Owners have filed 92 complaints
about the 1999 Ford F-550 SD with NHTSA between 1999 and 2018.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 14 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 100
Against the median year of the Ford F-550 SD. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
21.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 75
44% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Clutch Assembly
1331.7%
Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
1024.4%
Valve
49.8%
Engine
49.8%
Stabilizer BAR
37.3%
Automatic Transmission
37.3%
Tank Assembly
24.9%
Shaft Sector
24.9%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
720.6%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
1029.4%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
720.6%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
411.8%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
38.8%
150,000+ miles
38.8%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 1999peak 7Jan 2018
NHTSA investigations into the 1999 Ford F-550 SD
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA06012Opened 22 Jun 2006Closed 7 Dec 2007ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
ENGINE STALLING
IN A DECEMBER 3, 2007 LETTER, FORD ADVISED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO REPLACE THE CAM POSITION SENSOR (CPS) IN APPROXIMATELY 1.2 MILLION SUBJECT VEHICLES TO ADDRESS REPORTS OF ENGINE STALLING.A NEW DESIGN CPS WITH IMPROVED PERFORMANCE AND DURABILITY WILL BE INSTALLED AS A REMEDY.OWNER NOTIFICATIONS WILL BEGIN IN DECEMBER 2007. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE DURABLE, FULL-SIZED, MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS COMMONLY USED FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES, RESCUE/EMERGENCY RESPONSE, AND COMMERCIAL OR RECREATIONAL TOWING.CPS FAILURE IS COMPARABLE TO UNEXPECTEDLY TURNING THE KEY OFF SINCE THE SIGNAL IT P...
EA05005Opened 22 Mar 2005Closed 2 Aug 2006ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
EA05-005 IS CLOSED WITH FORD?S ACTIONS IN RECALLS 05V-017, 05V-388, AND 06V-286, RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 6.7 MILLION VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCHES (SCDS).THE BRAKE SYSTEMS IN THESE RECALLED VEHICLES GENERATE A VACUUM THAT CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE SCDS TO FAIL AND, IN CERTAIN SWITCH INSTALLATION ORIENTATIONS, CATCH FIRE.FORD IS ALSO INCLUDING THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF 1998 EXPLORERS.FORD HAS INFORMED ODI THAT TESTING TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURES IN THE 1998 EXPLORERS WILL CONTINUE AFTER THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI BELIEVES THAT THE VEHIC...
EA02018Opened 19 Aug 2002Closed 22 Aug 2003TIRES
RAPID TIRE DEFLATION
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON CERTAIN FORD PICKUP TRUCKS AND VANS TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTS OF A VALVE STEM EJECTION (WITH RAPID AIR LOSS) AND A SLOW LEAKING VALVE STEM ON VEHICLE HANDING.DURING THE INVESTIGATION, ODI EVALUATED OVER 1,100 COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS, CONDUCTED VEHICLE DYNAMIC TESTING ON A SUBJECT VEHICLE WITH THE FAILURE MODE REPLICATED, INTERVIEWED OWNERS, AND EXAMINED COMPLAINT VEHICLES IN THE FIELD.THE RESULTS OF THE TEST PROGRAM INDICATES THE EFFECT OF A VALVE STEM EJECTION ON THESE VEHICLES IS EASILY CONTROLLED. FURTHER, WITH A POPULATION OF ALMOST 900,000 VEHICLES, H...
EA01009Opened 2 Mar 2001Closed 19 Aug 2003STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN
SECTOR SHAFT FRACTURES
THIS EA WAS OPENED BASED ON A RESPONSE RECEIVED FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) SUBMITTED DURING SQ00-018.FORD STATED IN AN INTERNAL SERVICE MESSAGE THAT IT HAD CHANGED THE STEERING GEAR SECTOR SHAFTS AND PITMAN ARMS INSTALLED 1999 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES SUPER DUTY VEHICLES ON MARCH 22, 1999.FORD STATED THAT THESE DESIGN CHANGES WERE IMPLEMENTED TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS IN VEHICLE STEERING AND HANDLING, AND THAT VIRTUALLY ALL OF THE REPORTED FRACTURED SECTOR SHAFTS WERE THE RESULT OF EXTRAORDINARY, POSSIBLY MULTIPLE, IMPACTS.AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT IS ATTACHED.
Recalls on the 1999 Ford F-550 SD
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
09V399000
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Risk: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
07E106000
WHEELS:HUB
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.
Risk: WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
07V553000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 7.3L DIESEL ENGINES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR LOCATED ON THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE MAY FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF AN ENGINE STALL, A CRASH COULD RESULT WITHOUT WARNING.
06V286000
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
Risk: OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
02V068000
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, FAILURE OF THE FRONT PARKING BRAKE CABLE INPUT BUTTON COULD RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM TO HOLD THE VEHICLE STATIONARY.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AND A VEHICLE CRASH.
01V046000
TIRES:VALVE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH COMMERCIAL TRUCK TIRES THAT HAVE STEEL CORDS IN THE TIRE SIDEWALL. THE VALVE STEMS MAY HAVE BEEN TORN OR DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY AND COULD LEAK CAUSING SIDEWALL DAMAGE.
Risk: IF NOT MAINTAINED, COULD RESULT IN A SIDEWALL ZIPPER FAILURE. A ZIPPER FAILURE DURING INFLATION OF A DAMAGED TIRE COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO SOMEONE NEAR THE TIRE.
99V062001
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1997-1999 RHD EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MAY 29, 1996 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEERS EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC OR 5.0L ENGINES OR 1998-1999 RANGERS EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L, 3.0L FFV/EFI OR 4.0L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM JANUARY 5, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 MUSTANGS EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L, 4.6L 2-VALVE OR 4-VALVE ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1999 F250/F350/F450/F550 (OVER 8,500 LBS.) TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; AND 1999 F-53 STRIPPED CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999. A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE CAN INTERFERE WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SERVO PULLEY AND NOT ALLOW THE THROTTLE TO RETURN TO IDLE WHEN DISENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL.
Risk: IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS USED AND THIS CONDITION IS PRESENT, A STUCK THROTTLE COULD RESULT, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A CRASH.
98V303000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. THE CAST TOW HOOKS CHANGES THE CRASH PULSE OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONTAL BARRIER IMPACTS AND THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS NOT CALIBRATED TO THIS NEW CRASH PULSE WHICH MAY CAUSE THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY IN LOWER SPEED IMPACTS THAN DESIGN INTENT.
Risk: UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 9,470 milesDundee, ORFire1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
WE PURCHASED OUR F550 FROM FACT. ON 2/7/99, IN DEC 1999 THE 4 SPEED AUTO TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITH 9470 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THREE WEEKS BEFORE REPLACING WITH A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE REMANUFACTURED ARE BETTER AS THEY ARE COMPLETLY GONE THROUGH; APPARENTLY THE NEW ONES ARE NOT. ALSO HAD TO REPAIR A MAJOR OIL LEAK BY REPLACING SEVERAL HOSES, O RINGS AND THE RIGHT CYLINDER HEAD HIGH PRESSURE OIL LINE AND FITTING. MAY 4 OF 2000 REPAIR TO THE SWITCHES IN THE DOOR LATCH ALONG WITH MISC INSIDE ELEC REPAIRS. JULY 24, 2001 ENGINE OVERHEATING, DEALER REPLACED GASKETS, THERMOSTATS AND OTHER RELATED ITEMS, SERVICE DOCUMENT INDICATED RECALL WORK DONE BUT NO EXPLAINATION AS TO WHAT. SEPTEMBER 2, 2003 TRUCK FIRE, BURNS AN EMPLOYEE ATTEMPTING TO EXTINGUISH. TRUCK TOWED TO DEALER, WIRE HARNESS ON BOTH SIDES REPLACED, FIRE WAS ON DRIVER SIDE THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS READY TO BURN ALSO. RECEIVED TRUCK BACK, 6 HOURS LATER TRANSMISSION GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. TOWED BACK TO DEALER AND FORDS RESPONSE IS, WE PAY $2000.00 TOWARDS A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION AND THEY WOULD IN TURN PICK UP THE REST OF THE COSTS AND EXTEND OUR POWER STROKE DIESEL ENGINE WARRENTY FOR 4 MORE YEARS, NY PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION NEW IN 1999 ONLY COST $995.00 LET ALONE THE FACT THAT THIS TRANSMISSION ONLY HAS 28,000 MILES ON IT, AM I PAYING FOR THE DEFECTIVE WIRING ALSO? I THINK FORD IS YANKING OUR CHAIN AND YOUR CHAIN AND IT NEEDS TO STOP NOW. WE IMPOWER YOU TO HELP US THE CONSUMER AND TAX PAYERS FIGHT THIS KIND OF CONSUMER ABSUE AND I HOPE IT DOES NOT HAVE TO RESULT TO THE LOSS OF TOO MANY MORE LIVES BEFORE IT IS STOPPED. IT IS SO OBVIOUS THAT THERE ARE SOME SERIOUS DEFECTS WITH THIS VEHICLE SERIES AND I AM CURIOUS AS TO WHEN IT WILL BE ADDRESSED.
NHTSA complaint #10037570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,470 milesDundee, ORFire1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WE PURCHASED OUR F550 FROM FACT. ON 2/7/99, IN DEC 1999 THE 4 SPEED AUTO TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITH 9470 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THREE WEEKS BEFORE REPLACING WITH A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE REMANUFACTURED ARE BETTER AS THEY ARE COMPLETLY GONE THROUGH; APPARENTLY THE NEW ONES ARE NOT. ALSO HAD TO REPAIR A MAJOR OIL LEAK BY REPLACING SEVERAL HOSES, O RINGS AND THE RIGHT CYLINDER HEAD HIGH PRESSURE OIL LINE AND FITTING. MAY 4 OF 2000 REPAIR TO THE SWITCHES IN THE DOOR LATCH ALONG WITH MISC INSIDE ELEC REPAIRS. JULY 24, 2001 ENGINE OVERHEATING, DEALER REPLACED GASKETS, THERMOSTATS AND OTHER RELATED ITEMS, SERVICE DOCUMENT INDICATED RECALL WORK DONE BUT NO EXPLAINATION AS TO WHAT. SEPTEMBER 2, 2003 TRUCK FIRE, BURNS AN EMPLOYEE ATTEMPTING TO EXTINGUISH. TRUCK TOWED TO DEALER, WIRE HARNESS ON BOTH SIDES REPLACED, FIRE WAS ON DRIVER SIDE THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS READY TO BURN ALSO. RECEIVED TRUCK BACK, 6 HOURS LATER TRANSMISSION GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. TOWED BACK TO DEALER AND FORDS RESPONSE IS, WE PAY $2000.00 TOWARDS A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION AND THEY WOULD IN TURN PICK UP THE REST OF THE COSTS AND EXTEND OUR POWER STROKE DIESEL ENGINE WARRENTY FOR 4 MORE YEARS, NY PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION NEW IN 1999 ONLY COST $995.00 LET ALONE THE FACT THAT THIS TRANSMISSION ONLY HAS 28,000 MILES ON IT, AM I PAYING FOR THE DEFECTIVE WIRING ALSO? I THINK FORD IS YANKING OUR CHAIN AND YOUR CHAIN AND IT NEEDS TO STOP NOW. WE IMPOWER YOU TO HELP US THE CONSUMER AND TAX PAYERS FIGHT THIS KIND OF CONSUMER ABSUE AND I HOPE IT DOES NOT HAVE TO RESULT TO THE LOSS OF TOO MANY MORE LIVES BEFORE IT IS STOPPED. IT IS SO OBVIOUS THAT THERE ARE SOME SERIOUS DEFECTS WITH THIS VEHICLE SERIES AND I AM CURIOUS AS TO WHEN IT WILL BE ADDRESSED.
NHTSA complaint #10037570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,470 milesDundee, ORFire1 injured
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
WE PURCHASED OUR F550 FROM FACT. ON 2/7/99, IN DEC 1999 THE 4 SPEED AUTO TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITH 9470 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THREE WEEKS BEFORE REPLACING WITH A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE REMANUFACTURED ARE BETTER AS THEY ARE COMPLETLY GONE THROUGH; APPARENTLY THE NEW ONES ARE NOT. ALSO HAD TO REPAIR A MAJOR OIL LEAK BY REPLACING SEVERAL HOSES, O RINGS AND THE RIGHT CYLINDER HEAD HIGH PRESSURE OIL LINE AND FITTING. MAY 4 OF 2000 REPAIR TO THE SWITCHES IN THE DOOR LATCH ALONG WITH MISC INSIDE ELEC REPAIRS. JULY 24, 2001 ENGINE OVERHEATING, DEALER REPLACED GASKETS, THERMOSTATS AND OTHER RELATED ITEMS, SERVICE DOCUMENT INDICATED RECALL WORK DONE BUT NO EXPLAINATION AS TO WHAT. SEPTEMBER 2, 2003 TRUCK FIRE, BURNS AN EMPLOYEE ATTEMPTING TO EXTINGUISH. TRUCK TOWED TO DEALER, WIRE HARNESS ON BOTH SIDES REPLACED, FIRE WAS ON DRIVER SIDE THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS READY TO BURN ALSO. RECEIVED TRUCK BACK, 6 HOURS LATER TRANSMISSION GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. TOWED BACK TO DEALER AND FORDS RESPONSE IS, WE PAY $2000.00 TOWARDS A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION AND THEY WOULD IN TURN PICK UP THE REST OF THE COSTS AND EXTEND OUR POWER STROKE DIESEL ENGINE WARRENTY FOR 4 MORE YEARS, NY PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION NEW IN 1999 ONLY COST $995.00 LET ALONE THE FACT THAT THIS TRANSMISSION ONLY HAS 28,000 MILES ON IT, AM I PAYING FOR THE DEFECTIVE WIRING ALSO? I THINK FORD IS YANKING OUR CHAIN AND YOUR CHAIN AND IT NEEDS TO STOP NOW. WE IMPOWER YOU TO HELP US THE CONSUMER AND TAX PAYERS FIGHT THIS KIND OF CONSUMER ABSUE AND I HOPE IT DOES NOT HAVE TO RESULT TO THE LOSS OF TOO MANY MORE LIVES BEFORE IT IS STOPPED. IT IS SO OBVIOUS THAT THERE ARE SOME SERIOUS DEFECTS WITH THIS VEHICLE SERIES AND I AM CURIOUS AS TO WHEN IT WILL BE ADDRESSED.
NHTSA complaint #10037570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,470 milesDundee, ORFire1 injured
INTERIOR LIGHTING
WE PURCHASED OUR F550 FROM FACT. ON 2/7/99, IN DEC 1999 THE 4 SPEED AUTO TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITH 9470 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THREE WEEKS BEFORE REPLACING WITH A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE REMANUFACTURED ARE BETTER AS THEY ARE COMPLETLY GONE THROUGH; APPARENTLY THE NEW ONES ARE NOT. ALSO HAD TO REPAIR A MAJOR OIL LEAK BY REPLACING SEVERAL HOSES, O RINGS AND THE RIGHT CYLINDER HEAD HIGH PRESSURE OIL LINE AND FITTING. MAY 4 OF 2000 REPAIR TO THE SWITCHES IN THE DOOR LATCH ALONG WITH MISC INSIDE ELEC REPAIRS. JULY 24, 2001 ENGINE OVERHEATING, DEALER REPLACED GASKETS, THERMOSTATS AND OTHER RELATED ITEMS, SERVICE DOCUMENT INDICATED RECALL WORK DONE BUT NO EXPLAINATION AS TO WHAT. SEPTEMBER 2, 2003 TRUCK FIRE, BURNS AN EMPLOYEE ATTEMPTING TO EXTINGUISH. TRUCK TOWED TO DEALER, WIRE HARNESS ON BOTH SIDES REPLACED, FIRE WAS ON DRIVER SIDE THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS READY TO BURN ALSO. RECEIVED TRUCK BACK, 6 HOURS LATER TRANSMISSION GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. TOWED BACK TO DEALER AND FORDS RESPONSE IS, WE PAY $2000.00 TOWARDS A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION AND THEY WOULD IN TURN PICK UP THE REST OF THE COSTS AND EXTEND OUR POWER STROKE DIESEL ENGINE WARRENTY FOR 4 MORE YEARS, NY PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION NEW IN 1999 ONLY COST $995.00 LET ALONE THE FACT THAT THIS TRANSMISSION ONLY HAS 28,000 MILES ON IT, AM I PAYING FOR THE DEFECTIVE WIRING ALSO? I THINK FORD IS YANKING OUR CHAIN AND YOUR CHAIN AND IT NEEDS TO STOP NOW. WE IMPOWER YOU TO HELP US THE CONSUMER AND TAX PAYERS FIGHT THIS KIND OF CONSUMER ABSUE AND I HOPE IT DOES NOT HAVE TO RESULT TO THE LOSS OF TOO MANY MORE LIVES BEFORE IT IS STOPPED. IT IS SO OBVIOUS THAT THERE ARE SOME SERIOUS DEFECTS WITH THIS VEHICLE SERIES AND I AM CURIOUS AS TO WHEN IT WILL BE ADDRESSED.
NHTSA complaint #10037570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,470 milesDundee, ORFire1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
WE PURCHASED OUR F550 FROM FACT. ON 2/7/99, IN DEC 1999 THE 4 SPEED AUTO TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITH 9470 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THREE WEEKS BEFORE REPLACING WITH A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE REMANUFACTURED ARE BETTER AS THEY ARE COMPLETLY GONE THROUGH; APPARENTLY THE NEW ONES ARE NOT. ALSO HAD TO REPAIR A MAJOR OIL LEAK BY REPLACING SEVERAL HOSES, O RINGS AND THE RIGHT CYLINDER HEAD HIGH PRESSURE OIL LINE AND FITTING. MAY 4 OF 2000 REPAIR TO THE SWITCHES IN THE DOOR LATCH ALONG WITH MISC INSIDE ELEC REPAIRS. JULY 24, 2001 ENGINE OVERHEATING, DEALER REPLACED GASKETS, THERMOSTATS AND OTHER RELATED ITEMS, SERVICE DOCUMENT INDICATED RECALL WORK DONE BUT NO EXPLAINATION AS TO WHAT. SEPTEMBER 2, 2003 TRUCK FIRE, BURNS AN EMPLOYEE ATTEMPTING TO EXTINGUISH. TRUCK TOWED TO DEALER, WIRE HARNESS ON BOTH SIDES REPLACED, FIRE WAS ON DRIVER SIDE THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS READY TO BURN ALSO. RECEIVED TRUCK BACK, 6 HOURS LATER TRANSMISSION GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. TOWED BACK TO DEALER AND FORDS RESPONSE IS, WE PAY $2000.00 TOWARDS A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION AND THEY WOULD IN TURN PICK UP THE REST OF THE COSTS AND EXTEND OUR POWER STROKE DIESEL ENGINE WARRENTY FOR 4 MORE YEARS, NY PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION NEW IN 1999 ONLY COST $995.00 LET ALONE THE FACT THAT THIS TRANSMISSION ONLY HAS 28,000 MILES ON IT, AM I PAYING FOR THE DEFECTIVE WIRING ALSO? I THINK FORD IS YANKING OUR CHAIN AND YOUR CHAIN AND IT NEEDS TO STOP NOW. WE IMPOWER YOU TO HELP US THE CONSUMER AND TAX PAYERS FIGHT THIS KIND OF CONSUMER ABSUE AND I HOPE IT DOES NOT HAVE TO RESULT TO THE LOSS OF TOO MANY MORE LIVES BEFORE IT IS STOPPED. IT IS SO OBVIOUS THAT THERE ARE SOME SERIOUS DEFECTS WITH THIS VEHICLE SERIES AND I AM CURIOUS AS TO WHEN IT WILL BE ADDRESSED.
NHTSA complaint #10037570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Butler, GA1 injured
AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN CLUTCH WENT OUT. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE INTO DEALER ALMOST EVERY 20OOO MILES. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK THE VEHICLE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE CRUISE CONTROL GOES OFF WHILE DRIVING FOR NO REASON. THE BOLTS SHEERED OFF FROM THE DRIVE SHAFT. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, INJURING THE CONSUMERS SON, ALSO CONSUMER STATES EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ON RECALL, HOWEVER DID NOT SPECIFY IF REPAIRS HAD BEEN DONE.
NHTSA complaint #898740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 47,000 milesRamona, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL TANK IS RUSTING. I UNDERSTAND FORD HAD A RECALL FOR THIS, BUT MY VIN DOES NOT SHOW ONE. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 48,000 MILES AND I AM HAVING TO REPLACE MY FUEL FILTER EVERY 1000 MILES!
NHTSA complaint #11064394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesKeysville, VA
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD F-550 SD. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS FRACTURED WHERE THE SHOCKS WERE LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #10452350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Parker, AZ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1999 FORD V10, WINNEBAGO CHIEFTAIN 34Y. CONSUMER HAS HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS TRYING TO GET RECALL REPAIR WORK DONE ON THE VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE RV TO THE DEALER. THEY ADVISED THE CONSUMER OVER A RECALL REGARDING THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE DEALER DISABLED THE CRUISE CONTROL WITHOUT THE CONSUMERS CONSENT AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO FIX THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED HE BECAME AWARE OF PARTS BEING AVAILABLE AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND WENT THERE, WHERE THEY INSTALLED A WIRING HARNESS AND RECORDED THE RECALL HAD BEEN DONE, BUT IT WAS NOT FIXED. THE NEXT DEALERSHIP REMOVED AND REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS, TO NO AVAIL, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND COMPLAINED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS THAT WAS INSTALLED DID NOT FIX THE CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEM. THEY REMOVED THE LAST HARNESS AND INSTALLED ANOTHER. THE SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED FOUR TIMES. THE CONSUMER STATED IT HAS BEEN THREE YEARS, AND THE PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #10368975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesSAN Diego, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
WE HAVE 4 F550 BUSES THAT HAVE HAD THE GAS TANK REPLACED TWICE ON EACH BUS DO WHAT WE BELIEVE IS COATING FAILURE. WE NOW HAVE AN F450 THAT IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME CONDITIONS, WE ARE FORCED TO REPLACE THE GAS TANK ON THIS VEHICLE AS WELL. WE TAKE OUR VEHICLES TO FORD MIRAMAR TRUCK CENTER, AND HAVE HAD A FORD FACTOR REPRESENTATIVE LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM ONLY TO TELL US ITS NOT A TANK FAILURE ISSUE. AFTER WHAT WILL NOW BE 9 REPLACED GAS TANKS, I TRULY BELIEVE THERE IS AN ISSUE HERE THAT MUST BE SERIOUSLY LOOKED INTO. ON A SIDE NOTE, AFTER THE SECOND TANK FAILURE WE CHANGED GAS STATIONS THINKING THE PROBLEM WAS BAD FUEL-NOT THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10156713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
INTERNAL COATING FAILURE ON FUEL TANKS ON F550 SUPER DUTY FORD TRUCKS.THE FUEL SYSTEM BECOMES CLOGGED WITH RUST AND THE TANK MUST BE CLEANED OR REPLACED.WE HAVE FOUR VEHICLES AND HAVE INCURRED 8 TO 10 FAILURES IN PAST THREE YEARS. WE ARE UNABLE TO GET FORD TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM WHICH I THINK IS IMPROPER APPLICATION OF THE COATING MATERIAL.
NHTSA complaint #10154314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,000 milesHuntington Beach, CA
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH IN A PARKING LOT GOING OVER A SPEED BUMP THE STEERING WHEEL SPUN FREELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS THE STEERING BOX SHAFT HAD BROKEN CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. THE STEERING SECTOR SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 04/06/06.
NHTSA complaint #10153364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesHuntington Beach, CA
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5MPH IN A PARKING LOT THE STEERING WHEEL SPUN FREELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS THE STEERING BOX SHAFT HAD BROKEN CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. THE STEERING SECTOR SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 04/06/06
NHTSA complaint #10153362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Broadview Heights, OH
TIRES
1999 FORD F550 REAR RIGHT DUAL TIRES SHEERED OF THE AXLE. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE STUDS BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #10147578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Broadview Heights, OH
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
1999 FORD F550 REAR RIGHT DUAL TIRES SHEERED OF THE AXLE. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE STUDS BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #10147578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesFullerton, NE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE MISFIRED. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SPARK PLUG WIRES WERE CROSSED, WHICH SEND THE SPARK TO THE WRONG AREA. THIS WAS CAUSING AIR POLLUTION. THE WIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK UPDATED 1/5/2006 -
NHTSA complaint #10144702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesFullerton, NE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE MISFIRED. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SPARK PLUG WIRES WERE CROSSED, WHICH SEND THE SPARK TO THE WRONG AREA. THIS WAS CAUSING AIR POLLUTION. THE WIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK UPDATED 1/5/2006 -
NHTSA complaint #10144702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesLOS Angeles, CA
TIRES
TIRE BLOW OUTS AND BULGE IN SIDEWALL OF TIRE. THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED THREE DIFFERENT TIRE FAILURES. TWO FAILURES WERE BLOWOUTS WHICH OCCURRED WHILE PULLING A TRAVEL TRAILER, THE THIRD WAS A BULGE IN THE SIDEWALL WHICH WAS DETECTED BEFORE THE TIRE COMPLETELY FAILED. THE TIRE APPEARED TO BE IN GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION WITH NO VISIBLE CRACKS OR DEFECTS.
NHTSA complaint #10001283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,420 milesDundee, OR
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION STOP SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD MAJOR OIL LEAKS THROUGH THE FUEL SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10083472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,420 milesDundee, OR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION STOP SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD MAJOR OIL LEAKS THROUGH THE FUEL SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10083472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 26,000 milesMuskogee, OK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
AS THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND STAYED. THE MASTER CYLINDER AND SLAVE CYLINDER HAD EXCESS WERE ON THE PRESSURE PLATE FINGERS. THE TRANSMISSION WAS HARD TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND LOW GEAR. THE HARD CLUTCH MADE NOISE. THE CLUTCH COMPANY WAS WELL AWARE OF FORD'S PROBLEM AND HAD RE-ENGINEERED AND DESIGNED A NEW PACKAGE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING AT THE FUEL FILTER, THE SWAY BAR WAS BROKEN, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYED ON, ENGINE OIL LEAK, AND THE GAS CAP WAS BROKEN. *AK *SC
NHTSA complaint #10072259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 26,000 milesMuskogee, OK
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
AS THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND STAYED. THE MASTER CYLINDER AND SLAVE CYLINDER HAD EXCESS WERE ON THE PRESSURE PLATE FINGERS. THE TRANSMISSION WAS HARD TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND LOW GEAR. THE HARD CLUTCH MADE NOISE. THE CLUTCH COMPANY WAS WELL AWARE OF FORD'S PROBLEM AND HAD RE-ENGINEERED AND DESIGNED A NEW PACKAGE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING AT THE FUEL FILTER, THE SWAY BAR WAS BROKEN, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYED ON, ENGINE OIL LEAK, AND THE GAS CAP WAS BROKEN. *AK *SC
NHTSA complaint #10072259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 26,000 milesMuskogee, OK
INTERIOR LIGHTING
AS THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND STAYED. THE MASTER CYLINDER AND SLAVE CYLINDER HAD EXCESS WERE ON THE PRESSURE PLATE FINGERS. THE TRANSMISSION WAS HARD TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND LOW GEAR. THE HARD CLUTCH MADE NOISE. THE CLUTCH COMPANY WAS WELL AWARE OF FORD'S PROBLEM AND HAD RE-ENGINEERED AND DESIGNED A NEW PACKAGE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING AT THE FUEL FILTER, THE SWAY BAR WAS BROKEN, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYED ON, ENGINE OIL LEAK, AND THE GAS CAP WAS BROKEN. *AK *SC
NHTSA complaint #10072259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 26,000 milesMuskogee, OK
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
AS THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND STAYED. THE MASTER CYLINDER AND SLAVE CYLINDER HAD EXCESS WERE ON THE PRESSURE PLATE FINGERS. THE TRANSMISSION WAS HARD TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND LOW GEAR. THE HARD CLUTCH MADE NOISE. THE CLUTCH COMPANY WAS WELL AWARE OF FORD'S PROBLEM AND HAD RE-ENGINEERED AND DESIGNED A NEW PACKAGE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING AT THE FUEL FILTER, THE SWAY BAR WAS BROKEN, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYED ON, ENGINE OIL LEAK, AND THE GAS CAP WAS BROKEN. *AK *SC
NHTSA complaint #10072259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 26,000 milesMuskogee, OK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
AS THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND STAYED. THE MASTER CYLINDER AND SLAVE CYLINDER HAD EXCESS WERE ON THE PRESSURE PLATE FINGERS. THE TRANSMISSION WAS HARD TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND LOW GEAR. THE HARD CLUTCH MADE NOISE. THE CLUTCH COMPANY WAS WELL AWARE OF FORD'S PROBLEM AND HAD RE-ENGINEERED AND DESIGNED A NEW PACKAGE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING AT THE FUEL FILTER, THE SWAY BAR WAS BROKEN, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYED ON, ENGINE OIL LEAK, AND THE GAS CAP WAS BROKEN. *AK *SC
NHTSA complaint #10072259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 26,000 milesMuskogee, OK
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
AS THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND STAYED. THE MASTER CYLINDER AND SLAVE CYLINDER HAD EXCESS WERE ON THE PRESSURE PLATE FINGERS. THE TRANSMISSION WAS HARD TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND LOW GEAR. THE HARD CLUTCH MADE NOISE. THE CLUTCH COMPANY WAS WELL AWARE OF FORD'S PROBLEM AND HAD RE-ENGINEERED AND DESIGNED A NEW PACKAGE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING AT THE FUEL FILTER, THE SWAY BAR WAS BROKEN, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYED ON, ENGINE OIL LEAK, AND THE GAS CAP WAS BROKEN. *AK *SC
NHTSA complaint #10072259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,111 milesConnellsville, PA
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
LOST OF DUAL REAR WHEELS DUE TO FAILURE OF WHEEL STUDS.
NHTSA complaint #10064373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,504 milesConnellsville, PA
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
LOST OF DUAL REAR WHEELS DUE TO FAILURE OF WHEEL STUDS.
NHTSA complaint #10064382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,244 milesConnellsville, PA
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
LOST OF DUAL REAR WHEELS DUE TO FAILURE OF WHEEL STUDS.
NHTSA complaint #10064383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,919 milesConnellsville, PA
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
LOSS OF DUAL REAR WHEELS DUE TO FAILURE OF WHEEL STUDS.
NHTSA complaint #10064385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,864 milesConnellsville, PA
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
LOST OF DUAL REAR WHEELS DUE TO FAILURE OF WHEEL STUDS.
NHTSA complaint #10064386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.