1999 Ford F-150 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe engine problems, especially spark plugs blowing out of the cylinder head on 5.4L V8 trucks, and corroded fuel tank straps that let the tank hang or drop. Many reports come in at higher mileage, commonly past 100,000 miles, and the fuel tank strap complaints cluster around rust in states that use road salt.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Fuel tank straps rust through and tank drops

   Mentioned in 18 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe one or both fuel tank straps rusting through so the tank hangs, drags on the ground or drops while driving, sometimes with fuel leaking or a gasoline smell. Several complaints mention rust on the tank itself, and some say the dealer declined to replace the tank or straps, or would only do the work if the tank was replaced first. Most often reported on trucks past 100,000 miles, and typically in areas where road salt is used.

   Recall 11V3850004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Look underneath at the tank straps and the tank seams for rust and flaking metal; ask whether recall 11V385000 was performed and whether the tank itself was replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1999 Ford f150 4wheel drive the front gas tank strap became detached from the mount . The strap dragged the ground . I am happy it did not cause any other damage. The strap mount is totally rusted through and I do not know how or if it can be repaired. The truck only has 93k miles on it.”

   NHTSA complaint #10359175, filed 2010-10, 91,234 miles

   “Ref: pe10036 this submission has been provided to indicate an additional occurrence of the problem described in NHTSA action number pe10036: on or about august 6, 2010, the rear fuel tank strap on my 1999 f150 broke. As a result, the rear of the tank dropped about 8-12 inches. The tank did not hit the ground and did not spill fuel. It remained suspended by the front strap. Over that weekend, I noted that the fuel level seemed to drop suddenly, however I did not investigate why. I filled the tank on that day. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10355691, filed 2010-09, 112,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Spark plug blows out of cylinder head

   • 124 complaints (12%)
   • median 103,500 mi at 7.5 yrs old (112 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,674 (median of 30 quotes)
   • filed 2002–2018

   Owners describe a loud bang or popping from the engine bay, followed by a misfire, ticking or knocking noise and a loss of power. Inspecting the engine shows a spark plug sitting loose on the valve cover or ejected from the head, with the threads in the cylinder head damaged. Complaints say mechanics repaired the threads with an insert kit or recommended a replacement head, and several owners note it happened more than once. Mostly reported between roughly 85,000 and 200,000 miles, often while driving or starting the truck.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether any spark plugs have blown out and whether thread inserts were installed; listen for a ticking or knocking noise at idle and on acceleration, and have a mechanic check plug torque and thread condition.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I noticed a ticking noise which sounded like an exhaust manifold leak for the past few days and just today I was taking off from a stop sign when the spark plug blew out of the head creating a loud knocking/ticking noise. I have not had it fixed yet, but from what I understand this can create engine fires which can be a major safety hazard.”

   NHTSA complaint #10348852, filed 2010-08, 125,000 miles

   “I purchased my 1999 Ford F-150 4x 4 with a triton 5.4 v-8 engine used. The engine had approximately 140,000 when I purchased it. I only drive it to and from work in las vegas, nv (approximately 25 miles round trip) at speeds below 50 MPH. The engine blew the back plug at 163,000. Because it was the back plug the labor to repair was high (pull the engine). …”

   NHTSA complaint #10411471, filed 2011-07, 25,000 miles
3. 3
   Vehicle speed control

   Speed control and unintended acceleration reports

   • 67 complaints (6%)
   • median 81,000 mi at 7.1 yrs old (31 state mileage)
   • 29 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2023

   Complaints describe the cruise control failing to engage, cutting out on downgrades, or the truck accelerating on its own after being started or parked. Some owners mention smoke or fire at the speed control switch or wiring near the master cylinder, and one report describes the vehicle moving while parked with the driver outside. Reported across a wide mileage range, from near-new to over 150,000 miles, sometimes while parked.

   Recall 05V388000Recall 98V192000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 05V388000 (speed control deactivation switch) was completed and check the switch and connector near the master cylinder for scorching or brake fluid residue; test the cruise control on a quiet road.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 1998 Ford F-150 xlt truck was sitting in my driveway for 12 hrs. When a fire started under the hood on the driver's side near the mastercylinder. The fire dept. Was notified immediately and on site within 10 minutes. The truck is totalled by fire. I have just paid it off 2 months ago, and was planning to keep it for at least 8 more years. There was damage to my homne from the fire, and the inside of my home is still getting damaged by plastic sooty mess. I drove my truck from louisiana to west virginia the prior week. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10128281, filed 2005-07, 76,530 miles

   “The truck was started, when put in drive, the truck went into full acceleration. Brakes were applied, but were not effective. Truck was still accelerating. Then turned off the key, to stop engine. The engine did not stop running for a few minutes. This was a terrifing experience. If it would have happened in town, or on a busy highway, yes somebody probably would have been killed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10003100, filed 2003-01, 92,000 miles
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Door cracks and body rust

   • 72 complaints (7%)
   • median 81,000 mi at 6.0 yrs old (25 state mileage)
   • filed 1999–2017

   Owners report cracks developing on the rear upright of the doors next to the exterior handle, and rust-through on body and underbody parts. Some complaints note severely rusted frame and strap mounts, especially on trucks used in salt-belt states. Reported mostly on trucks over 85,000 miles, with rust commonly tied to road salt exposure.

   What to check: Open and close both doors and look at the metal around the handles and door edges for cracks or bubbling paint; inspect the frame rails and wheel arches for rust.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 1999 Ford F-150. The contact stated while refueling the vehicle, fuel emitted from the fuel tank. The contact also stated the under carriage was corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and the VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileage was 223,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10434190, filed 2011-11, 223,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 1999 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the front driver side rim fractured due to rust. The contact stated he tried to clean the rims, as the salt from the roads caused the rust. Later the contact noticed that the rear driver side tire was also completely rusted. The contact replaced all of the rims and tires on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 168,000 and the current mileage was 170,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10471258, filed 2012-08, 168,000 miles
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Instrument cluster and electrical faults

   • 41 complaints (4%)
   • median 86,000 mi at 6.8 yrs old (31 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2016

   Complaints describe the digital odometer blanking or scrambling, the anti-theft light flashing and the electrical system cutting out while driving, and water from a leaking windshield reaching the module and fuse box, which owners link to accessories turning on by themselves. Dealers reportedly quoted replacement of the instrument cluster. Reported from about 60,000 to 160,000 miles, sometimes after water intrusion or in wet conditions.

   What to check: Check that the odometer display is steady and all warning lights behave normally, look for water stains or damp carpet under the dash near the windshield, and ask whether the instrument cluster or windshield seals have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have had a new transmission and motor,5 speed 4.2l v-6,put in at 55,000 miles. Now at 73,000 miles it has a miss when you accelerate or go up a hill. Dealer told me to replace the plugs and wires so I did. It still does it and now they are tailing me to replace the coil pack, any suggestions?”

   NHTSA complaint #10032529, filed 2003-08, 63,000 miles

   “- the contact owes a 1999 f150 Ford pickup. The contact stated that on march 14,2007 while driving in sunny conditions, and while stopping at a traffic signal the anti-theft light flashe. , after that all equipment on the vehicle turned off. He was able to drive to the shoulder to stop the vehicle, unpluged the battery, and restarted the vehicle. This same event occurred repeatedly since the first incident. The failure mileage was 156,200 and the current mileage was 156,909.”

   NHTSA complaint #10186603, filed 2007-03, 156,200 miles

Buying note. Have a mechanic check cylinder head spark plug threads and the fuel tank straps and tank rust before buying, and confirm which open recalls have actually been completed. A pre-purchase inspection on a lift is worth it on these trucks given how much of the reported trouble is rust-related and underneath.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.