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1999 Ford F-150 electrical complaints

Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 85, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 1999 Ford F-150 electrical problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Jul 28, 2011 · Electrical · 218,270 miles · MI

The engine surges or quits as I am driving. This happens every 8 to 10 miles. I can be going 75 MPH on the freeway when it quits and I have to shut off the ignition to restart it. This is at least the ninth time this truck has done this since it was new. I think you can imagine what it's like to be going 75 miles per hour and your engine quits and you are left with no power steering, or brakes. This will be the ninth coil I have replaced on this motor. Ford is completely aware that there has been a problem for years with this size motor. I can't believe an engine that shuts off at 75 miles per hour has not been considered a safety concern before.

Filed Jul 1, 2011 · Electrical · 124,000 miles · ME

I own a 1999 ford f-150 with the 5.4 liter triton engine and it has blown out 2 different spark plugs in the last year. The first one happened traveling down I-95 and the second one happened in a 35 MPH zone.

Filed Nov 30, 2010 · Electrical · 182,700 miles · MI · fire

My 1999 ford f150 truck was sitting in my driveway and had not been driven for over two days. The ecu module shorted out and started to burn large amount of smoke billowed out from under the hood of truck. Truck was repaired with a used part since ford no longer manufactures the ecu module.

Filed Sep 2, 2010 · Electrical, Engine · 120,000 miles · KY · fire

Tl*the contact owned a 1999 ford f150. The contact stated that after driving 1/4 mile and then parking the vehicle near the garage the truck caught fire while it was turned off. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. There were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. Ford has not been contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. Updated 09/16-10 *bf updated 09/20/10*jb the consumer stated the fire started under the hood. Prior to the fire, the battery light illuminated. Updated 09/20/10.*jb updated 08/01/11 *bf the consumer stated the fire started under the hood. The fire dept. Did not know what caused the fire. Six days before the fire, the battery light illuminated. The consumers husband had the vehicle inspected and everything checked out fine. Updated 08/02/11

Filed Jun 4, 2009 · Electrical · 190,000 miles · WI · fire

Hvac interior fan begins to be intermediate at all setting but highest setting. The resistor fails on all but highest setting. Short in wire harness started a smoldering fire at connector. All resistors are open air and rusted assumed do to its proximity to the evaporator. Failure exactly like this one experienced by other owners. Http://www.f150online.com/forums/articles-how-tos/378955-heater-blower-fan-fix-only-high-speed.html.

Filed Feb 12, 2009 · Electrical · GA · fire

My husband went to the store and when he came out, our truck was on fire. The fire dept. Said it was electrical.

Filed Jul 23, 2008 · Electrical · 112,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford f-150. The vehicle caught fire under the hood while parked. A fire report was filed. The manufacturer investigated the failure and concluded that the fire was caused by the vehicle speed control sensor. The manufacturer will replace the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 112,000. Updated 09/04/08 *bf updated 09/09/08.

Filed Mar 6, 2008 · Electrical · 86,000 miles · WA

The digital odometer blanks out, or scrambles its display. The dealers service advisor says the soldered connections are "bad". The entire instrument cluster must be replaced. @ cost $600.00. Further inquiries find that hundreds of other f-150 owners have the same defect. Very distracting in traffic when it blanks out!

Filed Sep 17, 2007 · Electrical · 138,000 miles · ME

'99 f-150, manual trans., 4.2l v6 odometer backlight fades in & out. Unable to determine cause at this time. Failure started @ about 138k miles. Odometer however remains accurate.

Filed Aug 8, 2007 · Electrical · 96,000 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford f150. He stated that the odometer would fade in and out and sometimes would remain off for several minutes. He felt that the failure could possibly cause a short and fire. The failure mileage was 96,000 and the current mileage was 101,000. Updated 02-01-08.

Filed Mar 30, 2007 · Electrical · 156,200 miles · MN

Tl*- the contact owes a 1999 f150 ford pickup. The contact stated that on march 14,2007 while driving in sunny conditions, and while stopping at a traffic signal the anti-theft light flashe. , after that all equipment on the vehicle turned off. He was able to drive to the shoulder to stop the vehicle, unpluged the battery, and restarted the vehicle. This same event occurred repeatedly since the first incident. The failure mileage was 156,200 and the current mileage was 156,909.

Filed Mar 10, 2007 · Acceleration, Electrical · 210,000 miles · OK · fire

1999 ford f-150 was sitting in driveway, when a fire started under hood. Origin seems to be at brake master cylinder. All plastic components under hood melted and wiring was completely destroyed.

Filed Feb 1, 2007 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* - the contact owns a 1999 ford f150. The contact stated that on 01/27/2007 the vehicle was parked on the street, when a neighbor alerted him that the vehicle was on fire. The contact stated that the vehicle was not working any differently prior to the fire. The vehicle had been turned off for approximately 40 minutes, when it began smoking and caught on fire. *ak made 3rd attempt 10/16/07 left message.

Filed Dec 9, 2006 · Electrical · CA · fire

Electrical failure, malfunction, ford f150 pickup truck explosion destroyed two of my vehicles.

Filed Aug 16, 2006 · Electrical · 150,000 miles · 00

Various switches are failing, passenger side window switch, electric mirror adjust switch, fan switch for heater/AC and the most annoying is the multifunction switch which causes the wipers to come one when ever they feel like it. I also personally know of two other ford f150 owners suffering from similar problems. I think its time that ford stops using inferior parts before we all start buying dodge.

Filed Jul 15, 2006 · Electrical, Visibility · 5,000 miles · WA

I have had my f150 for 7 years and have had very few problems. Bad fuel injector and the recall for the cruise control. I have been having trouble with my wipers coming on by themselves. I called my local ford dealer (columbia ford, longview,wa) and they said they had not seen this problem before. I did a little research on the web and found your tsb 00-9-6 which describes this problem to a tee. I called the dealer back and was advised I would have to absorb the entire cost for the repair? Since they have known about this problem since 2000 and did not recall for this bad switch (see your tsb) "install revised multi-function switch" do I have any recourse in this matter. Like the cruise control switch recalled last year is there a chance of fire? It can be disconcerting to be driving along in 90 degree weather and have your wipers turn on by themselves. I have found many complaints about this at a number of car site it's being called "ghost wipers" the above listed tsb was issued in 2000 but owners were not notified. I believe this is a safety issue that should have been recalled when found. This may have been going on for the past 6 years, the wipers turn on once and you think maybe you hit the switch on the steering wheel by accident.

Filed Jun 18, 2006 · Electrical · 154,000 miles · WI · fire

I was braking for lunch when I open the drivers door of my f-150 when it burst into flames. The wiring in the door controls was melted. It was a good thing I was not in the truck when the fire occurred!

Filed Jan 19, 2006 · Electrical · 89,000 miles · CT

Water entering through cowling (the slotted metal piece between the hood and the wind screen) leaks into the passenger compartment on the driver side and onto the ignition components causing a short circuit of these parts. These parts are the fuse box(cjb), generic electronic module(gem) power distribution box(pdb) and other electroic parts and wire connectors. The parts thet do not fail will corrode and cause intermittent electrical problems. For example, AC/heater fan and turn signals will continue to operate without key in the ignition. Dome light and wind screen wipers will start and stop without being physically turned on. The engine will not start or it can stop without turning off the ignition switch. The repair is all affected parts must be cleared of corrision or replaced at consumer cost and the leak must be found and sealed. Ford has a service bulletin #16928 dated 6/27/03 on this covering f-150's from 1997 to 2003. This should be considered dangerous and there needs to be a manufacturer recall for this.

Filed Oct 24, 2005 · Electrical · 65,000 miles · NH

Truck only has 65,000 miles and the odometer would go on and off when it pleased. Took it to a ford dealership, and had to replace the whole instrument panel. Cost lots of money.

Filed Oct 18, 2005 · Acceleration, Brakes · 50,000 miles · FL

Dt: the contact owns a 1999 ford f-150. The contact complained about electrical problems since the cruise control stopped working in august 2004. Within a month of the cruise control malfunctioning the ABS sensor illuminated on the dashboard, and the heater stopped working. Approximately one month ago the power door locks stopped working. When it was hot outside, the contact turned off the lights in the vehicle he had to remove the fuse. The contact stated there was a ticking noise coming from inside the fuse box. The consumer contacted the dealership, and they told him to bring the vehicle in for a diagnostic test at his expense. The manufacturer explained to the dealership that the consumer felt that the electrical problems listed above were caused by the cruise control switch. *ak the consumer has since stated the power mirrors no longer work.

Filed Oct 17, 2005 · Acceleration, Electrical · 68,000 miles · OK · fire

Dt: the contact owns a 1999 ford f150. At 3 am while sleeping the contact woke up to the sound of the anti alarm system going off. Went out and found that the hood melted and the fire was coming out of the front of the vehicle. Called 911. In the meantime the contact's husband tried to put the flames out with an extinguisher. The vehicle burned completely except for the back bumper and the back tires. Then , basically the fire department came and put the fire out. After the fire was put out the contact called the insurance company, and they investigated the fire, and found out that the fire was started due to the alternator. Two days prior to the vehicle catching on fire the contact received manufacturer's recall 05528 concerning cruise control deactivation switch. Never changed the alternator or the wires. The contact's boat and home were damaged .

Filed Aug 10, 2005 · Electrical · 60,000 miles · TX · fire

Dt: 2001 ford f150. The cruise control sensor caught on fire on august 9, 2005. The consumer was driving the vehicle when this happened. Smoke started coming out of the hood, he pulled over. The smoke and flames were coming from the sensor. The fire department was not called. The vehicle was then driven to the dealership, they stated it was not under warranty, and it was not a recall item . Consumer had to pay for the damages $120 plus for the fuses that blew out.

Filed Aug 9, 2005 · Electrical, Engine · 82,000 miles · NY

Dt: bought a used truck, and after the warranty expired had to replace the starter/the ball joints/he upper tie rods, and the control arm on both sides. Engine manifold split, and exhaust system rusted. Later, while driving tie rods came off. There was a slight drop at the entrance to the parking lot, and as vehicle went back up the drop, it slid and there was an impact. Got out of the car, and saw that the tie rod came off and gouged into the pavement. Spoke to the manager of country club chevrolet, and he simply gave consumer a discount on parts and labor. Yesterday he went to a certified used vehicle dealer and asked for the 88-point inspection,, and they were unable to provide that information.

Filed Aug 8, 2005 · Electrical · 120,000 miles · TX · fire

Dt: while driving at 35-45 MPH vehicle caught on fire. The flame scame from under the hood.

Filed Aug 4, 2005 · Acceleration, Electrical · IN · fire

Dt: 1999 ford f150. There was an under the hood fire. This occurred on august 2, 2005. The vehicle had been parked for approximately five minutes when the fire started. There was no indication that there was something wrong with the vehicle. The fire department came and there was a report. There is not yet a determination as to why the fire started. The fire was so hot, the hood was gone. The vehicle was sitting 20 feet away from a mobile home and it melted the siding. *ak

Filed Jul 22, 2005 · Electrical · 28,000 miles · NC

On multiple occasions all external and internal lights would cut off for a fraction of a second and then light back up. Each time they went out once and so fast that it was barely noticed. The number of these incidents are unknown. I would say fewer than 10. The first dealership it was reported to was crescent ford in high point, nc. At the time, they did not record the issue as being reported and did not advise me that it should be checked. The problem was happening so infrequently that I did not realize it might be a serious problem. In the later part of 2003, october I believe, I stopped at a local tire distributor to have my tires balanced and rotated. I noticed from inside the store that the headlights were not off. I returned to the vehicle to attempt to turn them off by manipulating the light switch and ignition switch with no success. I had the work done at the tire store and took the truck staight to bob dunn ford in greensboro where they advised me that the fuse box had to be rewired and that it was not safe to drive. The service technician showed me a fuse that had been removed from the fuse box. The fuse was black, melted and the element in the fuse was not burned through. The cover to the fuse box had a white spot on it where the plastic was heated and charred. The dealership provided me with a vehicle to drive and my truck was repaired but at my expense. I had applied to be reimbursed by ford but have never heard any response dispite multiple calls to the dealership. After having learned of the recall for fires in parked f150's I decided this should be reported. Dates provided are estimates. I would have to have the dealership records pulled to find exact dates and mileage. The mileage on the vehicle was approximately 28,000 miles but it was out of warranty as it was older than 3 years.

Filed Jul 21, 2005 · Electrical, Lights · 50,000 miles · KY

Dt the brake lights were not working, checked the bulbs, had a topper wired into them . Took that off and disconnected it. Tried flashers, they worked. Checked fuses, figured it was one of the two switches, either the one on the reservoir or the one the pedal up under the dashboard. Found out yesterday on july 20, 2005.

Filed Jul 8, 2005 · Acceleration, Electrical · 56,000 miles · OH · fire

Dt: ford f150 1999. Before the fire, there was a problem with fuses starting on 6/9/05. There was no turn signal. The turn signals returned after replacing the fuse/brake lights, hazards, owner thought it was fuse #23 or 20. The vehicle caught on fire while sitting in the driveway. The fire occurred in the wires going into the master cylinder under hood. There was a smell coming from under the hood the same day of fire at about 12:30 and then fire happened at 6 pm. When outside owner smelled a strong odor like smoke. Then smoke came from under hood. The owner opened the hood and there were flames about 6 inches high coming out. The fire was put out by hose and then owner tried to start vehicle. Started it and didn't smoke, but there was a blown fuse that governed the hazard lights, etc. Owner believed it was an electrical fire. The fire department was not called nor police. There were no pictures were taken. Vehicle is now at the local mechanic. Also, owner has contacted local dealership. The owner will attempt today to contact ford. Vehicle is not a total loss, only some of the wires were burnt and some melted in cruise control switch. Owner is aware that there is an investigation. *ak *sc

Filed Jun 24, 2005 · Electrical, Locks · FL

Dt: contact states the passenger side door lock is not functioning properly. The door cannot be unlocked from the outside with the electronic control. The battery has been replaced in the remote control. Contact can unlock the door with the actual key. Also, there are problems with the electrical system, when the windshield wipers are turned on the radio will go off. There is an appointment schedule with a service dealer for monday, june 27, 2005.

Filed Jun 23, 2005 · Electrical · 68,000 miles · OH

Dt: problem occurred about two years ago initially. Water goes from windshield to gem module when it rains. This causes windshield wipers to only go at a certain speed unless the vehicle is stopped or put in neutral. Radio also dies when the windshield wiper problem occurs and owner believes all this is caused by the gem module getting wet. The gem module was replaced one time but the problem returned shortly afterwards. When it rains a crackling sound like bacon is heard and a burning smell is noticed. This was reported to ford and they reported no knowledge of problem and showed no interest.

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