Ford F-150 · model year

1990 Ford F-150

315 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash reports. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

Complaints
315
Recalls
0

The verdict

The 1990 Ford F-150 posts below-average complaint volume among its own model-year siblings.

Top 32%
fewest complaints, own model years
0
recall campaigns

The 1990FordF-150 carries 315 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 8 crashes, 35 fires, 11 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 1990 F-150 is fuel system, gasoline:storage:auxillary tank:selector devices with 48 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly (34) and fuel system, gasoline:storage:auxillary tank (17). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause.

NHTSA currently has 11 investigation files overlapping the 1990 F-150, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.

315
Complaints
8
Crashes
35
Fires
11
Injuries
0
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
1990 Ford F-150

PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.

NHTSA Overall Rating N/A
Not rated
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program overall crash-test rating.
Front Crash N/A
Not rated
Frontal barrier crash-test rating.
Side Crash N/A
Not rated
Side barrier and pole crash-test rating.
Rollover Resistance N/A
Not rated
Static stability factor + dynamic rollover test rating.
Rollover Risk N/A
Not reported
NHTSA single-vehicle rollover probability, dynamic test.

Total Complaints

315 filings

Crashes Reported

8 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES48
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY34
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK17
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH17
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP15
TIRES:TREAD/BELT12
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION11
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE11
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP10
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE9
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION9
TIRES8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH7
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP6

Recent Complaints

20210920UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

20201128FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 71,000

20200616FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

Mileage: 162,000

20190822FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 172,000

20180130POWER TRAIN

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.

Mileage: 70,627

20180112FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 163,000

20160215FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 52,000

20160113FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 42,094

20150526FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 83,000

20150415VISIBILITY

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?

Mileage: 8,000

20150415FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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?

Mileage: 8,000

20150415ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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?

Mileage: 8,000

20140817FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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 AND MY FAMILY. THANK GOD I FOUND THE PROBLEM BEFORE THAT HAPPENED. *TR

Mileage: 100,800

20110819FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

Mileage: 138,456

20110309FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GASOLINE FUEL WAS ABNORMALLY LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK AND THE REAR FUEL TANK WAS PUMPING FUEL INTO THE FRONT FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT LOCATED A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 93V125000 (FUEL SYSTEM: TANK ASSEMBLY), BUT WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE RECALL WAS EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

Mileage: 180,000

20091008FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE TWO FUEL TANKS IN HER VEHICLE. WHEN SHE ADDED FUEL TO THE INTENDED TANK, IT WOULD FORCE FUEL INTO THE AUXILIARY TANK AND LEAK OUT OF THE TANK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERY TIME FUEL WAS ADDED TO THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT RECALL #93V125000 EXPIRED; HOWEVER, THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT NO COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,236. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,000.

Mileage: 86,000

20090430FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 FORD F150. AFTER FILLING BOTH OF THE GAS TANKS IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FUEL LEVEL DECREASING. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. AFTER DRIVING FOR TEN MILES, HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE REAR GAS TANK. THE CONTACT SWITCHED THE FUEL USAGE TO THE FRONT FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, BUT THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. HE DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 01I008000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND 93V125000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BA AND AA CONNECTORS, GASKET, TWO RETAINERS, TWO FUEL FILTERS, VALVES, AND THE O RING ON THE TANK HAD ALL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $765.47. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE

Mileage: 118,000

20090430FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 FORD F150. AFTER FILLING BOTH OF THE GAS TANKS IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FUEL LEVEL DECREASING. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. AFTER DRIVING FOR TEN MILES, HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE REAR GAS TANK. THE CONTACT SWITCHED THE FUEL USAGE TO THE FRONT FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, BUT THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. HE DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 01I008000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND 93V125000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BA AND AA CONNECTORS, GASKET, TWO RETAINERS, TWO FUEL FILTERS, VALVES, AND THE O RING ON THE TANK HAD ALL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $765.47. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE

Mileage: 118,000

20081007FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 FORD F150. WHILE THE ENGINE WAS OPERATING, FUEL WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE FILLER NECK OF THE FRONT FUEL TANK IN LARGE AMOUNTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 93V125000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). THE RECALL STATES THAT 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. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 160,000. UPDATED 11/07/08 *BF UPDATED 11/13/08.*JB

Mileage: 160,000

20080407FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES

EXPERIENCING CROSS FILL BETWEEN DUAL TANKS IN 1990 FORD F150. CAN CAUSE DANGEROUS OVERFLOW AND GAS SPILL. CONTACTED LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO SAID MY TRUCK IS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL. CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY WHO SAID THAT RECALLS ARE "VIN SPECIFIC". EVEN THOUGH OTHER FORDS OF THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL, WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ARE COVERED.... MINE IS NOT. THIS IS A DANGEROUS WIDESPREAD PROBLEM FOR WHICH FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *TR

Mileage: 95,000

Compare 1990FordF-150 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

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Vehicle Safety Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1990 Ford F-150 have?▼
The 1990 Ford F-150 has 315 NHTSA complaints, 8 crashes, 35 fires, 11 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1990 Ford F-150?▼
The most-complained component for the 1990 Ford F-150 is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES with 48 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK.
Is the 1990 Ford F-150 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Data vintage: August 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.

Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 1990 Ford F-150; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.