOST CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS TIME THIS REPAIR WAS NOT AT MY FAULT, SERVICE WRITER STATED IT HAD MOISTURE IN THE MODULE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED? MORRISTOWN REPLACED THIS MODULE IN AUG. 2007, I FEEL I WAS SOLD A DEFECTIVE PART AND NOW THE ABS MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $600.00. I FEEL FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR SINCE THE PART THAT WAS REPLACE MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE SINCE SERVICE WRITER TOLD ME IT WAS MISSING GREASE THAT SHOULD HAVE PREVENTED MOISTURE. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE SUFFERED TREAD SEPARATION AFTER APX 1 HOUR AROUND 70 MPH. TIRE PRESSURE WAS CHECKED / INFLATED TO MAX COLD PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. AIR TEMPERATURE WAS IN THE LOW 80S. I AM PROVIDING THIS INFORMATION IN CASE YOU TRACK SUCH INCIDENTS. NO RESPONSE IS REQUIRED. COOPER DISCOVERER H/T 255/70 R16 DOT UPCU C5U 2808. *TR
INSIDE OF TIRE IS SEPARATING. LARGE BUBBLE , 4" X 6" IN SIZE. NO OTHER LEAKS OR PUNCTURES OR PATCHES/PLUGS IN TIRE. CAUSES EXTREME VIBRATIONS. HAD TO REMOVE AND REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES FOR SAFETY REASONS. 265 70R 17 WRANGLER AT/S *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE BLEND DOOR THAT SEPARATES THE COLD AIR FROM THE HOT AIR BREAKS CAUSING NO HOT AIR TO BE RELEASED. THEREFORE NOT LETTING YOU DEFROST YOUR WINDSHIELD. THE WHOLE DASH HAS TO BE COMPLETELY REMOVED TO REPLACE THIS FREQUENTLY BREAKING PART. APROX $1100 IN DEALER REPAIRS. I HAVE FOUND IN NUMEROUS FORUMS AND ASKING DEALER TECH'S THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IF FORD PRODUCTS. *TR
MY CONCERN IS THE TEMPERATURE BLEND DOOR ON THE 1999 FORD EXPEDITION. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THE PLASTIC ON THE DOOR CRACKING, CAUSING THE DOOR NOT TO OPEN OR CLOSE PROPERLY. LAST WINTER I COULD NOT GET MY HEAT ON TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD, AND WAS ALMOST IN A WRECK BECAUSE I HAD TO WIPE THE WINSHIELD MYSELF WITH A PAPER TOWEL. THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF THIS DOOR WAS TO SEPARATE THE COLD FROM THE HOT AIR. FORD QUOTED ABOUT $1100.00 TO FIX THIS PART SINCE THE WHOLE DASHBOARD HAS TO BE REMOVED TO GET ACCESS TO THE PART. I HAVE NOT HAD TIME OR THE MONEY TO GET THIS PART FIXED. *AK
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
DASH LIGHTS DON'T ALWAYS WORK MILEAGE LIGHT MOSTLY. *NM
CRACK ON DRIVER SIDE DOOR ON 1999 FORD F150 AND ON MOST OTHER YEAR F150 FORD WILL NOT BACK UP THIER DEFECT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN USING "LEFT" DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL, YOU HAVE TO FUSS WITH IT WHILE DRIVING TO MAKE IT STAY IN PLACE, THIS HAS HAPPENED BOTH ON THE BRAND NEW 1999 FORD RANGER I BOUGHT AND ALSO THE 1999 FORD F-150 THAT I PRESENTLY OWN AND DRIVE. *LA
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
ON JULY 28TH AROUND 3:00 AM THERE WAS A STORM EARLIER IN THE NIGHT AND A TREE TOP FELL INTO THE ROAD AND I WENTTO APPLY THE BRAKES THEY LOCKED UP CAUSING ME TO FISH TAIL AND LOSE CONTROL SPINNING AROUND TWICE MAKING ME STRIKE A TREE AND SPIN BACK AROUND AND NOSE DIVE DOWN AND EMBANKMENT AND LAND ON ALL FOUR WHEELS MESSED UP THE FRONT BUMPER LEFT FENDER LEFT DOOR CRACKED WINDSHIELD AND COMPLETELY WIPED OUT THE BED. *TR
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
ON JULY 28TH AROUND 3:00 AM THERE WAS A STORM EARLIER IN THE NIGHT AND A TREE TOP FELL INTO THE ROAD AND I WENTTO APPLY THE BRAKES THEY LOCKED UP CAUSING ME TO FISH TAIL AND LOSE CONTROL SPINNING AROUND TWICE MAKING ME STRIKE A TREE AND SPIN BACK AROUND AND NOSE DIVE DOWN AND EMBANKMENT AND LAND ON ALL FOUR WHEELS MESSED UP THE FRONT BUMPER LEFT FENDER LEFT DOOR CRACKED WINDSHIELD AND COMPLETELY WIPED OUT THE BED. *TR
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
ON JULY 28TH AROUND 3:00 AM THERE WAS A STORM EARLIER IN THE NIGHT AND A TREE TOP FELL INTO THE ROAD AND I WENTTO APPLY THE BRAKES THEY LOCKED UP CAUSING ME TO FISH TAIL AND LOSE CONTROL SPINNING AROUND TWICE MAKING ME STRIKE A TREE AND SPIN BACK AROUND AND NOSE DIVE DOWN AND EMBANKMENT AND LAND ON ALL FOUR WHEELS MESSED UP THE FRONT BUMPER LEFT FENDER LEFT DOOR CRACKED WINDSHIELD AND COMPLETELY WIPED OUT THE BED. *TR
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 .