Tl* the contact owns a 1990 ford f-250. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the contact switched from the front fuel tank to the rear fuel tank which caused the rear fuel gauge to read empty. The contact stated after filling the rear gas tank, gasoline started leaking from the front tank without warning. The contact immediately shut-off the vehicle to prevent a potential fire hazard. Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency campaign number: 93v125000 (fuel system, gasoline) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. No further assistance was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.
The worst 1990 Ford F-250 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.
- Fuel system40
- Brakes28
- Electrical14
- Transmission11
- Engine10
- Tires6
- Acceleration3
- Body3
- Steering3
- Suspension2
- Visibility2
- Lights1
- Seat belts1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1990 Ford F-250
Recalls 6
Electrical system: ignition
- 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: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 94V040000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
- 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
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 92V026000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
- 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 devices
- 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 6 recalls for the 1990 Ford F-250
Defect investigations
Dual fuel tank crossflow/leakage
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 leakage
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 line routing
There is no summary currently available
EA93026
Alternator belt failure
There is no summary currently available
EA93014
Fuel expulsion
There is no summary currently available
EA93001
Fuel expulsion
There is no summary currently available
PE92077
Loss of brake effectivenes
===
EA91044
Fuel expulsion
There is no summary currently available
EA91031
Spare tire fires
There is no summary currently available
PE91090
Loss of brake effectivenes
There is no summary currently available
PE91077
Transmission fluid fires
There is no summary currently available
PE91064
Technical service bulletins for the 1990 Ford F-250 35
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- TRANSMISSION-E40D-NO 2-3 upshift
- Transmission- E40D/4R100-1989-99-MAIN controls, separator plates and separator plate gaskets usage chart
- Information on tire company telephone numbers for customer assistance
- Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system
- Recommended guidelines for towing behind recreational vehicles
- The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes is no longer acceptable
- Some vehicles may exhibit excessive brake pedal travel, irregular front lining wear, and brake pull
- Front caliper piston boots damaged
- Announcing the ford OEM air conditioning retrofit kit availability
- Some vehicles may develop "cavitation" erosion in the cylinder wall of the engine
1990 Ford F-250 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.9L 6‑cyl | RWD | 13-15 | 14-17 | 13-15 |
| 5.0L 8‑cyl | RWD | 12-13 | 14-17 | 13-14 |
| 4.9L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 13 | 16 | 14 |
| 5.0L 8‑cyl | 4WD | 11 | 13-16 | 12-13 |
| 5.8L 8‑cyl | RWD | 10 | 14 | 12 |
| 5.8L 8‑cyl | 4WD | 10 | 14 | 12 |
What 1990 Ford F-250 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Twice I have been traveling down a street I travel often when out of no where a violent shaking has occurred in the steering wheel of my truck, as well as the entire front end of the truck. This violent shaking, I have been told, is called a death wobble and very nearly sent me head on into another car. After the first time the truck began shaking I crawled under the truck and tightened the bolts that hold each side of the independent front suspension because a couple were missing and the others had loosened. The second time the shaking occurred it felt as if it broke belts in my tires and no longer rides smooth. I checked under the truck today and the shaking has also broken the steering stabilizer off of the front axle of my truck. After looking at recalls today, it appears that there is a recall for a 1989 f-250 for front end components, but no such luck with my truck although, to the best of my knowledge, they have the same front axle and steering components. It would be nice to hear back from someone from ford regarding any recalls that would cover front end steering and suspension components of my truck.
Tl* the contact owns a 1990 ford f250. The contact stated that one of the fuel tanks failed and caused gasoline to overflow into the second tank. Resulting in a fuel leak. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic for inspection. The failure was located at the fuel cap. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure and current mileage was 127,586.
Tl* the contact owns a 1990 ford f-250. The contact stated that a days after switching one of the fuel tanks, fuel started to spew out of the filler neck. The contact stated that once the cap was release and the engine was turned off, the fuel spill could be stopped. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the return valve was stuck between the tanks, which caused fuel to enter the second tank and overflow. As a result the fuel pump failure, the jumper and the roll-over valves needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 93v125000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly). The vehicle was repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 116,105.
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
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.
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 the federal safety agency 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.
Tl*the contact owns a 1990 ford f250. While driving 45 MPH, the fuel pump failed. The contact smelled gas and noticed a gas leak. He bought a new fuel pump and replaced the bodies; however, the failure recurred. The rear fuel tank shut down and the front tank did not register on the fuel gauge. The contact purchased and installed new fuel lines, but the failure recurred. He bought new fuel lines again, but the failure continued. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 93v125000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly). He went to a few dealers and was informed that he did not fall within the time frame for the recall. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 160,000 and failure mileage was 130,000.
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 the federal safety agency 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.
Dt the federal safety agency 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.
Compare the 1990 Ford F-250
Other model years
1990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014
Questions about the 1990 Ford F-250
Is the 1990 Ford F-250 reliable?
Owners have filed 111 complaints about the 1990 Ford F-250, fewer than a typical F-250 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1990 Ford F-250?
Fuel and propulsion system, with 40 complaints, typically around 127,586 miles. Next is brakes (28).
How many recalls does the 1990 Ford F-250 have?
6 recalls, covering electrical system, fuel system, gasoline and service brakes, hydraulic.
Was there a recall on the 1990 Ford F-250 fuel system?
Yes, 3 recalls: 94V040000, 93V125000, 89V141000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford F-250 have the most fuel system problems?
The Ford F-250 model years with the most fuel system complaints are 1999 (41 complaints), 1990 (40 complaints) and 1993 (37 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Ford F-250 get?
Official estimates for the 1990 Ford F-250 range from 12 to 15 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.9L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 13-15 city and 14-17 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1990 Ford F-250?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history