1999 Ford F-450 SD Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 1999 F-450 most often describe clutch assembly failures, including clutches that will not disengage, followed by parking brakes that do not hold the truck. Engine stalls tied to camshaft or position sensors and tire sidewall, valve stem, or blowout failures are also recurring themes. Many reports do not record mileage, and the complaint trend for this model year is described as stable.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Clutch assembly failures, including clutch that will not

   • 12 complaints (18%)
   • typically at 1.5 yrs old
   • filed 1999–2002

   Owners describe clutch assembly parts breaking, such as springs, arms, or plates, and the clutch sticking, locking up, or failing to disengage while driving. Some say the failure came without warning, at highway speed, or while downshifting, and some say the truck would not go into gear or the clutch pedal sat close to the floor. Some say dealers could not determine the cause or found nothing wrong, and one notes the replacement parts were on national back order. Mileage is mostly not recorded; one complaint says the same failure recurred on more than one truck about every 15,000 to 16,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether the clutch has been replaced and when, and request the repair records. On a test drive, check that the clutch engages and releases smoothly and that the pedal height and travel feel normal.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The clutch assembly [ powertrain component] failure is the direct result of excess heat build up from a stated inherent component slippage which results in a butterfly effect failure as described by meegan for service manager... Upon my inspection of the components it is evident that excessively high heat occurred as shown by the discoloration of the pressure plate assembly... …”

   NHTSA complaint #757575, filed 2002-01

   “We also have another truck identical to description listed above and have also had a third clutch replaced also. The problem has been the same part breaking every single time. The spring in the clutch plate is breaking and is falling into the transmission causing the drivers great difficult in stopping.”

   NHTSA complaint #714428, filed 1999-11
2. 2
   Brakes

   Parking brake fails to hold the truck

   • 6 complaints (9%)
   • median 43,000 mi at 8.4 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2007

   Owners describe the parking brake failing to hold the truck, which then rolled backward or into another vehicle. Some say a cable snapped, and in one case the brake assembly broke when the brake was released. Some say the problem continued after a dealer adjusted or replaced the parking brake, and one notes that the recall covered only one of two trucks while both parking brakes failed. Mileage is not recorded in these reports, and some describe the brake still failing after a dealer adjustment or replacement.

   Recall 02V068000

   What to check: Ask whether the 02V068000 parking brake recall was performed on this truck by VIN, and check that the parking brake holds the truck on a slope when parked. Ask for records of any parking brake cable or assembly repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When engaging emergency parking brake it failed to hold vehicle, causing vehicle to roll freely backwards. Consumer noted problem was due to a cable which snapped allowing vehicle to roll backwards. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer has made some adjustments to emergency parking brake cable, problem still occurred.”

   NHTSA complaint #892450, filed 2001-07

   “Emergency brake pedal is too hard to apply. Even when applying emergency brake pedal with hard force, vehicle would still roll. Dealer notifed, and replace the emergency brake system, but same problem is still occurring.”

   NHTSA complaint #857070, filed 2000-02
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Stalling linked to camshaft or position sensor

   Mentioned in 4 of 50 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the engine shutting off or cutting out while driving, and in some cases the engine would not restart until the key was turned off and on again. Some say the problem returned after a sensor was replaced, and one says the sensor was replaced five times. One complaint refers to a camshaft sensor recall that the owner took the truck in for, and the diagnoses cited in complaints point to the camshaft or position sensor. Reported at high mileage, between about 88,000 and 130,000 miles.

   Recall 07V553000

   What to check: Ask whether the camshaft position sensor recall (07V553000) was performed by VIN and whether the sensor has been replaced since. Test the engine at idle and while driving at speed to check for stalling or cutting out, and check for stored sensor codes.

   An excerpt from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 1999 Ford f450 super duty. Five years ago, the contact's vehicle would completely shut off while driving 55 MPH. He would turn the key back, which would clear the computer, and the vehicle would restart. The failure worsened to the point where he had to replace the sensor five times. There were no warning lights prior to the failure. In december of 2007, the contact discovered NHTSA campaign id number 07v553000 (engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel). …”

   NHTSA complaint #10221451, filed 2008-03, 108,806 miles
4. 4
   Tires

   Tire sidewall, valve stem, and blowout failures

   • 6 complaints (9%)
   • median 62,642 mi at 5.5 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2006

   Owners describe tire blowouts, bubbles forming on the sidewall, and tread separation, sometimes without warning. Some say a plastic valve stem failed at high pressure, and one fleet operator says it replaced nearly every set within the first 10,000 miles. One owner asked whether 80 psi was too high, and one says the company blamed too little air pressure rather than a materials or workmanship problem. Some reports describe failures within the first 12,000 miles, and one stated figure is about 26,290 miles.

   Recall 01V046000

   What to check: Check the tire sidewalls for bubbles or cracks and ask for records of tire replacements and the pressures used. Confirm the valve stems are metal and that the inflation pressure matches the placard on the driver door.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have had two blowouts in 12000 miles. The vehicle has not been overloaded, it has been weighed on a cat scale.I have contacted firestone dealers. The first said to bad, the most recient dealer replaced the tire.I have e-mailed firestone and sent them a letter asking for weight to PSI data to determine if my current 80 lbs PSI is overinflated. Tat is the max PSI listed on the tire. I have not had a reply. ( DOT number: tire size: lt22575r16 )”

   NHTSA complaint #727968, filed 2000-08

   “Mcs has purchased 5 1999 Ford f450 & f550 cab & chassis trucks between 4 september 1998 and 16 jun 1999. All of these trucks had general tires mounted as standard equipment. Thus far we have replaced all but one set in the first ten thousand miles of usage due to excessive failure from blow-outs. These tires are not able to hold-up under the rated weight of these trucks. We have experienced 100% sidewall failure during operation both here in colorado and in the desert southwest of california. …”

   NHTSA complaint #714273, filed 1999-11

Buying note. Reports for this model year mostly concern clutch failures and parking brakes that do not hold, so ask for clutch and parking brake repair records and test both on a test drive. Ask whether the parking brake, camshaft sensor, and valve stem recalls were completed, since those parts appear in the complaints and recall listings.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 50 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.