1990 Ford F350 problems & reliability
39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1990 Ford F350. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
2 complaints report injuries (6 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1990 Ford F350 vehicles were involved in 3 fatal crashes with 0 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic → | 15 | 38% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 9 | 23% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 9 | 23% |
| Power Train | 5 | 13% |
| Electrical System | 4 | 10% |
| Suspension | 2 | 5% |
| Tires | 2 | 5% |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 3% |
| Steering | 1 | 3% |
| Structure | 1 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
All 12 reported components →Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Dt: the cross over of the fuel improperly overfills the second tank, spilling fuel out of vehicle. There were 2 safety recalls of this item. But ford was saying that one recall was taken care of by a previous owner. The second recall expired, and ford will not fix this problem. Ford has been contacted by the customer…”
Fuel System, Gasoline · filed Jun 17, 2005
“Vehicle was taken to dealer for recall repairs about 5 years ago. Vehicle had duel gas tanks. The recall was issued because one tank would pump gas into the other tank, and when it was full it would spill over, creating a fire hazard. After recall repairs were done the problem recurred. Consumer felt that the proper…”
Fuel System, Gasoline · filed Aug 27, 2004
“While traveling, the consumer heard a loud popping noise. The consumer pulled over and saw the right front tire tread separated from the wheel. Firestone steeltex, lt 265/75r16. *ak *scc *jb”
Tires · filed Jun 18, 2003
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- DUAL FUEL TANK CROSSFLOW/LEAKAGE
Engineering Analysis EA99032 · opened Nov 4, 1999 · closed Dec 6, 2001 · led to recall 01I008000
- HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE CRACKS/LEAKS
Preliminary Evaluation PE94004 · opened Jan 25, 1994 · closed Apr 29, 1994
- ALTERNATOR BELT FAILURE
Engineering Analysis EA93014 · opened Jun 4, 1993 · closed Jul 29, 1994
- FUEL EXPULSION
Engineering Analysis EA93001 · opened Jan 7, 1993 · closed Aug 20, 1993 · led to recall 93V125000
- FUEL EXPULSION
Preliminary Evaluation PE92077 · opened Sep 9, 1992 · closed Jan 7, 1993
- LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES
Engineering Analysis EA91044 · opened Oct 30, 1991 · closed Oct 30, 1992 · led to recall 92V026000
- FUEL EXPULSION
Engineering Analysis EA91031 · opened Jun 26, 1991 · closed Nov 1, 1991 · led to recall 91V146000
- SPARE TIRE FIRES
Preliminary Evaluation PE91090 · opened Jun 20, 1991 · closed Oct 25, 1991
Technical service bulletins
52 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1990 Ford F350. The 10 most recent:
Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *slc
01157 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 6, 2001
Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *slc
01156 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 6, 2001
Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system. *tt
002310 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 13, 2000
Transmission- e40d/4r100-1989-99-main controls, separator plates and separator plate gaskets usage chart. Yd
98168 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 7, 2000
Transmission-e40d-no 2-3 upshift. Some vehicles may exhibit a no 2-3 upshift condition. *ak
98167 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 7, 2000
Vehicles may experience solid particle contaminants from prior transmission concerns or excess wear, may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system is not properly flushed, fluid in-line filter kit. *mjs
0038 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 7, 2000
Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *mjs
0015 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 10, 2000
Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses. *tt
99222 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 18, 1999
Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems. *tt
99196 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 20, 1999
Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda. *tt
99152 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 26, 1999
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1990 Ford F350 in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1990 Ford F350?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.