FaultScore

1999 Ford F-150 airbag problems

75 of the 1,323 complaints about the 1999 Ford F-150 are about the airbag system — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 96,900 miles.

F

75

Complaints

58

Crashes

3

Fires

39

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Frontal 55 73.3%
AIR Bags 14 18.7%
Sensor/Control Module 3 4.0%
On-Off Switch Assembly 2 2.7%
Inflator Module 1 1.3%

Airbags across every Ford F-150 year

1994 101 8.5%
1995 37 3.1%
1996 24 2.0%
1997 100 8.4%
1998 42 3.5%
1999 75 6.3%
2000 70 5.9%
2001 67 5.6%
2002 37 3.1%
2003 29 2.4%
2004 84 7.0%
2005 106 8.9%
2006 49 4.1%
2007 27 2.3%
2008 28 2.3%
2009 12 1.0%
2010 19 1.6%
2011 16 1.3%
2012 38 3.2%
2013 39 3.3%
2014 31 2.6%
2015 34 2.9%
2016 34 2.9%
2017 22 1.8%
2018 37 3.1%
2019 24 2.0%
2020 10 0.8%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 137,000 miles Chesterfield, VA Crash

AIR BAGS

WENT TO STOP AT LIGHT HAD NO BRAKES WITH NO WARNING. I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME IN THE REAR THIS ALSO CAUSED A DELAYED RELEASE OF THE AIR BAGS. THIS APPEARS TO BE PROBLEM GOING BACK YEARS THAT FORD OR THE GOVERNMENT WONT DO ANYTHING ABOUT.

NHTSA complaint #10730602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Greenville, SC Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD F-150. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO AVOID HITTING A DEER, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED OFF THE SIDE OF A 20 FOOT HIGH BRIDGE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A MINOR HEAD INJURY AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #10629442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 173,000 miles Catskill, NY Crash

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO ICY ROAD CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE THEN CRASHED INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WITH THE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10556327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 167,000 miles Pryor, MT Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 TO 60 MPH ON ICY ROAD CONDITIONS AND CRASHED INTO A HERD OF CATTLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE VISIBLE PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE CONTACT AND THE PASSENGER RECEIVED MINOR ABRASIONS AND BRUISES. THE POLICE WERE CALLED, BUT DID NOT ARRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED, BUT HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 167,000. UPDATED 03/29/11 *BF UPDATED 05/06/11

NHTSA complaint #10382720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 72,000 miles Georgetown, KY Crash Fire 2 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE SEAT BELTED INTO THE PASSENGER SEAT OF A FORD F150 MY SON WAS EJECTED IN A FRONT IMPACT AND ROLL OVER ACCIDENT. THE SEAT BROKE LOOSE FROM THE TRUCK FLOOR DURING THE IMPACT ALLOWING HIM TO COME OUT OF THE SEAT BELT AND BE EJECTED OUT ONTO THE ROADWAY CAUSING SEVERE INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #10286515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Michigan City, IN Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED SORENESS AND THE PASSENGER HAD TO HAVE A STAPLE PLACED IN HIS HEAD AS A RESULT OF NOT BEING PROTECTED BY THE SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AFTER THE CRASH. THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER ASSISTANCE AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #10251107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Georgetown, KY Crash Fire 2 injured

AIR BAGS

IN A 45 MILE AN HOUR ROLL OVER IN A FORD F150 MY SON AS A PASSENGER WEARING HIS SEAT BELT WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING GREAT BODILY HARM. THE SEAT ASSEMBLY BROKE LOOSE FROM THE FLOOR FRAME, SEAT BELT BROKE AND HE WAS ALONG WITH THE DRIVER EJECTED THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR WHICH OPENED DURING THE ROLL OVER. AFTER EJECTION OF THE PASSENGERS THE TRUCK TRAVELED OVER A SMALL BANK INTO A STREAM BED AND EXPLODED INTO FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10215991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 172,000 miles Santa FE, TX 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD F150. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR AN IMPACT. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE REARVIEW MIRROR SHATTERED AND CUT THE DRIVER'S HAND. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,759. THE CONSUMER STATED HAS INCLUDED THE CHEAPEST ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS AND MULTIPLE PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 11/14/07

NHTSA complaint #10205344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 96,900 miles Indianapolis, IN

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

I FIRST NOTICED THAT MY AIR BAG DASH LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING. I DECIDED THAT IT SHOULD BE REPAIRED IN THAT I DO TRAVEL QUITE A BIT FOR WORK ON HEAVILY TRAVELED HIGHWAYS HERE IN INDIANA. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BUTLER FORD HERE CLOSE TO MY RESIDENCE AND ASK THAT THE WARNING LIGHT ON BE REPAIRED ALONG WITH A FORD RECALL #05S28 AND A WINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEM. WHEN I RETURNED FOR THE VEHICLE THE WARNING LIGHT WAS STILL BLINKING BUT THE OTHER TWO ITEMS HAD BEEN TAKEN CARE OF. I WAS HANDED A BILL FOR 126 DOLLARS AND THE FLASHING LIGHT WAS NOT FIXED. THE REPAIR BILL STATED "PASS SIDE AIR BAG SWITCH SHORTED. NO FURTHER ACTION WAS TAKEN TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10202551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 64,500 miles Xenia, OH

AIR BAGS:ON-OFF SWITCH ASSEMBLY

I PURCHASED A 1999 FORD F150 FROM KINGS AUTO MALL NEAR CINCINNATI. THE TRUCKS AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON AND I DID NOT KNOW WHAT THIS MEANT UNTIL AFTER I PURCHASED THE TRUCK. I HAD IT IN THE DEALERS SHOP TO FIX THE A/C AND HAVE OTHER ITEMS LOOKED AT. THEY STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY AIR BAG SWITCH. THIS IS THE SWITCH THAT TURNS OFF THE AIR BAG WHEN SMALL CHILDREN ARE RIDING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE DEALERSHIP HAD PLACED A STICKER ON THE PASSENGER WINDOW STATING THAT THE TRUCK HAD BEEN SAFETY CHECKED. BUT YET I PURCHASED A TRUCK THAT COULD HAVE KILLED MY 4 YEAR OLD IF THE AIR BAG HAD WENT OFF. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY WILL ONLY PAY FOR HALF OF THE REPAIR FOR FIXING THE SWITCH. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THEY COULD HAVE SOLD ME A TRUCK THAT HAD THIS MAJOR ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10165104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 137,000 miles Lynchburg, VA

AIR BAGS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S ABS AND AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO PICTURES OF THE INCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10160797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Burlington, CT

AIR BAGS

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 05V388000 CONCERNING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL. THE PARTS NEEDED FOR RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. HE SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO CONFIRMED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. *AK UPDATED 12/27/2005. THE TIRES HAD EXCESSIVE WEAR AT 20000 MILES. THE SEAT BELT ROLLER HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE AIR BAG CONTROL WAS REPLACED. BOTH DOORS HAD STRESS FRACTURES. THE REAR BRAKE LINES WERE NOT SECURED PROPERLY WHICH RESULTED IN WEAR . THE WHEEL HUBS CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE DRIVER SIDE EXTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR WAS DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10143469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,000 miles Arbor Vitae, WI

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH DRIVER'S AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *AK DEALER AND COLLISION CENTER STATE THAT SENSOR SHOWS DEPLOYMENT WAS CAUSED BY AN ACCIDENT, BUT VEHICLE WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10111791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alpena, MI Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AT 45 MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED BY OWNER.*AK MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FUNCTIONED PROPERLY.

NHTSA complaint #10109400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Butler, TN Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A DEER. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A BODY SHOP.

NHTSA complaint #10076186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Farmerville, LA Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING IN THE WRONG LANE HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE BODY SHOP.

NHTSA complaint #10068608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sheridan, WY Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED THROAT AND HIP INJURIES WHEN HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL. ALSO, PASSENGER'S HEAD HIT THE DASHBOARD AND SUSTAINED A KNOT.

NHTSA complaint #10055604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 33,298 miles Coos BAY, OR

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT, COMES ON/STAYS ON/THEN SOMETIMES GOES OFF. FORD DEALER SAYS AIRBAG WILL PROBABLY NOT WORK IN CRASH / NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. CHECKED BY TOWER FORD TWICE IN ONE WEEK. RESET LIGHT=$52.00, SECOND TIME FORD DEALER WANTS TO REPLACE AIR BAG MODULE @ $195.00. ONLY 33,298 MILES. SAFETY ITEM SHOULD BE REPAIRED /" BUILT FORD TOUGH"!

NHTSA complaint #10042995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 33,298 miles Coos BAY, OR

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT, COMES ON/STAYS ON/THEN SOMETIMES GOES OFF. FORD DEALER SAYS AIRBAG WILL PROBABLY NOT WORK IN CRASH / NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. CHECKED BY TOWER FORD TWICE IN ONE WEEK. RESET LIGHT=$52.00, SECOND TIME FORD DEALER WANTS TO REPLACE AIR BAG MODULE @ $195.00. ONLY 33,298 MILES. SAFETY ITEM SHOULD BE REPAIRED /" BUILT FORD TOUGH"!

NHTSA complaint #10042995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dallas, TX

AIR BAGS

AFTER A MINOR BUMP WAS HIT IN THE ROAD AT 10 MPH, THE FRONT AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO PULL OVER.

NHTSA complaint #10019604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Monument, CO Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS FAILED TO ACTIVATE DURING A 45 TO 50 MPH FRONT END IMPACT. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10013841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mainville, OH Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 30 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CROSSED HIS PATH AND CONSUMER SLAMMED INTO THE REAR. CONSUMER STATES THAT NONE OF THE VEHICLES AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8019706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oakland, CA 1 injured

AIR BAGS

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #766174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LAS Vegas, NV Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

FRONT CRASH AT 45 MPH,AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. MINOR INJURIES TO DRIVER, DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA complaint #8014893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chicago, IL Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH, CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN FRONTAL COLLISON AND DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, BUT DRIVER STILL HIT WINDSHIELD.*AK

NHTSA complaint #8013534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Broken Arrow, OK Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 50 OR 60 MPH HIT A RETAINER WALL HEA-ON AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. FRONTAL IMPACT. PLEASE ADD VIN.

NHTSA complaint #8010122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cape Coral, FL Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THIS CRASH CRUSHED THE BUMPER,GRILL RADIATOR, CROSS SUPPORTS AND THE 2 FENDERS. AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #760376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dubois, ID

AIR BAGS

AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN IMPACT, WHILE MOVING IN VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #755925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Diego, CA Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH WHEN IT HIT A CEMENT BARRIER TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING THIS INCIDENT. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED TO DETERMINE A REASON FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.

NHTSA complaint #899701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Raliegh, NC Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE TRAVELING 35MPH VEHICLE WAS HIT ON SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND SPUN AROUND, HITTING A TREE HEAD-ON BY PASSENGER'S SIDE. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. HAD 1 INJURY AND EMERGENCY ROOM TREATMENT.

NHTSA complaint #887200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1999 Ford F-150 problems

← Full 1999 Ford F-150 report