10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 9
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
100,960 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1999 Ford F-150:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #21

Mar 022006

F-150 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 175,000 miles
I never received a recall notice for Ford recall#99B29. My address has not changed since I purchased the vehicle. My F150 has been using coolant and there are no signs of leaks. Now there is a loud engine tick at startup. All my miles are interstate miles, and the vehicle has been properly maintained and babied since purchase. What is Ford going to do about this factory defect??

- White Bluff, TN, USA

problem #20

Nov 302004

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 81,000 miles
Spark plug pulled out of the motor. The cost was great. It is my understanding that Ford knows of the problem and did not notify the vehicle owners of the issue. It is also my understanding that if the spark plugs had been changed this problem would not have occurred. The plug pulled out at 81,000 miles. The plug changes are recommended at 100,000 miles. This procedure cost me well over $3000. If Ford had notified me, and I had gotten the plugs changed the cost would have been considerably less that $1000. I was informed by the dealer ship that this could have caused a fire. As soon as the noise was heard I shut the truck engine off. This is a very dangerous condition that should be taken care of. I feel that Ford should reimburse all the vehicle owners for the cost of this design issue.

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #19

Apr 012004

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles
1999 Ford Expedition first blew out a spark plug in 2003 due to too few threads in cylinder head. Mechanic was able to repair for around $500. The problem occurred again on another spark plug in 2004 which destroyed the whole engine. I contacted Ford and was told they could do nothing about it. The refurbished jasper engine ended up being around $5400. The old engine was turned in to avoid a core charge. I have all of the paperwork from the mechanic stating the problem.

- Hamilton, OH, USA

problem #18

Apr 042005

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,000 miles
Oil leak from right rear cylinder (passeger side). Oil is leaking from the cylinder head gasket. Vehicle is a 1999 Ford F-150 5.4L windsor, ont, Canada engine. 81,000 miles.

- Wisconsin Rapids, WI, USA

problem #17

Mar 252005

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles
1999 F-150 head gasket leaking on right back side on exhaust and catalytic convert smell and see smoke affraid of fire while driving or parked.

- Sellersburg, IN, USA

problem #16

Mar 182005

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Driver noticed a brownish liquid leaking from underneath the vehicle while parked. Driver took vehicle to the dealer, and mechanic determined that the head gasket blew out, and needed to be replaced.

- Petaluma, CA, USA

problem #15

Feb 042005

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,000 miles
I have a 1999 F150 truck and a 1999 Expedition, both have a 5.4L engine and both have oil leaks on the cylinder head gaskets, they both have about 60,000 miles.

- Maiden, NC, USA

problem #14

Nov 162004

F-150

  • miles
While the vehicle was idling, a fire started in the engine. The fire was put out and the vehicle was towed.

- Cocoa, FL, USA

problem #13

Apr 122004

F-150

  • 85,000 miles
While driving, suddenly the vehicle started shaking. The repair shop performed a diagnostic and indicated that it could be the spark plugs. The spark plugs were replaced, but didn't correct the problem. The butterfly to the fuel injection on the passenger side of the engine motor froze and stopped the flow of the fuel, which caused damage to the fuel injection thus damaging the timing belt, and piston. The entire engine motor fell apart from the inside out per the mechanic.

- Lithia, FL, USA

problem #12

May 042004

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While I was driving 30 miles per hour, my back passenger side spark plug shot out of my head, I have a warranty but the dealership is not sure if they will cover this incident. I have noticed all over the internet that this is a common problem, what is wrong with Ford, how can they make something defective that is so costly to their customers and not recall the item? the dealership is quoting me $3800 to put a new head on the 1999 Ford F150 which I thought was a dependable vehicle. I have driven Ford all of my life and I doubt I will ever buy another one, not to get this kind of treatment.

- Marinette, WI, USA

problem #11

Jan 072004

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,250 miles
My 1999 F-150 5.4 ltr 4WD started making loud ticking noise @ 39,000 miles.took truck to burch Ford from whom I purchased vehicle & they diagnosed ticking noise as a bad cat. Cvrtr!!! they also advised me of leaking head gasket from (R)rear head and a repair cost of $3,200 w/ (12 mo./12, ooo mi.warranty !!! )on repair.when I picked up vehicle & started engine, the same loud ticking noise (only worse) was still there!!! burch Ford & Ford Motor Corp refused to even acknowledge problem or warranty their repair.while trying to get assistance, I drove vehicle bare min and aprox. 300 miles after the "repair",the engine blew # 3 spark plug out of (R) head like like a rocket & massive loss of power which nearly left me in direct path of a loaded semi truck !!!(thought I was going be crushed to death).I had truck towed back to burch Ford & they faxed me a estimate of $3,200. More to replace head (now total is $ 6,400. From the two repairs!!!) and in bold print @ bottom of est. Say's....no warranty!!! vehicle needs new engine & neither the dealership or Ford Motor Corp are willing to ohnor their original repair, or assist in this catastrophic problem that research shows has occuring by the hundreds on 4.6,5.4 & now many V-10 engines from 1996 to 2004........ (8 yrs.)!!! my truck is my pride & joy & with aprox. 39,000 miles on it, my $ $40,000 ride may be a total loss due to current book value & contraversial $$$$$cost of repair!!! this is my 6th Ford vehicle(all of which were paid off in full 1-2yrs.early!!!)in the last 9 yrs.I've been a more than loyal Ford customer, ...but with blatent dissregard for their bread & butter, (loyal Ford customers) Ford seems to be for 8 yrs. Now; grossly and w/O any remorse, far less than a loyal automobile manufacturer !!!...respectfully, ...J.L.

- La Habra, CA, USA

problem #10

Sep 152003

F-150

  • Manual transmission
  • 100,000 miles
6.8 litre V-10 engine and one spark plug from each cylinder head came out. One cyl head had threads destoyed thereby making a replacement nessesary and the other one was suspect. The dealer suggested a rebuilt engine as costs would be very close between repairs and a genuine Ford rebuilt engine and it would come with a warrenty. My complaint is that the plugs came out because the cyl heads were a poor design with only 3/8" threads in an aluminum casting and I shouldn't be paying for poor engineering and designs. There has been an update in 2001 that now has a cyl head with 9/16" threads and plugs to suit. I want Ford to install a new updated engine at their cost.

- Ucluelet, UN, USA

problem #9

Dec 222003

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 117,000 miles
I own a 1999 F150 with a 5.4 liter motor that has a design flaw (also affects that ztec and 4.6L, 5.4L V8 and also their big V10 motors): This is the 2nd time my sparkplug has blown out the top of my engine and almost caused an accident. It happens unexpectedly under normal driving conditions. As I search google, yahoo and other web forms I see 1,000's of others have complained about the same issue and Ford will not fess up. It's so bad that there is even a company that make S a kit to fix the hole where the sparg plug once was to save you from having to buy a new head. If you go to the dealer to fix this and it will cost you $2000-$3000. Ford need to recall this before some one gets hurt or killed due to the unexpected power loss.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #8

Nov 212003

F-150

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,000 miles
While driving the vehicle at 30 mph, there was a loud rattling sound coming from the engine. When the spark plugs were removed from the engine, they were covered with anti freeze. Engine head gaskets were leaking. Ford has a current technical service bulletin concerning this engine problem.

- Levan, UT, USA

problem #7

Apr 052003

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,000 miles
A spark plug blew out of the head on my 1999 Ford F150 5.4L engine approximately 10,00 miles after changing the plugs.

- Colonial Beach, VA, USA

problem #6

Aug 012003

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,950 miles
I have a 1999 svt Ford F150 lightning that recenlty developed the infamous leaky intercooler.there was a customer service/satisfaction campaign issued by Ford that expired September of '02. This problem can cause engine failure.which can increase changes of an accident alot.especially losing power brakes.Ford will not cover the cost of this problem that they know about and won't do anything til a real recall is issued not a half ass consumer satisification campigain for one year.

- Sewell, NJ, USA

problem #5

Jul 282003

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,000 miles
The spark plug in the 3rd cylinder back on the passenger side blew out of the engine causing 1800 dollars damage to the engine. This is not an isolated incident and has happened to several Ford F150 owners. It is the consensus of several mechanics that this failure is related to the design of the cylinder head. There is a potential for fire from this caused buy the unburnt fuel leaving the cylinder and being ignited by the exposed spark plug.

- San Miguel, CA, USA

problem #4

Jun 302003

F-150 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,000 miles
1999 Ford lightning that has a leaking intercooler. Just recently bought vehicle used from Ford dealer in March 2003. Would like recall on intercooler to be re-opened. I did not own the truck at time of original recall, but I would like it to be repaired. They sold me a pre-owned certified vehicle that should have been inspected for this.

- Bladenboro, NC, USA

problem #3

Jun 102003

F-150

  • miles
While driving at 35mph spark plug blew out. Dealer notified.

- Stewartville, MN, USA

problem #2

Nov 012002

F-150

  • 48,000 miles
Head gasket is leaking oil onto exhaust pipe causing it to burn and release smoke into vehicle's interior cabin. Consumer contacted manufacturer, who admitted that head gasket was defective, but will not assist in repairing it because warranty expired. Ts....

- Paradise, UT, USA

Read the next 1 complaints »