1999 Ford F-350 SD problems & reliability
142 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1999 Ford F-350 SD, alongside 2 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
7 complaints report injuries (11 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 32 | 23% |
| Tires | 27 | 19% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 16 | 11% |
| Power Train | 15 | 11% |
| Wheels | 14 | 10% |
| Electrical System | 10 | 7% |
| Steering | 10 | 7% |
| Suspension | 7 | 5% |
| Air Bags | 5 | 4% |
| Parking Brake | 5 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 95,500 miles (middle 50% between 51,613 and 130,500 miles), based on 104 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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.”
Tires · filed Oct 19, 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…”
Tires · filed Apr 11, 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”
Steering · filed Feb 10, 2013
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- ENGINE STALLING
Engineering Analysis EA06012 · opened Jun 22, 2006 · closed Dec 7, 2007 · led to recall 07V553000
- ENGINE STALLING
Preliminary Evaluation PE06011 · opened Feb 27, 2006 · closed Jun 23, 2006
- SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
Defect Petition DP05005 · opened Sep 22, 2005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Engineering Analysis EA05005 · opened Mar 22, 2005 · closed Aug 2, 2006 · led to recall 08V025000
- SECTOR SHAFT FRACTURES
Engineering Analysis EA01009 · opened Mar 2, 2001 · closed Aug 19, 2003
Technical service bulletins
98 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1999 Ford F-350 SD. The 10 most recent:
This SKU is a Spare Tire Hoist. Test results identified that the pull force parameter was not within specification, as a precautionary measure unsold inventory was requested to be returned for testing and containment…
DOR-U2J7Y-02 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 13, 2020
This SKU is a Spare Tire Hoist. Test results identified that the pull force parameter was not within specification, as a precautionary measure unsold inventory was requested to be returned for testing and containment…
DOR-C2C6H-02 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 13, 2020
This SKU is a front upper ball joint. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for ball studs with excessive rotational friction in the ball joint assembly. Excessive friction in the…
DOR-B8H4Z-11 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 2, 2018
1999-2008 7.3l/6.0l/6.4l/4.5l diesel f-super duty - clean the charge air cooler (cac) system after certain turbo or engine failures - service tip. *nj
20228 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2008
Water in the fuel tank behind rear axle - 6.0l, 6.4l and 7.3l diesel engine. *kb updated 2/29/08. *nj
07312 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 2007
1999-2008 f250-f550 super duty 4x4 with electronic shift transfer case not engaging 4x4. *nj
20052 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 1, 2007
Lack of power due to low fuel pressure - fuel tank liner seperation. *kb
19728 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2007
Lack of power due to low fuel pressure, fuel tank liner seperation. *kb
19621 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 2007
Vacuum pump inoperative or runs continuously - climate control defaults to defrost mode. *tt
05174 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 7, 2005
Drive away shudder or vibration. *eh
04227 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 7, 2005
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 1999 Ford F-350 SD has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1999 Ford F-350 SD?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 95,500 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.