RoadVitals

1990 Ford E-150

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
17
Latest May 19, 2021
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Sep 4, 1991
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
4
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 17 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Ford E-150, most frequently naming the fuel system, brakes and driver assistance categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 4 NHTSA investigations name it; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system850.0%
  • Brakes212.5%
  • Driver assistance212.5%
  • Other / unspecified212.5%
  • Steering16.3%
  • Tires & wheels16.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
91V146000

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

Sep 4, 1991
350,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE MAY MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE AN OVERFILL CONDITION IN ONE OF THE FUEL TANKS, RESULTING IN AN OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP.
The risk: THE OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP CAUSES A FUELLEAKAGE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
The remedy: REPLACE THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
91V119000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

Jul 3, 1991
30 units potentially affected
The defect: SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGES DID NOT MEET LOAD REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 210; BELT ANCHORAGE BAR PULLED THROUGH THE FLOOR OF VEHICLE WHEN SUBJECTED TO LOADS OF FMVSS 210 TEST.
The risk: SEAT OCCUPANTS WOULD NOT HAVE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THEEVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT AND WOULD BE SUBJECT TO INCREASED RISKOF INJURY.
The remedy: SECURE SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE BAR TO VEHICLE FRAME FOR ADDED STRENGTH.
VAN CRAFT CORPView on NHTSA.gov
90V101000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

Jun 1, 1990
111,000 units potentially affected
The defect: UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE SNAP RING THAT LOCATES THE PARK GEAR ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION MAY FRACTURE.
The 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.
The remedy: INSTALL IMPROVED SNAP RING AND REVISED TRANSMISSION EXTENSION HOUSING.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA91044ClosedEngineering Analysis

LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES

Opened Oct 30, 1991
Closed Oct 30, 1992

===

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICLed to recall 92V026000
EA91031ClosedEngineering Analysis

FUEL EXPULSION

Opened Jun 26, 1991
Closed Nov 1, 1991

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGESLed to recall 91V146000
PE91077ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES

Opened May 23, 1991
Closed Oct 31, 1991

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PE91064ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

TRANSMISSION FLUID FIRES

Opened Apr 9, 1991
Closed Jul 5, 1991

There is no summary currently available

POWER TRAIN

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 17
Filed May 19, 2021
Crash reported

Picked up vehicle from auto shop, work had been done on the front brakes, engine temp sensor, heater blower relay, map sensor, throttle control position sensor and ECM had been replaced. Shortly after I got on the freeway the vehicle started to accelerate very quickly W/O pushing the gas pedal hit the brakes but only slowed from 65 mph to 60. Gas pedal did not move from middle position up or down and brakes seamed mushy. Cruise control was not on, tried switching it on then off. Could not slow down, so went to great effort to avoid hitting any other vehicles. trying to slow down for an off ramp came close to crashing off the the edge into a ditch.Tried the emergency brake and downshifting. Finally turned off the key and started slowing down, car lurched forward and hit a crosswalk button pole. Utility pole was damaged also cars bumper, grill, hood, radiator, brakes, possibly transmission. State patrol arrived, vehicle towed to tow yard lot. No ticket was issued. Vehicle never had this issue prior to the auto shop updates, I notified the shop but they have not followed up on anything - they stated that they would contact their insurance provider but I do not believe they have done so. ECM computer, software, fuel system sensors were possibly not installed correctly. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Has not been inspected since the incident. My safety and the safety of any drivers or pedestrians in the vicinity was put at extreme risk by the vehicle operating at full throttle with no gas pedal control and no brake control.

NHTSA ID
11417831
Incident
May 17, 2021
Fuel system
Filed May 15, 2014

WHILE DRIVING GAS STARTED TO SPILL OUT OF FRONT TANK AT CAP. VEHICLE HAS DUAL GAS TANKS. STOPPED AT LOCAL STORE AND TRIED TO FIGURE OUT WHY. TWO DAYS EARLIER HAD SMELLED GAS BUT DID NOT KNOW WERE IT WAS COMING FROM. WHEN I CAME OUT OF STORE TRUCK WOULD NOT START. TOOK TO MECHANIC HAD FUEL SYSTEM REPAIRED AND SELECTOR SWITCH BYPASSED. NOW RUNNING FINE . FOUND RECALL FOR FORD RECALL #91S39. CALLED FORD SAID DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. RECALL SAYS FORD E150 CLUB WAGONS 1989-1991 WITH DUAL TANKS HARD TO UNDERSTAND HOW MINE IS NOT COVERED. WOULD LIKE SOME EXPLANATION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10588712
Incident
May 12, 2014
Mileage
129,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 21, 2009

GAS SPEWING FROM GAS CAP INPUT AREA DURING PERIODS OF WARM WEATHER. GAS CONTINUES TO SPEW REGARDLESS OF AMOUNT OF GAS IN EITHER TANK. HIGH POTENTIAL FOR FIRE AND LOSS OF LIFE. FORD KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND IS SAYING THEY NEVER HAD A RECALL ON THIS SUBJECT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10281325
Incident
May 6, 2009
Mileage
123,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 1, 2009

THERE IS A FUEL LEAK THAT BEGAN A WHILE BACK BUT ONLY WHEN BOTH TANKS WERE FULL. NOW THE LEAK IS SUBSTANTIAL AND SEEMS TO OCCUR EVEN WHEN LESS THAN FULL....BUT NOT AT ALL WHEN ABOUT HALF FULL. I AM NOT SURE OF WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THE OCCURRENCE BUT IT HAS BEEN QUITE SOME YEARS NOW. I WILL ENTER A DATE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10275468
Incident
Jan 1, 2000
Mileage
50,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 2, 2005

NO PREVIOUS EVENT BEFORE FAILURE. TIRE BECAME DEFORMED, PROBABLE CAUSE BELT SEPARATION. CAUSED SEVERE HANDLING PROBLEMS AT LOW SPEEDS. PLAN TO RETURN TIRE FOR REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ID
10127327
Incident
Jun 30, 2005
Fuel system
Filed Feb 20, 2003

MY LOCAL FORD DEALER REFUSED TO SERVICE MY VEHICLE FOR THE FOLLOWING: NHTSA ID NO.: 91V-146 DATE OF COMPANY NOTIFICATION: 9-4-91 MAKE: FORD MODEL: ECONOLINE MODEL YEAR: 1989-91 MODEL: F-150, F-250, F-350 MODEL YEAR: 1989 NUMBER OF VEHICLES: 350,000 MFG. CAMPAIGN NO. 91S39. FUEL TANK, AUXILIARY. DOM: 2/89-2/91. DUAL FUNCTION FUEL RESERVOIR MAY MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE AN OVERFILL CONDITION IN ONE OF THE FUEL TANKS, RESULTING IN AN OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST FILLER CAP. OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST FILLER CAP CAUSES A FUEL LEAKAGE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION. CORRECT BY REPLACING DUAL FUNCTION FUEL RESERVOIRS WITH NEW RESERVOIRS CONTAINING O-RINGS OF A REVISED MATERIAL. THEY SAID THIS APPLIES ONLY TO THE PICK-UPS, AND NOT THE ECONOLINE VAN. ANOTHER DEALER SAY THAT VIN NUMBER INDICATED THAT THIS WAS COMPLETED ALREADY, WHICH I KNOW WAS NOT... I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER... AND IS THE EXACT PROBLEM I AM HAVING IS STATED ABOVE... THE FUEL IS SPILLING ON THE GROUND WHEN I SWITCH ON THE REAR FUEL TANK.

NHTSA ID
10007873
Incident
Feb 5, 2002
Mileage
165,987 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Jul 30, 2002

WHILE IN MOTION, THE LEFT REAR TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN THE LUG NUTS BACKED OUT. *JG

NHTSA ID
566990
Incident
May 14, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Dec 4, 2001

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 91V146000 COVERS THIS 1990 MODEL, BUT FORD SAYS NOT PART OF RECALL ALTHOUGH THE SAME EXACT FAILURE DID OCCUR WITH GAS/FUEL SPILL INSIDE ENCLOSED GARAGE. REAR TANK RETURN WAS TO FRONT TANK FORCING FUEL OVERFLOW. *AK

NHTSA ID
755263
Incident
Nov 6, 2001

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

951113

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

DELAYED FORWARD ENGAGEMENT AND/OR HEAT STAINED FORWARD CLUTCH PLATES AFTER INSTALLING CENTER SUPPORT SERVICE. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford E-150 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023010—
2022000—
2021100—
2020000—
2019000—
2018000—
2016810—
2015810—
2014660—
2013196046.3
2012128052.9
20112313045.9
2010109054.4
20097140—
20081118049.0
20071219041.6
20061716046.5
2005164050.1
2004337153.8
2003216159.5
2002283155.1
2001374150.7
2000506153.5
1999836158.0
1998605155.7
19971026155.3
1996593161.3
1995713259.2
19941217260.5
1993714158.3
1992644364.9
1991151454.2
1990Viewing173455.5
1989312361.7
1988140248.7
1987170152.7
1986904—
1985304—
1984324—
1983111—
1982321—
1981111—
1980031—
1979051—
1978041—
1976210—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.