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1999 Ford F-550 SDProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 61 owner complaints about the 1999 Ford F-550 SD, most often about the power train. It is covered by 8 safety recalls.

40
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.5× the F-550 SD median · #2 of 12 years by complaints
Safety recalls8Free fix at dealersOwner complaints615 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage9kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 23, 2018. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1999 Ford F-550 SD has problems

61 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train234
Wheels110
Engine and engine cooling102
Tires80
Suspension50
Service brakes, hydraulic41
Air bags31
Electrical system32
Fuel system, diesel30
8 other systems153

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

8 recalls

1999 Ford F-550 SD recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Show 4 more recalls
–no report yet

Vehicle speed control

Recall 99V-062 · Mar 30, 1999 · 898,739 vehicles

Risk. IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS USED AND THIS CONDITION IS PRESENT, A STUCK THROTTLE COULD RESULT, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)

Recall 98V-116 · May 29, 1998 · 90,000 vehicles

Risk. 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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1999 vs. every other F-550 SD year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the F-550 SD median. How we score

'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1999 Ford F-550 SD, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SECTOR SHAFT FRACTURESEA01009 · closed Aug 19, 2003
    No recall
  2. RAPID TIRE DEFLATIONEA02018 · closed Aug 22, 2003
    No recall
  3. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA05005 · closed Aug 2, 2006
    Led to recall 05V-388
  4. ENGINE STALLINGEA06012 · closed Dec 7, 2007
    Led to recall 07V-553
In owners' words

What F-550 SD owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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
Complaint 10083472 · Jul 22, 2004 · 9,420 miles
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…
Complaint 10072259 · Jun 14, 2004 · 26,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10037570 · Sep 9, 2003 · 9,470 miles

Own a 1999 F-550 SD?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.