1990 Ford F150: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 253 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is fuel system, gasoline (51% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2001
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 253 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1990 ford f-150. The contact stated that gasoline fuel was abnormally leaking from the fuel tank and the rear fuel tank was pumping fuel into the front fuel tank. The contact located a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 93v125000 (fuel system: tank assembly), but was informed by the manufacturer that the recall was expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 180,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 1990 ford f150. The contact stated that there were two fuel tanks in her vehicle. When she added fuel to the intended tank, it would force fuel into the auxiliary tank and leak out of the tank. The failure occurred every time fuel was added to the vehicle. The dealer stated that recall #93v125000 expired; however, they would repair the vehicle at no cost. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current mileage was 86,236. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1990 ford f150. While the engine was operating, fuel was leaking out of the filler neck of the front fuel tank in large amounts. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and they referenced NHTSA campaign id number 93v125000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly). The recall states that a malfunctioning check valve within the fuel pump assembly causes a portion of the unused fuel from one tank to be returned to the second tank. When this occurs, the capacity of the second tank can be exceeded, causing fuel spillage. The current and failure mileages were less than 160,000. Updated 11/07/08 *bf updated 11/13/08.*jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Oct 2008
Show 7 more owner reports
“Fuel tanks transfer fuel quantities from one to the other. This has already resulted in one instance of fuel overflow and as a result owner no longer fills both tanks at the same time. Owner does understand a recall has been ordered for this defect but does not have proper information to proceed with repairs. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1990 ford f150. The contact stated that there was fuel leakage when he filled the fuel tank. The mechanic stated that the front tank leaked fuel into the rear tank which caused the rear tank to leak. They stated that fuel pump sender assembly needs to be replaced. There is a recall for the fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly (NHTSA campaign id #93v125000) however the manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 102,000 and current mileage was 104,000. Updated 01/29/08 *lj. Updated 01/29/08 *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1990 ford f150. When the engine shut off, the vehicle continued to run. The dealer informed the contact that his vehicle was not a part of recall number 96v071000 (for the ignition) and he would not inspect the vehicle. The failure mileage was 89,000 and the current mileage was 90,000. The purchase date of the vehicle was unknown.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1990 ford f150. The contact stated that there is an overflow of gas in the rear tank from the front tank. When this occurs, the second tank reaches its maximum capacity and causes fuel spillage. This failure has occurred approximately five times. The dealer has not inspected the vehicle to determine the cause of failure. There was a recall # 93v125000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly) for this failure in 1990. The contact stated that his vehicle was serviced for this recall in 1993. The current mileage is 145,000 and the failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1990 ford f150. The contact stated that there was safety recall # 01i008000, which had been extended 12 years. However, the dealer and manufacturer stated that no recall existed. All the contact knew was that the vehicle was leaking fluid. The current and failure mileage were 120,000. *ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1990 ford f150. The contact stated that the vehicle is leaking gasoline. The vehicle is experiencing the same failure as noted in recall #'s 89v141000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:auxiliary tank:selector devices), # 93v125000 ( fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly), and # 01i008000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer stated that the VIN was included in the recalls, however, his vehicle was unable to get repaired free of charge due to the elapsed time frame. The engine size was unavailable. The current mileage is 78,000 and failure mileage was 77,000. Updated 06/08/07. *jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 2007
“Experiencing cross fill between dual tanks in 1990 ford f150. Can cause dangerous overflow and gas spill. Contacted local ford dealer who said my truck is not covered under recall. Contacted ford motor company who said that recalls are "VIN specific". Even though other fords of the same year and model, with the same problem are covered.... Mine is not. This is a dangerous widespread problem for which ford should be held accountable. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE SNAP RING THAT LOCATES THE PARK GEAR ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION MAY FRACTURE.
Remedy: INSTALL IMPROVED SNAP RING AND REVISED TRANSMISSION EXTENSION HOUSING.
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1990-1993 FORD F-SERIES VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DUAL FUEL TANKS AND 4.9, 5.0,5.8, OR 7.5 LITER GASOLINE FUELED ENGINES. SOME VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE A CROSS TANK FUEL FLOW CONDITION DUE TO A DAMAGED CHECK VALVE IN THE FUEL PUMP/SENDER ASSEMBLY. FUEL MAY BE SUPPLIED FROM ONE TANK AND SOME OR ALL OF THE UNUSED FUEL MAY BE RETURNED TO THE OTHER TANK.
Remedy: FORD IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FOR POTENTIAL FUEL CROSS-FLOW TO 12 YEARS OF SERVICE OR 150,000 MILES FROM THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY START DATE, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. THIS COVER WILL AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFER TO SUBSEQUENT OWNERS AT NO CHARGE. IF A VEHICLE ALREADY HAS MORE THAN 150,000 MILES, THIS OVERAGE WILL LAST UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2001. IF THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING A FUEL CROSS-FLOW CONDITION, DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE CONDITION FREE OF CHARGE.
A MALFUNCTIONING CHECK VALVE WITHIN THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY CAUSES A PORTION OF THE UNUSED FUEL FROM ONE TANK TO BE RETURNED TO THE SECOND TANK. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE CAPACITY OF THE SECOND TANK CAN BE EXCEEDED, CAUSING FUEL SPILLAGE.
Remedy: REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR AND INSTALLATION OF REDUNDANT CHECK VALVES.
INCORRECTLY INSTALLED FUEL LINE CONNECTORS HAVE FUEL SUPPLY AND RETURN LINES CROSSED.
Remedy: REPLACE FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY.
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
Check your exact F150 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1990 Ford F150 reliable?
NHTSA has 253 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1990 Ford F150. The most complained-about area is fuel system, gasoline (51% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1990 Ford F150 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 102,000 miles or less.
Does the 1990 Ford F150 have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl). Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.