1990 Ford F250: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 107 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is fuel system, gasoline (32% 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 107 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 mileage was unknown. Updated 06/07/11*lj the consumer stated the strap was not rusted, but it did wear a hole in the gas tank. Updated 06/23/11”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 2011
“I am the owner of a 1990 f-250, basically began smelling a fuel odor coming from the trucks cab while driving. Looked at the underside of the truck and found a small gas leak at the fuel lines under the pinch weld. Exact same issue as 94v040000, have not fixed problem because ford cannot find this issue on there system. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2010
“Tl* the contact owns a 1990 ford f250. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from at a traffic light, the vehicle felt as if it were traveling over a large amount of liquid. The contact observed excessive fuel leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be duplicated. The contact believed NHTSA campaign id number:01i008000(fuel system, gasoline) to be directly related to the failure. The manufacturer stated that his VIN was not included in the recall and would not provide any further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 112,209 and the approximate current mileage was 120,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 2009
Show 7 more owner reports
“Dt*: the contact stated when the vehicle was using the front fuel tank, the fuel was exhausted quickly. Fuel also leaked out of the rear tank. The vehicle was taken to a private repair shop who determined that the check valve had malfunctioned. There were no immediate repairs made. There was a NHTSA recall # 93v125000, which pertained to the fuel tank assembly. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. Updated 09/19/06. *jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 2006
“Dt NHTSA recall 92v026000 was issued. However, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. My brakes failed. The dealer has not looked at the vehicle because they would charge the consumer for the repairs. Contacted ford, they gave the run around. There was no warning before the brakes went out. The brake fluid was over heating. The brake pedal went down to the floor. Had to use emergency brake, and the brakes on the boat that I was towing. This happened on friday august 12, 2005. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Aug 2005
“Driver's side seat belt disconnected while driving. Consumer took vehicle to dealer for analysis, and mechanic determined that a replacement part was needed. But the consumer would pay $350.00 for that part.*ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2004
“Gas is leaking into the front tank, it doesn't stop the vehicle from operating, but it is a danger if consumer continues to drive it. Vehicle has been checked before for the same problem, but currently dealer is asking for payment due to the age of the vehicle.*ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Diesel · Oct 2003
“While traveling on the highway and without prior warning consumer flipped the switch to switch from the first tank to the second tank and vehicle caught on fire. *ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 2003
“Fuel pump motor continued to run, after the engine was shut off. The consumer disconnected battery. Apple ford replaced the relay part but claimed the part was not covered by recall. *ak *cb *jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · May 2003
“The consumer received a recall notice (NHTSA # 01i008000) a few months ago, however the dealer refused to honor the recall. *jb *ts”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
A REVISED BRAKE LINING NOISE INSULATOR RESULTED IN A DECREASE IN THE THERMAL INSULATION BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINING AND THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER PISTON. THIS CAUSED GREATER HEAT TRANSFER TO THE CALIPER PISTONS WITH THE POTENTIAL TO OVERHEAT THE BRAKE FLUID AND DIMINISH BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS DURING SEVERE BRAKING CONDITIONS.
Remedy: ADD SNAP-IN INSULATORS THAT ATTACH TO EACH OF THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER PISTONS. IN ADDITION, VEHICLES WITH 7.5 L ENGINES WILL HAVE INSULATION ADDED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BRAKE LINES.
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.
THE STEEL FUEL RETURN TUBES THAT CONNECT THE FRAME FUEL RETURN LINES WITH THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL CAN CONTACT THE PINCH WELD FLANGE CONNECTING THE DASH PANEL TO THE FLOOR PAN. CONTINUED CONTACT LEADS TO ABRASION OF THE STEEL FUEL RETURN TUBE AND EVENTUALLY RESULTS IN A FUEL LEAK.
Remedy: FORD DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RETURN TUBES WITH FLEXIBLE STAINLESS STEEL BRAIDED/TEFLON TUBES. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE FUEL SUPPLY TUBES.
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 F250 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 F250 reliable?
NHTSA has 107 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 1990 Ford F250. The most complained-about area is fuel system, gasoline (32% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1990 Ford F250 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 113,855 miles or less.
Does the 1990 Ford F250 have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:drum:shoes/linings. 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.