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1990 Ford F-150 problems

The most common problem on the 1990 Ford F-150 is fuel and propulsion system, typically around 110,000 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical F-150 model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
274
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
40
Worst area
Fuel system
Fuel economy
12-16mpg

The worst 1990 Ford F-150 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1990 Ford F-150

Fuel pump 30Fuel leak 28Fire or smoke 18Fuel smell 6ABS 5Stalling 5Tire blowout 5

Recalls 4

Electrical system: ignitionReported April 25, 1996 · 7,900,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Risk
This condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the ignition switch.

Recall number 96V071000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assemblyReported August 2, 1993 · 1,131,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 93V125000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)Reported June 1, 1990 · 111,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Under certain conditions, the snap ring that locates the park gear on the output shaft of the transmission may fracture.
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. This could result in an accident.
Remedy
Install improved snap ring and revised transmission extension housing.

Recall number 90V101000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: auxillary tank: selector devicesReported August 15, 1989 · 1,100 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Incorrectly installed fuel line connectors have fuel supply and return lines crossed.
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.
Remedy
Replace fuel line assembly.

Recall number 89V141000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 1990 Ford F-150

Defect investigations

Dual fuel tank crossflow/leakageOpened November 4, 1999, closed December 6, 2001

On july 14, 1993 ford filed a defect information report concerning fuel tank cross flow leakage on f-series light trucks and cab chassis built from july 22, 1989 through december 17, 1992.the remedy was to replace the fuel pressure regulator and install a check valve between each fuel supply line and fuel tank (2) to repair the supply side fuel cross flow problem (recall 93v‑125).odi opened rq98-008 on may 29, 1998 because of the large number of alleged remedy failures and reports of fuel cross flow on vehicles outside of the recall population.based onthe information received from ford on august 11, september 30, and december 15, 1998, and the increasing trend of remedy failures and out of scope crossflow reports, odi opened ea99-032 on november 4, 1999.the attached engineering analysis closing report fully describes the results of this investigation and reason for closing.the subject vehicles can experience fuel transfer from one tank to the other due to malfunctions in the fuel system.when fuel is pumped or returned to the non-operating tank (cross flow), the capacity of the non-operating tank can be exceeded, causing fuel to overflow past the filler cap, creating a fire potential.

EA99032

Ford f-series dual fuel tank leakageOpened May 29, 1998, closed November 4, 1999

These vehicles can experience fuel transfer from one tank to the other due to a malfunctioning fuel pump.from the information gathered to date, it appears that there can be multiple causes and/or a combination of causes for fuel cross flow and that the recall remedy may be inadequate.further investigation is needed.this investigation is upgraded to ea99-032.click on document search button for additional information.

RQ98008

Fuel expulsionOpened January 7, 1993, closed August 20, 1993

There is no summary currently available

EA93001

Fuel expulsionOpened September 9, 1992, closed January 7, 1993

There is no summary currently available

PE92077

Front seat back failureOpened August 27, 1992, closed October 29, 1993

There is no summary currently available

EA92029

Fnt reclning seat bck failOpened April 17, 1992, closed August 27, 1992

There is no summary currently available

PE92042

Loss of brake effectivenesOpened October 30, 1991, closed October 30, 1992

===

EA91044

Fuel expulsionOpened June 26, 1991, closed November 1, 1991

There is no summary currently available

EA91031

Loss of brake effectivenesOpened May 23, 1991, closed October 31, 1991

There is no summary currently available

PE91077

Transmission fluid firesOpened April 9, 1991, closed July 5, 1991

There is no summary currently available

PE91064

Ford truck inconsistent vehicle control.Opened November 27, 1990, closed April 17, 1991

See close resume

PE91017

Technical service bulletins for the 1990 Ford F-150 40

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 40 bulletins for the 1990 Ford F-150

1990 Ford F-150 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
4.9L 6‑cylRWD13-1515-1814-16
4.9L 6‑cyl4WD13-1515-1714-15
5.0L 8‑cylRWD12-1314-1713-14
5.0L 8‑cyl4WD11-1212-1612-14
5.8L 8‑cylRWD111512
5.8L 8‑cyl4WD101512

What 1990 Ford F-150 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 20, 2021 · CO

Unknown component(s) failure causes vehicle to stall at speed that vary, fuel supply is sufficient and battery good, no indication that stall is imminent. Varying time lapses allow restart and normal driving. Ammeter and temp gauges normal. Re-start may occur immediately or several hours. Online search reveal this to be common with F150 1990-1995. I drive Colorado state highways that often have no shoulder to stop on and 60 mph limit is rarely observed by speeding motorists along with following too closely or too fast for conditions which has caused great concern for safety with stalled vehicle in traffic lane. Nighttime hazards with deer, elk and no street or road lighting does not slow traffic in general. Slept in vehicle after incident last Saturday night barely off the road, tried re-starts often twice started then stalled and manually pushed truck back to shoulder that had space. Nearest populated area approx 40 miles.

Filed Nov 28, 2020 · Fuel system · 71,000 miles · CO

Replace front fuel pump, and have been using that tank exclusively as it starts and runs better than the rear. This morning I noticed fuel leaking from the rear tank, which was half full when I started using the front tank. I opened the filler neck and gas was spilling out. I turned the key to start position and the rear tank showed completely full. The return line from the front tank has been return unused fuel to the rear tank, causing it to overflow.

Filed Jun 16, 2020 · Fuel system · 162,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 1990 ford f-150. The contact stated fuel leaked from one tank into the other tank and caused the vehicle to jerk without warning. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and switched the fuel button to the other tank. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 162,000.

Filed Aug 22, 2019 · Fuel system · 172,000 miles · ME

Tl* the contact owns a 1990 ford f-150. The contact noticed a strong fuel odor outside the vehicle and inside while driving various speeds. Also, while examining the vehicle and opening the fuel tank, the fuel poured out. Quirk ford of augusta (7 water st, hallowell, me 04347, (207) 430-1600) was contacted and stated that there was no remedy for the failure. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 172,000.

Filed Jan 30, 2018 · Transmission · 70,627 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 1990 ford f-150. The contact stated that the gear shifted out of the park position intermittently while parked on an incline. Whenever the vehicle shifted out of gear, it rolled forward until the emergency brake was engaged. The vehicle stopped moving when it rolled into a curb. The failure occurred twice since the vehicle was purchased on january 16, 2018. An unknown dealer was contacted and stated that there was an open manufacturer's recall (90s10) for the transmission; however, the VIN tool indicated there were no open recalls. The manufacturer was notified by the dealer and stated that the parts were no longer available to complete the open transmission recall. The failure mileage was approximately 70,627.

Filed Jan 12, 2018 · Fuel system · 163,000 miles · NE

Tl* the contact owns a 1990 ford f-150. While filling up the front fuel tank, the contact stated that the fuel from the front entered the rear fuel tank, which caused the rear fuel tank to overflow. The dealer (baxtor ford south, 9203 s 145th st, omaha, ne 68318) stated that there was no recall on the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and unable to provide assistance. The failure mileage was 163,000.

Filed Feb 15, 2016 · Fuel system · 52,000 miles · SC

I had filled my truck up and fuel started to pour out from somewhere out of the gas tank I didn't know what was going on I stop this guy & he had a jug he caught some of the gas I was hoping didn't no one throw a cig. Cause we would have been threw this was march 14, 2015 & it also happened in 2012 I was riding then someone told me my truck was leaking.

Filed Jan 13, 2016 · Fuel system · 42,094 miles · CO

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 the federal safety agency campaign number: 93v125000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,094.

Filed May 26, 2015 · Fuel system · 83,000 miles · MI

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.

Filed Feb 19, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 8,000 miles · VA

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?

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Compare the 1990 Ford F-150

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Other model years

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Questions about the 1990 Ford F-150

Is the 1990 Ford F-150 reliable?

Owners have filed 274 complaints about the 1990 Ford F-150, fewer than a typical F-150 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1990 Ford F-150?

Fuel and propulsion system, with 147 complaints, typically around 110,000 miles. Next is electrical (37).

How many recalls does the 1990 Ford F-150 have?

4 recalls, covering electrical system, fuel system, gasoline and power train.

Was there a recall on the 1990 Ford F-150 fuel system?

Yes, 2 recalls: 93V125000, 89V141000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford F-150 have the most fuel system problems?

The Ford F-150 model years with the most fuel system complaints are 1993 (287 complaints), 1997 (246 complaints) and 1992 (245 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1990 Ford F-150 get?

Official estimates for the 1990 Ford F-150 range from 12 to 16 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.9L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 13-15 city and 15-18 highway.

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