1999 Ford F-350 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

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 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: 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: 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.

Problem: Vehicle description: super duty single rear wheel pickup trucks. The parking brake system, when engaged with a force of 125 pounds applied to the park brake foot control, may not hold the vehicles on a 20 degree grade. This does not comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 105, "hydraulic brake systems."

Risk: This could allow a vehicle to roll on an incline, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.

Fix: Dealers will burnish the parking brake using a specified procedure.

Problem: Vehicle description: supercab pickup trucks. The positive battery cable is taped to the negative cable which contains a clip to secure the assembly to the side frame rail. If incorrectly positioned, the positive battery cable can contact the air conditioning compressor pulley.

Risk: If the cable wears, a complete electrical system failure can occur and potential sparking and/or ignition of flammable material.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and/or modify the battery cable clips to ensure that they are properly located.

Problem: Vehicle description: supercab pickup trucks with dual rear wheel, and wide frame. The jacks provided with these vehicles are too large to be stowed securely under the seat as intended and were placed loose on the floor in the rear of the cab.

Risk: The jacks can move about the passenger compartment creating the potential for personal injury during a crash or sudden stop.

Fix: Dealers will replace these jacks.