1991 Ford F-250 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1991 Ford F-250, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Fuel system3124.0%
- Brakes2720.9%
- Electrical1511.6%
- Tires & wheels107.8%
- Engine86.2%
- Transmission75.4%
- Body & structure53.9%
- Seat belts43.1%
- Powertrain (other)43.1%
- Driver assistance43.1%
- Exterior lighting32.3%
- Interior & seats32.3%
- Steering32.3%
- Suspension32.3%
- Visibility21.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
FUEL LEAKED FROM HEATER WIRE IN FUEL FILTER. THE FUEL FOLLOWED THE WIRE UP THE COPPER CORE UNTIL IT REACHED A CRACK IN THE INSULATION ANY TIME THERE WAS FUEL PRESSURE, IE ENGINE RUNNING OR EVEN WITH BOOST PUMP PRESSURE WITH ENGINE OFF.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD F-250. AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, FUEL STARTED LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01I008000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,000. ..UPDATED 05/20/15 *BF THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED THE FUEL SWITCH OVER ISSUE AND WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED TO THE RECALL. UPDATED 7/6/2015 *JS
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAD JUST BEEN JUMPED BY AAA BECAUSE MY TRUCK WASN'T STARTING; THE AAA AGENT ALSO CLEANED THE BATTERY TERMINALS. I INTENDED TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE FORD DEALER BECAUSE I DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD START. SINCE THE AAA AGENT WAS ABLE TO GET TO START, I DECIDED TO STILL TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO FIND OUT WHY THE BATTERY WAS DEAD (GIVEN THEY HAD THE CAR FOR A MONTH AND HAD PUT IN A NEW BATTERY AND STARTER, AMONG OTHER REPAIRS). DRIVING THE 7 MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP THE CAR SEEMED TO BE ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN, THE ENTIRE WAY, I ONLY STEPPED ON THE GAS ONCE; IT WAS GOING 35 MILES/HOUR BY ITSELF (PER THE SPEEDOMETER). I DIDN'T KNOW WHY THIS WAS HAPPENING AND WHEN I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN USING THE BRAKES, THE TRUCK WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP, SUCH THAT I NEARLY REAR-ENDED MULTIPLE CARS. IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO PUSH THE BRAKE DOWN AND TWICE HUGE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE (PROBABLY THE BRAKES WERE NOW OVERHEATING?). WHEN I WAS 500 FEET FROM THE DEALERSHIP I TOOK A QUICK LEFT TURN AND HONESTLY COULD NOT STOP THE TRUCK, I THREW IT INTO PARK AND SHUT IT OFF JUST IN TIME TO MISS PLOWING INTO PARKED VEHICLES. SMOKE BILLOWED OUT FROM BELOW THE HOOD. I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO FRIGHTENED IN MY LIFE-I WAS SURE I WAS EITHER GOING TO SMASH INTO SOMEONE SINCE I COULDN'T STOP OR THE TRUCK WAS GOING TO IMPLODE IN FIRE, OR SOMETHING AND I WOULD BE DEAD. I WAS NOT ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY STOP IT USING THE BRAKES. THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ALSO NOT WORKING (WHICH IS ALSO WHY I WAS RETURNING IT TO THE DEALER). WHEN I ASKED THE SERVICE PERSON AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP IF HE'D SEEN A STUCK THROTTLE LIKE THIS BEFORE, HE SAID, "YES, SOMETIMES WHEN VEHICLES SIT FOR A WHILE". THIS IS A SATURDAY, SO THEY ARE GOING TO EVALUATE THE PROBLEM ON MONDAY. THE SERVICE REP ALSO SAID SOMETIMES CLEANING THE TERMINALS MIGHT CONTRIBUTE TO EXTRA CONDUCTION, WHICH MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE ACCELERATION ISSUE. *TR
BRAKES FAIL SOMETIMES. I NEED HELP. I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS RECALL OF 03/11/92TO LATE FOR THIS RECALL ?. NHTSA CAMPAIGN 92VO26000 .*AK
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD F-250. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR FROM THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL POURING OUT OF THE OPENING OF THE TANK THAT SPILLED ONTO THE STREET AND UNDERNEATH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL CHECK VALVE IN THE PUMP UNIT WAS DAMAGED, WHICH CAUSED THE FUEL TO TRAVEL FROM ONE TANK TO THE OTHER AND OVERFLOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.
THERE WAS AN ACRID ODOR IN THE CABIN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE RADIO LIGHT BEGAN FUNCTIONING INTERMITTENTLY. THE DASH LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK TWICE. THE HEAD LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK TWICE, ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS FROM THE DASH LIGHTS. I WENT TO REPLACE THE HEADLAMP SWITCH, AND FOUND THE CONNECTOR CHARRED AND MELTED, AND THE B2 TERMINAL ON THE SWITCH WAS LOOSE AND DISCOLORED. THE SWITCH WAS CHARRED AROUND THE B2 TERMINAL.. I AM GOING TO REPLACE THE CONNECTOR ALSO. *JB
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
DISCOVERER A/T TIRES SIZE LT265/75R16 CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. TREAD COMPLETELY PEELED OFF. HAD ONLY BEEN DRIVING FOR 30 MINUTES AND OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS 70 DEGREES F. TIRES HAD ABOUT 23,000 MILES ON THEM. 1-2 YEARS PREVIOUSLY, THE SAME TYPE TIRE ON OPPOSITE WHEEL DEVELOPED A BULGE IN THE SIDEWALL AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR
I HAD 2 FAILURES WITH THE FIRST ABOUT 9/21/07 AND THE SECOND 10/6/07. THE VEHICLE IS A 1991 F250 HD AND IS OCCASIONALLY USED TO HAUL A SLIDE-IN CAMPER. ON BOTH OCCASIONS I HAD THE CAMPER ON THE TRUCK, LOADING THE TRUCK TO NEAR THE RATED CAPACITY OF THE TIRES BUT NOT OVER TO MY KNOWLEDGE. IN BOTH INSTANCES THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS CHECKED BEFORE LEAVING THE HOUSE, WERE WE TRAVELING A MODERATE SPEED, ABOUT 55 MPH, AND IT WAS COOL. IN BOTH CASES I NOTICED A VIBRATION BUT BEFORE I COULD EFFECT A SUBSTANTIAL RESPONSE THE TIRE EXPLODED. THE TRUCK REMAINED IN CONTROL BUT THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK. THE TIRES WERE ON THE REAR SO THERE WAS DAMAGE TO BOTH SIDES. THE FIRST TIME I HAD THE TIRE REPLACED BY THE DEALER AND HE GAVE ME OVER A 50% CREDIT, REFLECTING THE AMOUNT OF TREAD LEFT ON THE TIRE. THE SECOND TIME I HAD THE TIRE REPLACED WITH A DIFFERENT BRAND AND KEPT THE OLD TIRE FOR INSPECTION. *TR
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF.*AK *YH
CONSUMER WENT TO START VEHICLE , SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT , FILLED TRUCK WITH BAD BURNING SMELL, SHUT OFF ENGINE AND NOTICED INSULATION HAS COMPLETELY MELTED ,WIRES OFF ENGINE,A MAJOR CONNECTOR WAS ALSO BURNED, BUT NO FUSES WERE BLOWN. CONSUMER HAS ALREADY FILED COMPLAINT EVOQ#861040 BUT SAME DEFECT RECOOCURRED. SERVICE MANAGER AT DEALER CLAIMED DEFECT WAS NOT UNUSUAL AND WAS AWARE OF DEFECT.*AK THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE PROBLEM WA NOT ELECTRICAL. *YH
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE TRANSMISSION STARTED BUCKING AND CAUSING GRINDING NOISES AND THE VEHICLE AT TIMES WOULD NOT GO FASTER THAN 45 AND WAS ALWAYS IN DANGER OF COMPLETE BREAK DOWN IN THE TRAVEL PORTIONS OF THE HIGHWAYS OR OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE AND PUT MYSELF AND ANY OTHER PERSONS WITH ME IN DANGER OF BEING IN A ACCIDENT AND SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. *AK
THE CLUTCH FAILED. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE DEVELOPED SEVERE CORROSION PROBLEMS ON THE FRAME AT THE POINT BETWEEN CAB AND BED.
FLOORBOARD CRACKED; ALSO, SEATBACK COLLAPSED BACKWARDS ONTO SON'S CHILD SAFETY SEAT WHILE UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
FRONT SEATBELT WILL NOT EXTEND TO GIVE ROOM FOR CONSUMER TO PUT IT ON, CAUSING CONSUMER NOT TO HAVE A SEATBELT ON WHILE DRIVING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
THE REUSE OF THE SEATBELTS INSTALLED BY FORD AFTER EMERGENCY USE IS NOT CLEAR. INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOT EVEN AWARE OF THIS SITUATION. THE SEATBELTS INSTALLED BY FORD MUST BE DEALER INSPECTED AFTER EMERGENCY USE . THESE SEATBELTS ARE DESIGNED FOR A ONE SHOT USE IN COLLISIONS OR MAJOR BRAKING. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE DRIVING AROUND UNAWARE THAT THEIR SEATBELTS ARE SUBJECT TO FAILURE ,BECAUSE OF A MAJOR USE EARLIER? THERE IS THE CONSEPTION THAT IF A SEATBELT GOES AROUND AND HOOKS THE PERSON IS SAFE ,FALSE,FALSE,FALSE....... THEY ARE NOT DESIGNED FOR MULTIPLE USES. FORD DEALER INFORMED ME ON 01/16/01 THEY ARE A NON SERVICEABLE ITEM AND MUST BE REPLACED . THANK YOU WILLIAM SULLIVAN. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES FAILED.
FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT, ALSO FRONT END MISALIGNMENT; WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED; REPLACED LEAKING AXLE SEALS; FUEL PUMP FAILURE/ FUEL LINE RECALL AND PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAD JUST BEEN JUMPED BY AAA BECAUSE MY TRUCK WASN'T STARTING; THE AAA AGENT ALSO CLEANED THE BATTERY TERMINALS. I INTENDED TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE FORD DEALER BECAUSE I DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD START. SINCE THE AAA AGENT WAS ABLE TO GET TO START, I DECIDED TO STILL TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO FIND OUT WHY THE BATTERY WAS DEAD (GIVEN THEY HAD THE CAR FOR A MONTH AND HAD PUT IN A NEW BATTERY AND STARTER, AMONG OTHER REPAIRS). DRIVING THE 7 MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP THE CAR SEEMED TO BE ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN, THE ENTIRE WAY, I ONLY STEPPED ON THE GAS ONCE; IT WAS GOING 35 MILES/HOUR BY ITSELF (PER THE SPEEDOMETER). I DIDN'T KNOW WHY THIS WAS HAPPENING AND WHEN I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN USING THE BRAKES, THE TRUCK WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP, SUCH THAT I NEARLY REAR-ENDED MULTIPLE CARS. IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO PUSH THE BRAKE DOWN AND TWICE HUGE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE (PROBABLY THE BRAKES WERE NOW OVERHEATING?). WHEN I WAS 500 FEET FROM THE DEALERSHIP I TOOK A QUICK LEFT TURN AND HONESTLY COULD NOT STOP THE TRUCK, I THREW IT INTO PARK AND SHUT IT OFF JUST IN TIME TO MISS PLOWING INTO PARKED VEHICLES. SMOKE BILLOWED OUT FROM BELOW THE HOOD. I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO FRIGHTENED IN MY LIFE-I WAS SURE I WAS EITHER GOING TO SMASH INTO SOMEONE SINCE I COULDN'T STOP OR THE TRUCK WAS GOING TO IMPLODE IN FIRE, OR SOMETHING AND I WOULD BE DEAD. I WAS NOT ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY STOP IT USING THE BRAKES. THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ALSO NOT WORKING (WHICH IS ALSO WHY I WAS RETURNING IT TO THE DEALER). WHEN I ASKED THE SERVICE PERSON AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP IF HE'D SEEN A STUCK THROTTLE LIKE THIS BEFORE, HE SAID, "YES, SOMETIMES WHEN VEHICLES SIT FOR A WHILE". THIS IS A SATURDAY, SO THEY ARE GOING TO EVALUATE THE PROBLEM ON MONDAY. THE SERVICE REP ALSO SAID SOMETIMES CLEANING THE TERMINALS MIGHT CONTRIBUTE TO EXTRA CONDUCTION, WHICH MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE ACCELERATION ISSUE. *TR
BRAKE PROBLEMS--FAILING TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER. NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIX THEM. POWER STEERING UNIT HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES--CAR WANDERS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS FAULTY CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING. NLM
HEADLIGHT SWITCH INTERMITTENTLY WORKS, THEN WOULD DROP OUT AND LEAVE DRIVER IN DARK. DEALER CONTACTED AND CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM. RESULTS IN MELTING PLUG THAT CONNECTS TO SWITCH. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
FLOORBOARD CRACKED; ALSO, SEATBACK COLLAPSED BACKWARDS ONTO SON'S CHILD SAFETY SEAT WHILE UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS. *AK
DRIVER'S BUCK SEAT WELD CROSS RAIL BRACKET DEVELOPED STRESS CRACKS AND SEPERATED FROM THE FLOOR. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
SECTOR SHAFT ON STEERING BOX FAILED, CAUSING STEERING LOSS WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. *AK
BRAKE PROBLEMS--FAILING TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER. NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIX THEM. POWER STEERING UNIT HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES--CAR WANDERS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR AXLE SEAL LEAK, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKES ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.
IGNITION RECALL SERVICE DENIED WITH NO REASON GIVEN, WAS TOLD BY MCGARITY, CARTER FORD LINCOLN MERCURY TO GO TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. THIS IS THE CLOSEST LOCATION. 96V071000. *AK CONSUMER STATES WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES FAILED.
FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT, ALSO FRONT END MISALIGNMENT; WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED; REPLACED LEAKING AXLE SEALS; FUEL PUMP FAILURE/ FUEL LINE RECALL AND PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .