Is the 1999 Ford F-550 SD reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Ford F-550 SD is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Ford F-550 SD?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 43% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1999 Ford F-550 SD have?

9 recalls on file for this model year.

1999 Ford F-550 SD

◆ Worse than typical

1999 Ford F-550 SD
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:55:00.578Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints: 61
Recalls: 9
Investigations: 4
Top problem: Power train

Complaints per year

1999: 61 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1993	0
1994	0
1995	0
1996	0
1997	2
1998	0
1999	61
2000	72
2001	29
2002	22
2003	33
2004	49
2005	32
2006	44
2007	23
2008	26
2009	1
2010	1
2011	3
2012	6
2013	2
2014	9
2015	11
2016	3
2017	2
2018	0
2019	4
2020	4
2021	13
2022	9
2023	1
2024	2
2025	1
2026	1

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

43% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing clutch assembly and automatic transmission.

FIREINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-09-09

Also filed under Engine and engine cooling and electrical system

Heard a clunking noise, and had vehicle serviced for universal joints. Two weeks later, while driving on highway went to apply brakes and all of a sudden there was smoke everywhere, tires caught on fire, and brakes failed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2000-06-30

Also filed under Engine and engine cooling and service brakes, hydraulic

Wheels

18% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing lugs/nuts/bolts/studs and multi piece.

Tires

16% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing valve.

Engine and engine cooling

16% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing engine and cooling system.

FIREINJURY

Suspension

8% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing stabilizer bar and macpherson strut.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-03-20

Safety timeline

9 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

R

1998-05-26Steering98V116000 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.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the lower steering shaft rivets and replace any shafts with uncrimped rivets.

Check if this car was fixed →
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1999Complaint volume 61 complaints filed for this model year.
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1999-01-03Air bags98V303000 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…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the cast tow hooks with forged hooks.

Check if this car was fixed →
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1999-03-27Vehicle speed control99V062001 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…

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2001-03-02Engineering analysisClosed 2003-08-19 Sector shaft fractures
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2001-03-28Tires01V046000 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…

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
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2002-04-05Parking brake02V068000 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.

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2002-08-19Engineering analysisClosed 2003-08-22 Rapid tire deflation
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2005-03-22Engineering analysisClosed 2006-08-02 Engine compartment fires
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2006-06-22Engineering analysisClosed 2007-12-07 Engine stalling
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2006-08-07Vehicle speed control06V286000 On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
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2007-12-29Engine and engine cooling07V553000 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.

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2008-02-07Wheels07E106000 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…

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2009-10-27Vehicle speed control09V399000 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…

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…

Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1999 Ford F-550 SD — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Power train: 26 reports on file for this year.
Wheels: 11 reports on file for this year.
Tires: 10 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 98V116000 · Steering
Recall 98V303000 · Air bags
Recall 99V062001 · Vehicle speed control
Recall 01V046000 · Tires
Recall 02V068000 · Parking brake
Recall 06V286000 · Vehicle speed control
Recall 07V553000 · Engine and engine cooling
Recall 07E106000 · Wheels
Recall 09V399000 · Vehicle speed control

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years1 year

200072

FAQ

Is the 1999 Ford F-550 SD reliable?: Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Ford F-550 SD is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Ford F-550 SD?: The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 43% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1999 Ford F-550 SD have?: 9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.