1999 Ford E-150 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 20%of 83 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the steering of the 1999 Ford E-150, 20% of the 83 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The steering linkage fell off my 1999 Ford e150 van nearly causing a severe accident. My wife was driving the van. My four children with her. She lost control of the van after the linkage fell off. She barely had time to stop before going through a fence. I am an engineer. It would seem that steering linkage would be comprised of components with an insignificant risk of failure. We do not trust the van anymore. It is hard to imagine what might have happened to my family if they were on the freeway when the linkage fell off.”
NHTSA complaint #10020668, filed 2003-05, 72,161 miles“Major shaking in the front end of the vehicle and steering control greatly reduced. This problem has been on going, and the dealer keeps telling me it is normal. If this is normal, than these vehicles need to be removed from the highways before death occurs.”
NHTSA complaint #10153968, filed 2006-03, 99,200 miles“The 3 mounting bolts attaching the steering box to the frame broke/sheared off as the vehicle was being parked in the driveway. 1999 Ford e150 van. A loud popping noise or bang was heard and total loss of steering was the result of the steering box dangling from the frame. The vehicle was being repositioned on a flat driveway, no incline at all. No injuries resulted , but if the failure had occurred during operation, steering would have been inoperable leading to an accident which easily could have LED to serious injury to the driver, passengers, and other vehicles and their occupants.”
NHTSA complaint #10397225, filed 2011-04, 141,537 miles“Vehicle veered off the road and into a tree. The air bags did not deploy during the accident. Nhtsa did some testing but could not pin point the problem. A recall was initiated which the consumer received august 24, 2003, 30 days prior to the accident. Since the vehicle was to be out of service for approximately two weeks the consumer was in the process of rearranging his schedule to comply when the failure occurred. Five days after the consumer purchased the vehicle the brake unit failed. The manufacturer replaced the unit after some installer/manufacturer disagreements. …”
NHTSA complaint #10068580, filed 2004-04, 48,000 miles“While turning into a parking space the bolts to the steering box sheared off with complete loss of steering. Further inspection showed severe cracking and loss of metal in the steering box area. After doing some searches I found that this is common issue in the E series vans. I did do a recall search and a CSA search to see about having this problem resolved safely by a certified shop. Unfortunately I haven't found any recall information on what is obviously a serious safety issue. Apparently the bolts shear off at low speeds while turning. …”
NHTSA complaint #11448477, filed 2022-01Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 2 | 25% |
| 2014 | 1 | 17% |
| 2013 | 1 | 5% |
| 2012 | 1 | 8% |
| 2011 | 5 | 22% |
| 2010 | 2 | 20% |
| 2005 | 1 | 6% |
| 2003 | 2 | 10% |
| 2002 | 3 | 11% |
| 2001 | 3 | 8% |
| 2000 | 2 | 4% |
| 1999 | 17 | 20% |
| 1998 | 4 | 7% |
| 1997 | 6 | 6% |
| 1996 | 4 | 7% |
| 1995 | 5 | 7% |
| 1994 | 20 | 17% |
| 1993 | 10 | 14% |
| 1992 | 3 | 5% |
| 1990 | 1 | 6% |
| 1989 | 1 | 3% |
| 1988 | 1 | 7% |
| 1987 | 1 | 6% |
| 1986 | 1 | 11% |
Other parts of the 1999 Ford E-150
20 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Ford E-150
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology