1999 Ford F-550 SD

Routine

Owners filed 61 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › clutch assembly. It has been recalled 9 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train › Clutch Assembly12
001
Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs9
000
Tires6
000
Suspension › Front › Stabilizer Bar3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine3
000
Tires › Valve2
000
Structure › Frame and Members2
000
Steering › Gear Box › Shaft Sector2
000
Fuel System, Diesel › Storage › Tank Assembly2
000
Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood2
011

9 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Vehicle Speed Control09V399000
Filed Oct 13, 20094,500,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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.

Risk. A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

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.

Wheels › Hub07E106000
Filed Dec 17, 2007130,000 vehiclesFederal-Mogul Corporation

Defect. 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.

Risk. WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel07V553000
Filed Dec 5, 20071,176,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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.

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF AN ENGINE STALL, A CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

Vehicle Speed Control06V286000
Filed Aug 1, 20061,200,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.

Risk. OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)

Parking Brake › Conventional › Mechanical › Linkage and Cable02V068000
Filed Mar 11, 200251,846 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, FAILURE OF THE FRONT PARKING BRAKE CABLE INPUT BUTTON COULD RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM TO HOLD THE VEHICLE STATIONARY.

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AND A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PARKING BRAKE CABLE AND THE CONTROLLER AND VERIFY THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 5, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Tires › Valve01V046000
Filed Feb 14, 2001102,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH COMMERCIAL TRUCK TIRES THAT HAVE STEEL CORDS IN THE TIRE SIDEWALL. THE VALVE STEMS MAY HAVE BEEN TORN OR DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY AND COULD LEAK CAUSING SIDEWALL DAMAGE.

Risk. IF NOT MAINTAINED, COULD RESULT IN A SIDEWALL ZIPPER FAILURE. A ZIPPER FAILURE DURING INFLATION OF A DAMAGED TIRE COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO SOMEONE NEAR THE TIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VALVE STEMS FOR LEAKAGE, AND WILL REPLACE BOTH THE VALVE STEM AND THE TIRE IF LEAKAGE IS PRESENT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Vehicle Speed Control99V062001
Filed Mar 30, 1999898,739 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1997-1999 RHD EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MAY 29, 1996 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEERS EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC OR 5.0L ENGINES OR 1998-1999 RANGERS EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L, 3.0L FFV/EFI OR 4.0L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM JANUARY 5, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 MUSTANGS EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L, 4.6L 2-VALVE OR 4-VALVE ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1999 F250/F350/F450/F550 (OVER 8,500 LBS.) TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; AND 1999 F-53 STRIPPED CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999. A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE CAN INTERFERE WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SERVO PULLEY AND NOT ALLOW THE THROTTLE TO RETURN TO IDLE WHEN DISENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL.

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

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLES. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE REPLACEMENT CABLES ARE NOT AVAILABLE. CUSTOMERS ARE BEING ADVISED NOT TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM UNTIL A REPLACEMENT CAN BE MADE.

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-inactive98V303000
Filed Dec 1, 199820 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. THE CAST TOW HOOKS CHANGES THE CRASH PULSE OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONTAL BARRIER IMPACTS AND THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS NOT CALIBRATED TO THIS NEW CRASH PULSE WHICH MAY CAUSE THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY IN LOWER SPEED IMPACTS THAN DESIGN INTENT.

Risk. UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CAST TOW HOOKS WITH FORGED HOOKS.

Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack and Pinion)98V116000
Filed May 29, 199890,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS AND CHASSIS-CABS. ONE OR MORE OF THE FOUR RIVETS ON THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT FLEX COUPLING MAY NOT HAVE BEEN CRIMPED DURING THE SUB-ASSEMBLY PROCESS.

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.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT RIVETS AND REPLACE ANY SHAFTS WITH UNCRIMPED RIVETS.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 23, 201847,000 milesCA

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!

Suspension
Filed Mar 20, 2012160,000 milesVA

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.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Dec 6, 2010AZ

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

Fuel System, Diesel › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed May 3, 200665,000 milesCA

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

Fuel System, Diesel › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Mar 31, 2006CA

INTERNAL COATING FAILURE ON FUEL TANKS ON F550 SUPER DUTY FORD TRUCKS.THE FUEL SYSTEM BECOMES CLOGGED WITH RUST AND THE TANK MUST BE CLEANED OR REPLACED.WE HAVE FOUR VEHICLES AND HAVE INCURRED 8 TO 10 FAILURES IN PAST THREE YEARS. WE ARE UNABLE TO GET FORD TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM WHICH I THINK IS IMPROPER APPLICATION OF THE COATING MATERIAL. *NM

Steering › Gear Box › Shaft Sector
Filed Mar 21, 200699,000 milesCA

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

Steering › Gear Box › Shaft Sector
Filed Mar 21, 2006120,000 milesCA

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

Tires
Filed Jan 9, 2006OH

1999 FORD F550 REAR RIGHT DUAL TIRES SHEERED OF THE AXLE. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE STUDS BROKE. *JB

Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood
Filed Dec 7, 200535,000 milesNE

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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 22, 20049,420 milesOR

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder
Filed Jun 14, 200426,000 milesOK

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

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed Apr 2, 200449,111 milesPA

LOST OF DUAL REAR WHEELS DUE TO FAILURE OF WHEEL STUDS. *JB

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed Apr 2, 200473,504 milesPA

LOST OF DUAL REAR WHEELS DUE TO FAILURE OF WHEEL STUDS. *JB

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed Apr 2, 2004100,244 milesPA

LOST OF DUAL REAR WHEELS DUE TO FAILURE OF WHEEL STUDS. *JB

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed Apr 2, 200478,919 milesPA

LOSS OF DUAL REAR WHEELS DUE TO FAILURE OF WHEEL STUDS. *JB

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed Apr 2, 200482,864 milesPA

LOST OF DUAL REAR WHEELS DUE TO FAILURE OF WHEEL STUDS. *JB

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed Apr 2, 2004164,076 milesPA

LOST OF DUAL REAR WHEELS DUE TO FAILURE OF WHEEL STUDS. *JB

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed Mar 31, 200457,872 milesPA

LOSS OF DUAL REAR WHEELS DUE TO FAILURE OF WHEEL STUDS. *AK

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed Mar 31, 200499,600 milesPA

LOSS OF DUAL REAR WHEELS DUE TO FAILURE OF WHEEL STUDS. *AK

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Filed Mar 31, 2004110,236 milesPA

LOSS OF DUAL REAR WHEELS DUE TO FAILURE OF WHEEL STUDS. *AK

20 of 61 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20261200Routine
20251300Do not drive
20242200Routine
20231900Do not drive
202291210Do not drive
202112920Do not drive
20204800Routine
20194520Routine
20180300Routine
20172800Routine
20163300Routine
201511320Routine
20149620Routine
20132900Routine
201261000Routine
201131200Routine
20101700Routine
20091500Routine
200826400Routine
200723220Routine
200644211Fatalities reported
200532500Routine
200449350Routine
200333550Routine
200222530Routine
200129730Routine
200072620Routine
1999 — this page61930Routine
19980200Routine
19972300Routine
19960200Routine
19950200Routine
19940200Routine
19930100Routine

Compare every F-550 SD year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Oct 13, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.