1999 Ford F-150 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 219about this part
- Share
- 21%of 1,044 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,250miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 219 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1999 Ford F-150, 21% of the 1,044 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,250 miles. 10 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“The number 3 spark plug blew out of my 1999 f150 while pulling away from a stop light. The aluminum head has only 4 threads holding the plug in place, clearly a design defect. I had both heads removed and had all eight holes repaired...total cost was about $3,000. There was 80,000 miles on the truck at the time. Ford should stand behind their product!”
NHTSA complaint #10259884, filed 2009-02, 80,000 miles“My 1999 Ford f150 was sitting in the driveway next to the house. Apparently it spontaneously combusted. It is now a burned-out shell of a truck. Fortunately, my wife was working from home and called the fire dept so the house did not suffer much damage. I did lose a few thousand $ worth of tools in the truck.”
NHTSA complaint #10326653, filed 2010-04, 139,000 miles“Went outside to start my truck 1999 Ford F-150 5.4l. As soon as I started the truck I heard a loud banging, shut the truck off, open the hood, and a spark plug had blown out the head ripping all the threads out and breaking the coil. So now my $14000 truck is useless. My only options include $3000 for new heads or a heli coil kit which will eventually allow the same problem or worse to occur.”
NHTSA complaint #10261090, filed 2009-03, 140,000 miles“After driving the vehicle approximately 10-12 miles, I parked it in the driveway. About fifteen minutes later my wife and I smelled smoke. When I investigated, I found engine compartment of the truck in flames. The fire appeared to have started on the driver's side of the engine compartment above the front wheel. Fire company was required to extinguish the flames. Everything forward ofthe firewall was destroyed.”
NHTSA complaint #10328739, filed 2010-05, 30,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10172885Feb 7, 2020This SKU is an Oil Dipstick. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the dipstick tube. The dipstick tube inner diameter may be small enough…
- 10026389May 16, 2008Ford: certain 1999-2001 model year vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in new york and certain 2001 vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in the state of maine, certified for…
- 10024865Apr 1, 20081999-2008 7.3l/6.0l/6.4l/4.5l diesel f-super duty - clean the charge air cooler (cac) system after certain turbo or engine failures - service tip.
- 10023943Oct 1, 2007Some 1997-2008 vehicles equipped with a 4.6l 2v, 5.4l 2v, or 6.8l 2v engine--spark plug thread repair procedure--not covered under new vehicle limited warranty. *nj this includes…
- 10018745Nov 14, 2005Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running.
- 10014685Mar 21, 2005Use of stainless steel exhaust studs in service for 5.4l 2v engine.
- 10014666Mar 7, 2005Intermittent rough idle - non-commanded egr (exhaust gas recirculation valve) flow.
- 10011162Aug 23, 2004Engine misfire or running - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - wds cop kit diagnostic tips. To include various 2005 models. * ar this article 04161 supersedes tsb 03-14-04.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 4 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 0% |
| 2022 | 3 | 1% |
| 2021 | 19 | 2% |
| 2020 | 11 | 1% |
| 2019 | 62 | 5% |
| 2018 | 88 | 4% |
| 2017 | 70 | 5% |
| 2016 | 30 | 1% |
| 2015 | 25 | 1% |
| 2014 | 10 | 1% |
| 2013 | 20 | 1% |
| 2012 | 17 | 1% |
| 2011 | 33 | 2% |
| 2010 | 31 | 4% |
| 2009 | 10 | 3% |
| 2008 | 22 | 6% |
| 2007 | 41 | 8% |
| 2006 | 77 | 13% |
| 2005 | 111 | 10% |
| 2004 | 167 | 8% |
| 2003 | 69 | 16% |
| 2002 | 196 | 24% |
| 2001 | 234 | 19% |
| 2000 | 135 | 13% |
| 1999 | 219 | 21% |
| 1998 | 174 | 13% |
| 1997 | 529 | 19% |
| 1996 | 23 | 7% |
| 1995 | 71 | 11% |
| 1994 | 52 | 8% |
| 1993 | 52 | 9% |
| 1992 | 37 | 8% |
| 1991 | 17 | 6% |
| 1990 | 21 | 8% |
| 1989 | 13 | 6% |
| 1988 | 11 | 8% |
| 1987 | 9 | 10% |
| 1986 | 9 | 15% |
| 1985 | 4 | 14% |
| 1984 | 2 | 13% |
| 1983 | 3 | 30% |
Other parts of the 1999 Ford F-150
132 complaintsBrakes
107 complaintsBody and structure
95 complaintsElectrical system
85 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
83 complaintsVehicle speed control
79 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
75 complaintsAir bags
69 complaintsTires
52 complaintsSteering
50 complaintsSuspension
43 complaintsEngine
27 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Ford F-150
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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