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1990 Ford F-350Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 39 owner complaints about the 1990 Ford F-350, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 6 safety recalls.

73
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years63% below the F-350 median · #22 of 27 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Free fix at dealersOwner complaints396 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem15Service brakes, hydraulic

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 15, 2005. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1990 Ford F-350 has problems

39 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
Service brakes, hydraulic151
Engine and engine cooling91
Fuel system, gasoline90
Power train51
Electrical system42
Suspension20
Tires20
Visibility10
Seat belts10
2 other systems20

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

6 recalls

1990 Ford F-350 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-350 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-350 median. How we score

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

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1990 Ford F-350, 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. DUAL FUEL TANK CROSSFLOW/LEAKAGEEA99032 · closed Dec 6, 2001
    Led to recall 01I008000
  6. TRNSMSSION PARK GEAR FAILPE90056 · closed Jun 12, 1990
    Led to recall 90V-101
  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. HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE CRACKS/LEAKSPE94004 · closed Apr 29, 1994
    No recall
In owners' words

What F-350 owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING COMING DOWN A MOUNTAIN THE BRAKE FAILED. TT CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE NEEDS A HEAT SHIELD AND INSULATION ON BRAKE HOSES, A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON SOME FORD 350'S BECAUSE OF BRAKE AND FIRE PROBLEMS, HOWEVER THIS UNIT WAS NOT INCLUDED. *SLC
Complaint 972747 · Oct 2, 1995
ABS: WHEN MAKING PANIC STOP, HAVE TO PUSH DOWN HARD ON PEDAL TO STOP VEHICLE; CAUSES EXTENDED STOPPING; COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT, MAKING AN EMERGNCY STOP. TT
Complaint 972426 · Sep 25, 1995
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER/ BOOSTER PUMP/BRAKE BOOSTER, FRONT CALIPERS AND BRAKE SHOES.
Complaint 826735 · Aug 14, 1998

Own a 1990 F-350?

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