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1990 Ford F-250Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 111 owner complaints about the 1990 Ford F-250, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 6 safety recalls.

51
CarFlaw IndexSolid year4% below the F-250 median · #17 of 31 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Free fix at dealersOwner complaints11119 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage122kFuel system, gasoline, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 9, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1990 Ford F-250 has problems

111 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, gasoline374
Service brakes, hydraulic272
Electrical system147
Power train111
Engine and engine cooling104
Tires60
Structure30
Vehicle speed control30
Steering31
8 other systems111

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

6 recalls

1990 Ford F-250 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

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 94V-040 · Feb 23, 1994 · 89,770 vehicles

Risk. ABRASION OF THE STEEL TUBE WALL THAT EVENTUALLY CAUSES A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT IN A FIRE, IF A SOURCE OF IGNITION IS PRESENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Drum: shoes/linings

Recall 92V-026 · Mar 3, 1992 · 467,000 vehicles

Risk. INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES AND INABLILITY TO HOLDVEHICLES ON A STEEP GRADE RESULTS IN INCREASED RISK OF ACCIDENT IN THE EVENT OFA SUDDEN STOP OR WHEN…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
–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.

Best & worst years

1990 vs. every other F-250 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-250 median. How we score

'67'68'69'70'72'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
11 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1990 Ford F-250, 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. FUEL EXPULSIONEA93001 · closed Aug 20, 1993
    Led to recall 93V-125
  4. ALTERNATOR BELT FAILUREEA93014 · closed Jul 29, 1994
    No recall
  5. FUEL LINE ROUTINGEA93026 · closed Feb 28, 1994
    Led to recall 94V-040
  6. DUAL FUEL TANK CROSSFLOW/LEAKAGEEA99032 · closed Dec 6, 2001
    Led to recall 01I008000
  7. TRANSMISSION FLUID FIRESPE91064 · closed Jul 5, 1991
    No recall
  8. LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENESPE91077 · closed Oct 31, 1991
    No recall
  9. SPARE TIRE FIRESPE91090 · closed Oct 25, 1991
    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-250 owners report

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT SWITCHED FROM THE FRONT FUEL TANK TO THE REAR FUEL TANK WHICH CAUSED THE REAR FUEL GAUGE TO READ EMPTY. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER FILLING THE REAR GAS TANK, GASOLINE STARTED LEAKING FROM THE FRONT TANK…
Complaint 11373783 · Nov 9, 2020 · 143,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A DAYS AFTER SWITCHING ONE OF THE FUEL TANKS, FUEL STARTED TO SPEW OUT OF THE FILLER NECK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE CAP WAS RELEASE AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, THE FUEL SPILL COULD BE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE…
Complaint 10441814 · Dec 30, 2011 · 116,105 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 FORD F250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAP WAS RUSTED AND LEAKING GAS. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE FAILURE…
Complaint 10399824 · May 10, 2011

Own a 1990 F-250?

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