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1991 Ford F-150Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 304 owner complaints about the 1991 Ford F-150, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

74
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years64% below the F-150 median · #33 of 42 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints30461 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage111kFuel system, gasoline, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 8, 2025. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1991 Ford F-150 has problems

304 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, gasoline1495
Electrical system5033
Service brakes, hydraulic231
Engine and engine cooling176
Tires140
Power train133
Vehicle speed control103
Structure80
Steering71
12 other systems305

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

3 recalls

1991 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

Steering: steering wheel/handle bar

Recall 93V-066 · Apr 27, 1993 · 2,419 vehicles

Risk. THE LODGED KEYS CAN CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHICHCAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING USED ON THE HIGHWAY.

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?

111kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 27 fuel system, gasoline complaints. 30% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 13% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
0under 30k miles8under 100k miles19100k miles or more
Best & worst years

1991 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
12 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1991 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. IDLE AIR SPD CTRL VLV MALFEA93022 · closed Aug 31, 1994
    No recall
  6. DUAL FUEL TANK CROSSFLOW/LEAKAGEEA99032 · closed Dec 6, 2001
    Led to recall 00V-424
  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. IDLE AIR SPD CTRL VLV MALFPE93010 · closed Jul 30, 1993
    No recall
  12. 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.

The contact owns a 1991 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear fuel tank gauge began indicating that the rear tank was losing fuel abnormally fast. After a visual inspection, the contact observed that fuel was flowing from the rear fuel tank into the…
Complaint 11653547 · Apr 8, 2025 · 112,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE OF THE TANKS IN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT WORK AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE DETAILS OF THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST COULD NOT BE PROVIDED. THE VIN WAS NOT…
Complaint 10916762 · Oct 18, 2016 · 123,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY CAUSED A PORTION OF THE UNUSED FUEL FROM ONE TANK TO BE RETURNED TO THE SECOND TANK. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE CAPACITY OF THE SECOND TANK WAS EXCEEDED AND WOULD CAUSE FUEL SPILLAGE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED…
Complaint 10587770 · May 12, 2014 · 96,000 miles

Own a 1991 F-150?

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