1990 Ford F250 problems & reliability

Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.

Most reported problems

Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.

Common symptoms owners describe

Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.

Complaints by incident year

What owners report

• “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…”

  Fuel System, Gasoline · filed May 10, 2011

• “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…”

  Fuel System, Gasoline · filed May 5, 2010

• “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…”

  Fuel System, Gasoline · filed Apr 14, 2010

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

• FORD F-SERIES DUAL FUEL TANK LEAKAGE

  Recall Query RQ98008 · opened May 29, 1998 · closed Nov 4, 1999 · led to recall 93V125000

• FUEL LINE ROUTING

  Engineering Analysis EA93026 · opened Oct 29, 1993 · closed Feb 28, 1994 · led to recall 94V040000

• 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

Technical service bulletins

35 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1990 Ford F250. The 10 most recent:

• 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

• Information on tire company telephone numbers for customer assistance. *yc

  9852 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 13, 1998

• Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system. *tt

  9864 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 30, 1998

• Front caliper piston boots damaged. *yc

  985A38 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 18, 1998

• Some vehicles may exhibit excessive brake pedal travel, irregular front lining wear, and brake pull. *yc

  985A29 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 18, 1998

• The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes is no longer acceptable. *yc

  985A13 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 18, 1998

• Recommended guidelines for towing behind recreational vehicles. *tt

  985A12 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 18, 1998

• Announcing the ford oem air conditioning retrofit kit availability. *yc

  9848 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 2, 1998

• Some vehicles may develop "cavitation" erosion in the cylinder wall of the engine. *tt

  010198 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 1998

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 F250 in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.