1999 Ford F-550 SD

◆ Worse than typical
1999 Ford F-550 SD
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:03:18.891Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford F-550 SD Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1999 highlighted. 1993: 0 complaints 1993 1994: 0 complaints 1995: 0 complaints 1996: 0 complaints 1997: 2 complaints 1998: 0 complaints 1998 1999: 61 complaints 1999 2000: 72 complaints 2001: 29 complaints 2002: 22 complaints 2003: 33 complaints 2003 2004: 49 complaints 2005: 32 complaints 2006: 44 complaints 2007: 23 complaints 2008: 26 complaints 2008 2009: 1 complaints 2010: 1 complaints 2011: 3 complaints 2012: 6 complaints 2013: 2 complaints 2013 2014: 9 complaints 2015: 11 complaints 2016: 3 complaints 2017: 2 complaints 2018: 0 complaints 2018 2019: 4 complaints 2020: 4 complaints 2021: 11 complaints 2022: 9 complaints 2023: 1 complaints 2023 2024: 2 complaints 2025: 1 complaints 2026: 1 complaints 2026
1999: 61 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19930
19940
19950
19960
19972
19980
199961
200072
200129
200222
200333
200449
200532
200644
200723
200826
20091
20101
20113
20126
20132
20149
201511
20163
20172
20180
20194
20204
202111
20229
20231
20242
20251
20261

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 21%

21% of complaints: power train — 13 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
WHEELS 16%

16% of complaints: wheels — 10 distinct reports on file.

TIRES 10%

10% of complaints: tires — 6 distinct reports on file.

TIRES 7%

7% of complaints: tires — 4 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7%

7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 4 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19980526 — steering

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.

Campaign 98V116000 — check if this car was fixed

1999 — complaint volume: 61
R 19990103 — air bags

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 M

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

Campaign 98V303000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19990327 — vehicle speed control

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

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 CA

Campaign 99V062001 — check if this car was fixed

I 20010302 — EA (closed 20030819)

SECTOR SHAFT FRACTURES

R 20010328 — tires

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 SID

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

Campaign 01V046000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20020405 — parking brake

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 VEHICLES

Campaign 02V068000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20020819 — EA (closed 20030822)

RAPID TIRE DEFLATION

I 20050322 — EA (closed 20060802)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 20060622 — EA (closed 20071207)

ENGINE STALLING

R 20060807 — vehicle speed control

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 05

Campaign 06V286000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20071229 — engine and engine cooling

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.

Campaign 07V553000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20080207 — wheels

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

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.

Campaign 07E106000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20091027 — vehicle speed control

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

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 CO

Campaign 09V399000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1999 Ford F-550 SD — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (13 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for wheels issues (10 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for tires issues (6 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 98V116000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V303000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V062001 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V046000 (tires) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V068000 (parking brake) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06V286000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07V553000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E106000 (wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V399000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2005 ▲ 2003 ● 2006

WORST YEARS

◆ 2000 ● 2004 ● 2006

See all years ranked →

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:clutch assembly, accounting for 21% 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 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.