1990 Ford F250: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
68 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
113,855 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 68 complaints (14.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 19 | 27.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 16 | 23.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 5.9% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 5.9% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 5.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 4.4% |
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 System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 10 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 7 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank:Selector Devices | 6 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 3 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal | 3 |
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 10; Fuel System, Gasoline: 7; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank:Selector Devices: 6; Electrical System:Ignition: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 5; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 3; Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 58 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 16 |
| 1996 | 11 |
| 2000 | 9 |
| 2001 | 9 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
1995: 16; 1996: 11; 2000: 9; 2001: 9; 2002: 2; 2003: 10; 2004: 2; 2005: 4; 2006: 1; 2008: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 16 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 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 10004066 · 2003-01-16 (January 16, 2003)
THE SPARE TIRE IS TOO CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST PIPE, AND HAS LOST TWO TIRES DUE TO THE EXHAUST PIPE BURNING HOLES IN THE TIRE. THE SPARE TIRE IS LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE REAR FUEL TANK. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PH SCC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004066 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004354 · 2003-01-22 (January 22, 2003)
CONSUMERS VEHICLE WIL SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004354 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006840 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)
FIRE BROKE OUT IN THE DASHBOARD.THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE IGNITION, HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS INFORMED VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 115,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006840 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015645 · 2003-04-10 (April 10, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH DUAL GAS TANKS, THE DEALER REPLACED THE PUMP, ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND SENSOR. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *JB....*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015645 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017332 · 2003-04-22 (April 22, 2003)
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (NHTSA # 01I008000) A FEW MONTHS AGO, HOWEVER THE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL. *JB *TS
Owner-reported narrative. 75,750 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017332 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021923 · 2003-07-11 (July 11, 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-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021923 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023536 · 2003-06-22 (June 22, 2003)
TREAD SEPARATION. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10023536 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032180 · 2003-08-05 (August 5, 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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10032180 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
89V141000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank:Selector Devices
Reported: 1989-08-15 (August 15, 1989)
INCORRECTLY INSTALLED FUEL LINE CONNECTORS HAVE FUEL SUPPLY AND RETURN LINES CROSSED.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: REPLACE FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗90V101000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
Reported: 1990-06-01 (June 1, 1990)
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE SNAP RING THAT LOCATES THE PARK GEAR ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION MAY FRACTURE.
Consequence: 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. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL IMPROVED SNAP RING AND REVISED TRANSMISSION EXTENSION HOUSING.
NHTSA campaign record ↗92V026000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum:Shoes/Linings
Reported: 1992-03-03 (March 3, 1992)
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.
Consequence: 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 CONSTANT BRAKING IS NEEDED TO MANEUVER THROUGH AREAS WITHSTEEP GRADES.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗93V125000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
Reported: 1993-08-02 (August 2, 1993)
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.
Consequence: SPILLED FUEL CAN RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO ASOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy: REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR AND INSTALLATION OF REDUNDANT CHECK VALVES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗94V040000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1994-02-23 (February 23, 1994)
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.
Consequence: ABRASION OF THE STEEL TUBE WALL THAT EVENTUALLY CAUSES A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT IN A FIRE, IF A SOURCE OF IGNITION IS PRESENT.
Remedy: FORD DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RETURN TUBES WITH FLEXIBLE STAINLESS STEEL BRAIDED/TEFLON TUBES. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE FUEL SUPPLY TUBES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V071000 · Electrical System:Ignition
Reported: 1996-04-25 (April 25, 1996)
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA campaign record ↗