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1990 Ford F-150Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 275 owner complaints about the 1990 Ford F-150, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

76
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years69% below the F-150 median · #35 of 42 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints27549 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage118kFuel system, gasoline, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 20, 2021. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1990 Ford F-150 has problems

275 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Fuel system, gasoline1357
Electrical system3720
Engine and engine cooling214
Tires193
Service brakes, hydraulic182
Power train130
Steering70
Suspension60
Fuel/propulsion system60
11 other systems279

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

1990 Ford F-150 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Electrical system: ignition

Recall 96V-071 · Apr 25, 1996 · 7,900,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)

Recall 90V-101 · Jun 1, 1990 · 111,000 vehicles

Risk. WHEN THE GEAR IS PLACED IN PARK, THE PARK GEAR WOULD NOTENGAGE, ALLOWING THE TRUCK TO ROLL FREELY IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT PROPERLYSET.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Auxillary tank: selector devices

Recall 89V-141 · Aug 15, 1989 · 1,100 vehicles

Risk. FUEL COULD BE TRANSFERRED FROM ONE TANK TO THE OTHER,POSSIBLY RESULTING IN FUEL OVERFLOW AND SPILLAGE, IN PRESENCE OF AN IGNITIONSOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Mileage at failure

When do fuel system, gasoline problems start?

118kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 24 fuel system, gasoline complaints. 38% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 14% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
3under 30k miles9under 100k miles15100k miles or more
Best & worst years

1990 vs. every other F-150 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the F-150 median. How we score

'73'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
11 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1990 Ford F-150, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FUEL EXPULSIONEA91031 · closed Nov 1, 1991
    Led to recall 91V-146
  2. LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENESEA91044 · closed Oct 30, 1992
    Led to recall 92V-026
  3. FRONT SEAT BACK FAILUREEA92029 · closed Oct 29, 1993
    No recall
  4. FUEL EXPULSIONEA93001 · closed Aug 20, 1993
    Led to recall 93V-125
  5. DUAL FUEL TANK CROSSFLOW/LEAKAGEEA99032 · closed Dec 6, 2001
    Led to recall 01I008000
  6. FORD TRUCK INCONSISTENT VEHICLE CONTROL.PE91017 · closed Apr 17, 1991
    No recall
  7. TRANSMISSION FLUID FIRESPE91064 · closed Jul 5, 1991
    No recall
  8. LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENESPE91077 · closed Oct 31, 1991
    No recall
  9. FNT RECLNING SEAT BCK FAILPE92042 · closed Aug 27, 1992
    No recall
  10. FUEL EXPULSIONPE92077 · closed Jan 7, 1993
    No recall
  11. FORD F-SERIES DUAL FUEL TANK LEAKAGERQ98008 · closed Nov 4, 1999
    Led to recall 93V-125
In owners' words

What F-150 owners report

Recent fuel system, gasoline complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED FUEL LEAKED FROM ONE TANK INTO THE OTHER TANK AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JERK WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND SWITCHED THE FUEL BUTTON TO THE OTHER TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE…
Complaint 11329223 · Jun 16, 2020 · 162,000 miles
THE TRUCK HAS 9000 ACTUAL MILES ON IT NOW, BUT I FAIL TO UNDERSTAND (1) WHY THE WINDSHIELD LEAKS AND THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN STORED UNDER A CARPORT? (2) FUEL GAUGE ON FRONT TANK ALWAYS SHOWS EMPTY WHEN ITS FULL? (3) DRIVER SIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS CRACKED? IS THERE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE…
Complaint 10706745 · Feb 19, 2015 · 8,000 miles
I WAS ON MY WAY HOME SMELLED GAS COMING FROM THE TRUCK. I HAVE DUEL TANKS ON MY TRUCK. I JUST FILLED THE FRONT TANK, AND ONLY WENT 10 MILES AND NOTICE THE TANK WAS ON LITTLE OVER HALF FULL. SO I SWITCH TO THE BACK TANK AND IT WAS WAY OVER FULL AND GAS COMING OUT OF THE FILLER TUBE. I HAVE OWNED…
Complaint 10625850 · Aug 17, 2014 · 100,800 miles

Own a 1990 F-150?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.