RoadVitals

1996 Ford F-150 Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system reportsComplaints 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.
53
Latest Aug 25, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
16%
of 324 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1996 Ford F-150 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 53 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming fuel system

The 25 most recent of 53, in the owner's own words

EngineFuel system
Filed Aug 25, 2023

The contact owns a 1996 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle started to shutoff and restart independently. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The mechanic informed the contact that the rear tank’s fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that there was no open recall associated with the VIN for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The contact stated there is an issue with the front fuel tank feeding fuel into the rear tank when the rear tank pump is not operational and having to switch the fuel supply over to the front tank. When the rear tank is full from the front tank feed, it spills over out of the rear tank fill spout, and runs out on the ground.

NHTSA ID
11540729
Incident
Apr 15, 2023
Mileage
130,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 9, 2022

The front fuel tank is overflowing when I run the vehicle with the rear tank. The return fuel is always to the front tank causing it to overflow its a hazardous situation.

NHTSA ID
11473139
Incident
Jul 9, 2022
Fuel system
Filed Oct 4, 2020

FUEL FROM REAR TANK FILLS FRONT TANK.IT CAN OVERFLOW CAUSING A FIRE.

NHTSA ID
11362648
Incident
Sep 1, 2020
Mileage
111,500 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 29, 2016

FUEL FLOWS OUT THE FRONT TANK WHEN USING THE REAR TANK AND THE FRONT ON IS FULL !! FOUND THIS WHEN PARKED IN MY GARAGE .

NHTSA ID
10938604
Incident
Dec 15, 2016
Mileage
88,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 22, 2015

FUEL FROM THE FRONT TANK IS OVERFLOWING FUEL INTO THE REAR FUEL TANK AND VICE VERSA. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR YEARS BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW HOW TO REPAIR OR WHAT IS CAUSING THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
10811833
Incident
Dec 1, 2004
Fuel system
Filed Feb 17, 2015

FUEL KEEPS LEAKING FROM SECOND TANK SOMEWHERE TOWARDS THE OPENING.BEEN LIKE THIS SINCE THE DATE I HAVE REPORTED TILL NOW BUT NEVER THOUGHT MUCH ABOUT IT UNTIL REVIEWING CASE NHTSA ID NUMBER: [XXX] AND NHTSA REF # 10587059 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10683764
Incident
Jan 10, 2009
Mileage
120,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 7, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A DUAL FUEL TANK AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE EMITTED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL RETURN CHECK VALVE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE FUEL FROM THE REAR FUEL TANK OVERFLOWED INTO THE SECOND FUEL TANK. IN ADDITION, FUEL HAD SEEPED OUT OF THE FUEL TANK CAP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR 1990-1993 F-SERIES MODEL VEHICLES UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01I008000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) BUT NOT FOR THE 1996 MODEL YEARS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 06/30/14 MA UPDATED 07/2/2014 *JS

NHTSA ID
10587059
Incident
Aug 8, 2007
Mileage
120,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 29, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FILLER CAP. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL FROM THE REAR FUEL TANK WAS SPILLING INTO THE FRONT FUEL TANK, CAUSING IT TO OVERFLOW AND LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ID
10463596
Incident
Jun 15, 2012
Mileage
105,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 13, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE FUEL TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. APPROXIMATELY 3 GALLONS OF FUEL SPILLED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM THAT BOTH STRAPS WERE SEVERELY COVERED WITH RUST AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE FUEL TANK. BOTH STRAPS AND THE FUEL TANK WERE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED REGARDING THE FAILURE AND STATED HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 122,700.

NHTSA ID
10430047
Incident
Oct 6, 2011
Mileage
122,700 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 1, 2011

PRIMARY FUEL TANK STRAPS BROKEN, TANK RESTING ON SKID PLATE. SECONDARY FUEL TANK STRAPS CORRODING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10428117
Incident
Jul 1, 2008
Mileage
145,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 13, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD F-150. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V161000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10425158
Incident
Aug 13, 2011
Mileage
100,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 18, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT FUEL TANK STRAP WAS CORRODED AND CAUSED A LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO REPAIRED THE STRAP BUT DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE WITH THE FUEL LEAK. THE CONTACT THEN SWITCHED TO USING THE REAR FUEL TANK, IN WHICH HE SOON DISCOVERED THAT THE THERE WAS ALSO A LEAK COMING FROM THE REAR TANK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACT WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO FILE A CLAIM WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ID
10420038
Incident
Aug 18, 2011
Mileage
92,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 21, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS FLOWING FROM THE REAR FUEL PUMP AND INTO THE FRONT FUEL PUMP, CAUSING AN OVERFLOW AND ABNORMAL LEAKAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT SOMEONE WOULD RETURN HIS CALL BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE FRONT FUEL PUMP CHECK VALVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,553.

NHTSA ID
10396991
Incident
Feb 1, 2011
Mileage
80,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 9, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1996 FORD F150. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT START; HOWEVER, AFTER SWITCHING TO THE REAR FUEL TANK THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE FRONT FUEL TANK HAD APPROXIMATELY A HALF TANK OF FUEL IN IT AT THE TIME. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL WAS LEAKING IN THE FRONT FUEL TANK. THE FUEL WAS OVERFLOWING FROM THE BACK TO THE FRONT FUEL TANK CAUSING A LEAK AND A FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR TO BE REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ID
10386958
Incident
Feb 20, 2011
Mileage
160,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 31, 2010

I OWN A 1996 FORD F150 WITH DUAL TANKS. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE BACK FUEL TANK TRANSFERRING GAS TO THE FRONT TANK. IF UNNOTICED THIS WILL CAUSE GAS TO OVERFLOW ONTO THE GROUND CAUSING A REAL SAFETY AND POLLUTION HAZARD. I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WASN'T ANY RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON MY VIN. WELL EVEN IF THERE ISN'T A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM OR NOT IT IS STILL A PROBLEM AND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THE 1990 TP 1993 F150 SO I'M FIGURING THAT THEY STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM ON MY VEHICLE ALSO. *TR

NHTSA ID
10352940
Incident
Jul 22, 2010
Mileage
109,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 2, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-150. WHENEVER THE CONTACT WOULD ATTEMPT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD TURN OFF AND FAIL TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE SECOND FUEL TANK WAS TRANSFERRING FUEL TO THE FIRST FUEL TANK. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 104,000.

NHTSA ID
10275607
Incident
May 14, 2009
Mileage
104,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 17, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL BEGAN TO LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED. HE OPENED THE FUEL CAP AND GAS POURED OUT. THE DEALER STATED THAT A REGULATOR OR A FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE IS A RECALL, BUT THE VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 102,000.

NHTSA ID
10196565
Incident
Jul 15, 2007
Mileage
102,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 26, 2007

THE VEHICLE HAS 2 FUEL TANKS. WHILE DRIVING, GASOLINE FLOWS FROM ONE TANK TO THE SECOND TANK, CAUSING THE SECOND TANK TO OVERFILL. WHEN OPENING THE LID TO THE SECOND TANK, PRESSURE CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF GASOLINE CAUSES GASOLINE TO SPEW FROM THE SPOUT ONTO OPERATOR AND ONTO THE GROUND. *JB

NHTSA ID
10183538
Incident
Feb 22, 2007
Mileage
90,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 3, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED TO REFUEL, THE GAS CAP WAS REMOVED AND GASOLINE BLEW OUT OF THE FILLER PIPE. THERE WAS A RECALL #93V125000 FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH 1990-1993 FORD F-150 MODELS THAT CAUSED FUEL OVERFLOW DUE TO A MALFUNCTION OF THE CHECK VALVE BETWEEN THE DUEL TANKS. THE CONTACT HAS CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA ID
10164309
Incident
Jul 30, 2006
Mileage
105,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 30, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK VALVE IN THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE UNUSED FUEL TRANSFERRED FROM ONE TANK TO ANOTHER. NO SPILLAGE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE SECOND TANK WAS NOT OVERFILLED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 93V125000, REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED.

NHTSA ID
10149039
Incident
Jan 30, 2006
Mileage
30,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 14, 2005

FUEL TANKS. FILLED REAR TANK AND OPENED FRONT TANK TO FILL IT. WHEN I TOOK CAP OFF GAS SPLASHED OUT. THE FRONT TANK WAS OVER FULL. I TALKED TO A FORD MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A VALVE IN THE RETURN LINE THAT CAUSED THE FRONT TANK TO OVER FILL FROM THE REAR TANK. HE ALSO SAID THAT FORD DID REPAIR SOME TRUCKS ,BUT WASN'T DOING IT NOW. *JB

NHTSA ID
10145180
Incident
Nov 23, 2005
Mileage
207,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 5, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAS A DUEL GASOLINE TANK. WHEN THE BACK TANK IS SELECTED IT WILL PUMP GASOLINE TO THE ENGINE, BUT IT WILL ALSO PUMP GASOLINE INTO THE FRONT TANK AND PRESSURIZE THE GASOLINE, FORCING IT OUT OF THE FILLER NECK AND CAP. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED GASOLINE OVERFLOWS ONTO THE GROUND, AND WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE GASOLINE SPILLS OUT ALONG THE HIGHWAY. WHEN THE CAP IS REMOVED FROM THE TANK, A LARGER AMOUNT OF GASOLINE WILL SPILL OUT, AND THE GASOLINE IS FILLED UP TO THE FILLER NECK. THE CONSUMER HAS TO WATCH THE AMOUNT OF GASOLINE THAT IS IN THE BACK TANK TO ENSURE THAT THE OVERFLOW WILL NOT OCCUR. THE SERVICE DEALER SAID THAT THE CHECK VALVE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CHECK VALVE PREVENTED THE GASOLINE FROM GOING FROM THE BACK TANK INTO THE FRONT TANK. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE COST FOR THE REPAIR.*AK UPDATED 01/04/06. *JB

NHTSA ID
10138652
Incident
Jul 1, 2005
Mileage
72,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 7, 2005

NORMAL DRIVING. STOPPED TO REFUEL. UPON ATTEMPTING TO OPEN REAR GAS CAP PRESSURE BLEW CAP OFF AND LARGE AMOUNT FUEL ALL OVER ME AND THE SIDE OF THE TRUCK. *AK CONDITION NOT REPAIRED AS YET.

NHTSA ID
10116575
Incident
Apr 7, 2005
Mileage
104,751 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 28, 2005

THE VEHICLE HAD DUAL GAS TANKS. THE FRONT TANK WAS LEAKING FUEL OUT OF THE CAP SINCE THE FUEL FROM THE BACK TANK WAS TRAVELING TO THE FRONT. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. *BF *SC

NHTSA ID
10101252
Incident
Dec 1, 2000
Mileage
82,931 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 15, 2005

DUAL GAS TANKS. GAS IS PRESSURIZED FROM REAR TANK TO THE FRONT TANK, CAUSING A FUEL TRANSFER TO THE FRONT TANK, FRONT TANK IS OVERFILLING, GAS IS UNDER PRESSURE, SPILLING FROM THE OVERFLOW. WHEN THE CAP IS REMOVED, GAS EXPLODES FROM THE FILLER NECK. *AK

NHTSA ID
10110560
Incident
Jan 5, 2005
Mileage
187,799 mi

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.

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Data on this page last refreshed .