FORD F250 · model year

1990 FORD F250

129 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1990FORDF250 carries 129 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 14 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1990 F250 is fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly with 13 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (9) and fuel system, gasoline:storage:auxillary tank:selector devices (8). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 1990 F250, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

129
Complaints
6
Crashes
14
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

129 filings

Crashes Reported

6 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY13
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP9
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES8
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE8
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS6
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION6
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL3

Recent Complaints

20110510FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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

20110510FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

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

20100505FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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. *TR

Mileage: 137,255

20100505FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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. *TR

Mileage: 137,255

20100414FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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 NHTSA 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.

Mileage: 112,209

20080123FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

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 NHTSA 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.

Mileage: 130,000

20060822FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

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 NHTSA 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. *JB

Mileage: 122,000

20050815SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

DT NHTSA 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. *AK

Mileage: 69,000

20050318FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

CONSUMER CONCERNED ABOUT RECALL ON 1990 FORD F250 FUEL TANK. *BF THE VEHICLE'S FRONT TANK PUSHED FUEL TO THE REAR TANK WHICH CAUSED IT TO OVERFLOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY WHO FOUND RECALL 93S68 WHICH REFERENCED THAT FAILURE. THE CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT HE WAS OVER THE MILEAGE AND TIME ALLOTTED FOR THE RECALL. THE INDEPENDENT DEALER REPLACED THE FAULTY CHECK VALVE, REGULATOR AND FUEL PUMP BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE OVERFLOW CONDITION. *NM

Mileage: 61,067

20050217FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

THE TRUCK FRONT FUEL TANK FILLED THE REAR TANK AND CAUSED IT TO OVER FLOW. *BF THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT HE NEVER RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE FOR THE FUEL TANK CHECK VALVE PROBLEM. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RECALLED COMPONENT BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, RETURN LINE CHECK VALVE BUT THE FUEL LEAKAGE CONTINUED. *NM

20050217FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES

I HAVE A 1990 FORD F250 WITH DUEL GAS TANKS. THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS THE TRUCK WOULD DIE FOR WHAT SEEMED LIKE NO OBVIOUS REASON. I HAD A DIAGNOSTIC DONE TO NO AVAIL. THE TRUCK WOULD RUN FINE COLD, BUT ONCE IT GOT HOT IT WOULD DIE. FINALLY I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE FOUND IT WAS THE TANK SELECTOR SWITCH WHICH LETS ME CHOOSE THE FRONT OR REAR GAS TANK. THIS FIRST SWITCH COST ME $300.00 TO FIX. ITS BEEN ABOUT 8 MONTHS SINCE THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED. IT JUST WENT OUT AGAIN. THIS TIME I REPLACED IT MYSELF WITH A SWITCH FROM A FORD DEALER. WHEN I UNHOOKED THE SWITCH FROM THE HARNESS IT WAS MELTED ON THE INSIDE OF THE SWITCH AND THE HARNESS WAS ALMOST UNUSABLE. I WENT TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THE SALES CLERK SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BECAUSE HE SELLS THESE SWITCHES A LOT AND THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME HE HEARD OF THE SWITCH MELTING. THIS IS A FIRE WAITING TO HAPPEN. FORD SHOULD RECALL THIS PART AND FIX THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM. *JB

20040831FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

REFERENCE NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 93V125000 RECALL # 93S68. (1) THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN ABOUT ONE HOUR - WHILE PARKING IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE ON THE STREET, I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE. I WAS RUNNING ON THE BACK TANK AND QUICKLY SWITCHED TO THE FRONT TANK. AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE IGNITION AND EXITING VEHICLE I SAW GASOLINE SPILLING OUT OF THE FRONT TANK FROM UNDER THE CAP (STILL ON). THIS CONTINUED FOR SOME 5-10 SECONDS AND THEN STOPPED. WHEN I LOOSENED THE CAP, THE FLOW OF GASOLINE RESTARTED - AND STOPPED AGAIN WHEN CAP WAS TIGHTENED BACK DOWN. (2) THANKFULLY, THE FAILURE DID NOT RESULT IN FIRE OR LOSS OF PROPERTY - ONLY FUEL LOSS AND PERSONAL ANXIETY AND EXPENSE. (3) WEB RESEARCH REVEALED THE ABOVE RECALL AND WHEN SPEAKING TO A FMC REPRESENTATIVE AT THE HOTLINE I WAS ADVISED THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD RECEIVED THE RECALL REPAIR. I WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT THE WARRANTY PERIOD HAD EXPIRED DEC.31, 2001 AND I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY REPAIRS. WHEN PRESENTED TO THE DEALERS

Mileage: 198,200

20040122SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DISCONNECTED WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT A REPLACEMENT PART WAS NEEDED. BUT THE CONSUMER WOULD PAY $350.00 FOR THAT PART.*AK

20031206FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES

MY FORD F250 (1990) IS LEAKING GAS AND I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A RECALL. WHY HAVEN'T I RECEIVED A NOTICE? *LA

20031006FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

GAS IS LEAKING INTO THE FRONT TANK, IT DOESN'T STOP THE VEHICLE FROM OPERATING, BUT IT IS A DANGER IF CONSUMER CONTINUES TO DRIVE IT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN CHECKED BEFORE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT CURRENTLY DEALER IS ASKING FOR PAYMENT DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE.*AK

20030805FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES

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

20030622TIRES:TREAD/BELT

TREAD SEPARATION. *NLM

20030530FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

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

Mileage: 90,000

20030422FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (NHTSA # 01I008000) A FEW MONTHS AGO, HOWEVER THE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL. *JB *TS

Mileage: 75,750

20030410FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH DUAL GAS TANKS, THE DEALER REPLACED THE PUMP, ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND SENSOR. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *JB....*AK

Compare 1990FORDF250 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1990 FORD F250 have?
The 1990 FORD F250 has 129 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 14 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1990 FORD F250?
The most-complained component for the 1990 FORD F250 is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY with 13 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES.
Is the 1990 FORD F250 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.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. 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.