1999 Ford F-250 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Problem: Ford is recalling certain 1997 through 2003 model year ford f-150, 2004 model year ford f-150 heritage, 1997 through 1999 model year f-250 less than 8,500 lbs. Gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr), and 2002 and 2003 lincoln blackwood vehicles manufactured from june 20, 1995, through august 4, 2004, originally sold, or currently registered in, connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia. Prolonged exposure to road deicing chemicals may cause severe corrosion of the fuel tank straps which secure the tank to the vehicle.

Risk: As a result of the corrosion, one or both straps may fail allowing the fuel lines to separate from the tank, or in some cases, causing the tank to contact the ground. Either scenario may result in a fuel leak presenting a fire hazard.

Fix: Ford will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicles to a ford or lincoln dealer to have the fuel tank straps replaced with straps that have increased corrosion protection. Early in this campaign, if replacement straps are not available, dealers may install a cable support under the strap as an interim repair or a steel reinforcement over the existing strap as a permanent repair. Any repairs will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on september 16, 2011. Owners may contact ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 11s21

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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)

Problem: On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn.

Risk: A fire at the switch could occur.

Fix: By letter dated september 12, 2005, owners were instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected. Owners who have had their speed control deactivated are being notified that parts will be available and advised to make an appointment to reconnect the speed control beginning in february 2006. Owners who did not have their speed control deactivated are being notified to have their system remedied beginning in february 2006. Owners are urged to avail themselves of the free disconnect service as soon as possible because of the significant risk of fire. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. (note: also see recalls 05v017 and 06v286)

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Problem: Vehicle description: bi-fuel cng pickup trucks and bi-fuel cng vans, modified by cfi control systems, inc., fail to conform to the requirements of fmvss no. 303, "fuel system integrity of compressed natural gas vehicles." the label affixed to the fuel filler door by the vehicle modifier contains the inspection date and expiration date of the cng tank. However, it does not contain the statement "see instructions on the fuel container for inspection and service life."

Risk: These vehicles do not comply with the requirements.

Fix: Owners will be provided a label with the required statement, along with instructions for affixing the label at the fuel filler door. Owner notification began november 2, 2000. 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.

Problem: Vehicle description: pickup trucks equipped with gasoline engines and 8 foot boxes, may not fully satisfy the requirements of fmvss no. 301, "fuel system integrity." in a 30 mph frontal barrier crash test, a fuel tank vapor recovery valve separated internally. During the subsequent static rollover test, fuel spillage exceeded the specified rate.

Risk: Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

Fix: Dealers will install a stop plate assembly on the vehicle frame to prevent recovery valve contact with a frame crossmember during the impact sequence.

Problem: Vehicle description: gasoline and diesel engine pickup trucks equipped with 8 foot beds, do not fully satisfy the requirements of fmvss no. 301, "fuel system integrity." the fuel tank front strap isolator may not be properly positioned which could result in the strap cutting the tank during a 30 mph front barrier test, resulting in fuel spillage.

Risk: During the subsequent static rollover test, fuel spillage exceeded the specified rate, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will reposition the front strap isolator.

Problem: Vehicle description: gasoline and diesel engine pickup trucks equipped with 6" and 8" beds manufactured from january 5, 1998 through march 21, 1999, do not not fully satisfy the post crash test static rollover requirements of fmvss no. 301, "fuel system integrity." six attachment bolts (m12 bolts) may have been damaged during the 30 mph front barrier test allowing the bolts to shift or become detached, resulting in fuel spillage.

Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.

Fix: Dealers will augment the box-to-chassis attachment by installing box-to-chassis retaining cables.

Problem: Vehicle description: pickup trucks equipped with 6" beds manufactured from january 5, 1998 through june 4, 1999, do not not fully satisfy the post crash test static rollover requirements of fmvss no. 301, "fuel system integrity." contact between the fuel tank and a fuel tank locator bracket during a front barrier impact test resulted in a cut in the tank, resulting in fuel leakage.

Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel tank locator bracket with a similar bracket whose design has been revised to incorporate more rounded surfaces where contact with the tank occurs.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Problem: 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.

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

Problem: Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. A speed control cable may not have fully seated into the accelerator bracket at time of installation. If the cable is not fully seated into this bracket, the cable could separate from the bracket.

Risk: A loose cable can result in the throttle not fully returning to idle and cause an increase in stopping distance.

Fix: Dealers will add a retaining clip to the speed control cable fitting at the accelerator bracket.

Problem: Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. The fuel pressure regulator o-ring may have been damaged when the fuel pressure regulator was installed in the engine fuel rail. If the o-ring is damaged, fuel vapor or leakage could occur.

Risk: If an ignition source is present, a fire could result.

Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pressure regulator.

Problem: 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.

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