1990 Ford F-150: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
17 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
83,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 17 complaints (35.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 47.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 11.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.9% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.9% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 5.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Fuel System, Gasoline: 5; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 1; Power Train: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 4
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2000: 2; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2011: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 2; 2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000356 · 2002-12-24 (December 24, 2002)
FUEL OVERFILL OUT OF GAS CAP OF THE REAR TANK. THIS IS THE PROBLEM ON FORD 1990 F150 SAFETY RECALL. FORD EXTENDS THE REPAIR SERVICE TO 150,000 MILES. MY FORD IS 155,000 MILES. THIS IS SAFETY PROBLEM AND FORD SHOULD EXTEND THE SERVICE TO COVER MORE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP.
Owner-reported narrative. 155,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000356 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018585 · 2003-05-12 (May 12, 2003)
THE WIRING HARNESS/ALTERNATOR PLUG CONNECTION IS KNOWN TO SHOW REPEATED INSTANCES OF BURNING,ARCING,MELTING AND VEHICLE FIRES. I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS AFTER THIS PART CAUSED A SMALL FIRE IN OUR F150 FORD 1990 TRUCK ON SATURDAY, MAY 10, 2003. A NOTICE INFORMING US ABOUT THIS RECURRING PROBLEM CAME WITH THE NEW ALTERNATOR. THE WIRES/PLUG CONNECTION MELTED AND CAUSED THE ALTERNATOR TO START ON FIRE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND I WOULD LIKE YOUR AGENCY TO LOOK INTO THIS HAZARD. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 76,696 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018585 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10061626 · 2004-04-08 (April 8, 2004)
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A FUEL LEAK PROBLEM. FUEL WAS RUNNING FROM THE FRONT TANK TO THE BACK TANK, CAUSING FUEL TO SPILL OUT OF THE FUEL TUBE AND SPILL ON THE GROUND. THE FUEL SPILLS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING .CONSUMER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL THEY WILL NOT HELP HIM. CONSUMER HAS NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO A DEALER BECAUSE HE COULD REPAIR VEHICLE BY HIMSELF SELF, BUT FELT THAT MANUFACTURER HAD ON OBLIGATION TO REPAIR IT. *AK *LA
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10061626 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10420709 · 2011-08-19 (August 19, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE SAW FUEL LEAKING OUT OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,456.
Owner-reported narrative. 138,456 miles reported. Look up ODI 10420709 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10625850 · 2014-08-17 (August 17, 2014)
I WAS ON MY WAY HOME SMELLED GAS COMING FROM THE TRUCK. I HAVE DUEL TANKS ON MY TRUCK. I JUST FILLED THE FRONT TANK, AND ONLY WENT 10 MILES AND NOTICE THE TANK WAS ON LITTLE OVER HALF FULL. SO I SWITCH TO THE BACK TANK AND IT WAS WAY OVER FULL AND GAS COMING OUT OF THE FILLER TUBE. I HAVE OWNED THIS TRUCK FROM NEW AND HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE TO BRING IN THE TRUCK FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE TANKS RUNNING OVER. FORD DID PUT OUT A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM BY ADDING OUTSIDE CHECK VALVES TO THE TANKS F3TA-9J274-AA, I COULD HAVE BEEN BURNED OR BLOWN UP A…
Owner-reported narrative. 100,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10625850 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10706745 · 2015-02-19 (February 19, 2015)
THE TRUCK HAS 9000 ACTUAL MILES ON IT NOW, BUT I FAIL TO UNDERSTAND (1) WHY THE WINDSHIELD LEAKS AND THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN STORED UNDER A CARPORT? (2) FUEL GAUGE ON FRONT TANK ALWAYS SHOWS EMPTY WHEN ITS FULL? (3) DRIVER SIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS CRACKED? IS THERE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE RELATED TO THE ABOVE ISSUES?
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10706745 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10721405 · 2015-05-26 (May 26, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 FORD F-150. WHILED STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, ANOTHER DRIVER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS FLUID LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 83,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10721405 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10820107 · 2016-01-13 (January 13, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE, THE FUEL WAS LEAKING EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CROSSOVER VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 93V125000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,094.
Owner-reported narrative. 42,094 miles reported. Look up ODI 10820107 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.