RoadVitals

1990 Ford F-350

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.
39
Latest Jul 15, 2005
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.
7
Latest Jul 19, 2001
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.
11
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.
3
5 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 39 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Ford F-350, most frequently naming the brakes, engine and fuel system categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 11 NHTSA investigations name it; and 52 manufacturer communications are 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

  • Brakes1528.8%
  • Engine917.3%
  • Transmission59.6%
  • Electrical47.7%
  • Suspension35.8%
  • Tires & wheels23.8%
  • Visibility11.9%

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

7 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

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Jul 19, 2001
1,556,221 units potentially affected
The defect: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1990-1993 FORD F-SERIES VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DUAL FUEL TANKS AND 4.9, 5.0,5.8, OR 7.5 LITER GASOLINE FUELED ENGINES. SOME VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE A CROSS TANK FUEL FLOW CONDITION DUE TO A DAMAGED CHECK VALVE IN THE FUEL PUMP/SENDER ASSEMBLY. FUEL MAY BE SUPPLIED FROM ONE TANK AND SOME OR ALL OF THE UNUSED FUEL MAY BE RETURNED TO THE OTHER TANK.
The risk: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE CAPACITY OF THE RECEIVING TANK MAY BE EXCEEDED AND FUEL MAY OVERFLOW FROM THE FILLER CAP.
The remedy: FORD IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FOR POTENTIAL FUEL CROSS-FLOW TO 12 YEARS OF SERVICE OR 150,000 MILES FROM THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY START DATE, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. THIS COVER WILL AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFER TO SUBSEQUENT OWNERS AT NO CHARGE. IF A VEHICLE ALREADY HAS MORE THAN 150,000 MILES, THIS OVERAGE WILL LAST UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2001. IF THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING A FUEL CROSS-FLOW CONDITION, DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE CONDITION FREE OF CHARGE.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Apr 25, 1996
7,900,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Feb 23, 1994
89,770 units potentially affected
The defect: THE STEEL FUEL RETURN TUBES THAT CONNECT THE FRAME FUEL RETURN LINES WITH THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL CAN CONTACT THE PINCH WELD FLANGE CONNECTING THE DASH PANEL TO THE FLOOR PAN. CONTINUED CONTACT LEADS TO ABRASION OF THE STEEL FUEL RETURN TUBE AND EVENTUALLY RESULTS IN A FUEL LEAK.
The risk: ABRASION OF THE STEEL TUBE WALL THAT EVENTUALLY CAUSES A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT IN A FIRE, IF A SOURCE OF IGNITION IS PRESENT.
The remedy: FORD DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RETURN TUBES WITH FLEXIBLE STAINLESS STEEL BRAIDED/TEFLON TUBES. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE FUEL SUPPLY TUBES.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

EA99032ClosedEngineering Analysis

DUAL FUEL TANK CROSSFLOW/LEAKAGE

Opened Nov 4, 1999
Closed Dec 6, 2001

ON JULY 14, 1993 FORD FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT CONCERNING FUEL TANK CROSS FLOW LEAKAGE ON F-SERIES LIGHT TRUCKS AND CAB CHASSIS BUILT FROM JULY 22, 1989 THROUGH DECEMBER 17, 1992.THE REMEDY WAS TO REPLACE THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR AND INSTALL A CHECK VALVE BETWEEN EACH FUEL SUPPLY LINE AND FUEL TANK (2) TO REPAIR THE SUPPLY SIDE FUEL CROSS FLOW PROBLEM (RECALL 93V-125).ODI OPENED RQ98-008 ON MAY 29, 1998 BECAUSE OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF ALLEGED REMEDY FAILURES AND REPORTS OF FUEL CROSS FLOW ON VEHICLES OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL POPULATION.BASED ONTHE INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM FORD ON AUGUST 11, SEPTEMBER 30, AND DECEMBER 15, 1998, AND THE INCREASING TREND OF REMEDY FAILURES AND OUT OF SCOPE CROSSFLOW REPORTS, ODI OPENED EA99-032 ON NOVEMBER 4, 1999.THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT FULLY DESCRIBES THE RESULTS OF THIS INVESTIGATION AND REASON FOR CLOSING.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE FUEL TRANSFER FROM ONE TANK TO THE OTHER DUE TO MALFUNCTIONS IN THE FUEL SYSTEM.WHEN FUEL IS PUMPED OR RETURNED TO THE NON-OPERATING TANK (CROSS FLOW), THE CAPACITY OF THE NON-OPERATING TANK CAN BE EXCEEDED, CAUSING FUEL TO OVERFLOW PAST THE FILLER CAP, CREATING A FIRE POTENTIAL.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGESLed to recall 00V424000
PE94004ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE CRACKS/LEAKS

Opened Jan 25, 1994
Closed Apr 29, 1994

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
EA93014ClosedEngineering Analysis

ALTERNATOR BELT FAILURE

Opened Jun 4, 1993
Closed Jul 29, 1994

There is no summary currently available

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
EA93001ClosedEngineering Analysis

FUEL EXPULSION

Opened Jan 7, 1993
Closed Aug 20, 1993

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGESLed to recall 93V125000

Recent owner complaints

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

Fuel system
Filed Jul 15, 2005

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 AND THE REPAIR FACILITY. FORD WAS STILL NOT WILLING TO HELP. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS. THE CUSTOMER WAS HAVING IT REPAIRED AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. IF THERE WAS A SAFETY ISSUE ON THIS PROBLEM IT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OFF BY DEALER NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES IT COMES UP.*AK *JB

NHTSA ID
10125621
Incident
Jul 1, 2005
Mileage
44,470 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 27, 2004

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 WORK FOR THE RECALL WAS INSUFFICIENTLY DONE BECAUSE OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING CURRENTLY. *AK

NHTSA ID
10089939
Incident
Aug 24, 2004
Mileage
180,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 11, 2003

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

NHTSA ID
10024386
Incident
Jun 18, 2003
Mileage
1,500 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 7, 2002

I AM SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER, I AM TED SCHORE OF OCALA,FL PINEYWOODS AUTOMOTIVE 352-629-6727 THE CUSTOMER HAD THE TRUCK TOWED IN BECAUSE OF A NO START (BATTERY WAS BAD) AND AFTER THE REPAIR AND RUNNING NOTICED A FUEL SMELL AND LARGE FUEL LEAK FROM THE BELL HOUSING AREA. THE LEAK WAS FROM THE FUEL RETURN LINE FROM THE PRESSURE REGULATOR TO THE CONNECTION TO THE LINE FROM THE TANK, APPROX 12 INCHES LONG AND METAL. THE PINCH WELD ABOVE THE BELL HOUSING RUBBED THE LINE THROUGH. I CHECK FOR SERVICE BULLETINS AND RECALLS AND FOUND A RECALL NUMBER 94S80, I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER TO ARRANGE TOWING AND FOR THE RECALL TO BE PERFORMED AND WAS TOLD THE RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE BY BAY HARBOR FORD IN ENGLEWOOD FLORIDA. I CALLED THE 1-800 NUMBER GIVEN TO ME BY THE LOCAL DEALER (DEARBORN?) AND WAS TOLD THE IT HAD INDEED BEEN DONE BUT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT NOW, I INFORMED THEM THAT ALTHOUGH THEY SHOW IT BEING DONE THAT IT WAS NOT THEY PRETTY MUCH SAID IT WAS NOT FORDS PROBLEM AND THE CUSTOMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. WELL MY PROBLEM IS THIS. THE BAY HARBOR FORD HAS BEEN PAID TO PERFORM THE RECALL BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN DONE. THE OLD LINE WAS METAL WHERE THE NEW RECALL WAS FOR A PLASTIC LINE, THE KIT ALSO HAD A VINYL TRIM PIECE TO COVER THE PINCH WELD THAT RUBBED THE LINE IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE KIT NUMBER FROM FORD WAS F4TZ-9J332-A I WAS TOLD IT WAS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER BUT THE PARTS MAN WAS ABLE TO GET IT THROUGH ANOTHER FORD DEALER. I JUST WANTED TO INFORM YOU OF THIS BECAUSE IT WAS A REAL FIRE DANGER AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. FORD"S ATTITUDE WAS JUST PLAIN WRONG. I WOULD THINK THAT THE DEARBORN OFFICE WOULD HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER, INSPECTED, MADE NOTE OF THE RECALL NOT BEING DONE, PERFORMED THE RECALL AND GO AFTER BAY HARBOR FORD, BUT IN SO MANY WORDS I WAS TOLD TOUGH. I THINK I SAVED THEM FROM A BIG LAWSUIT AS THE CUSTOMER HAULS HORSES. BIG DOLLAR HORSES.

NHTSA ID
757905
Incident
Feb 4, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Feb 1, 2002

THERE HAS BEEN MULTIPLE RECALL NOTICES FOR THE FORD F-SERIES DUAL FUEL TANK DESIGN FLAW. WHEN BOTH TANKS ON MY TRUCK ARE FILLED TO CAPACITY, ONE TANK WILL EMPTY ITS CONTENTS INTO THE OTHER FULL FUEL TANK AND WILL SPRAY OUT FUEL ON TO THE ROAD AND OTHER VEHICLES POSING A GREAT FIRE HAZARD. EACH TIME I HAVE TAKEN MY TRUCK IN TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED ON MY TRUCK BY THE LOCAL DEALER (MCCULLOM FORD IN SPOKANE WA) THEY HAVE RETURNED MY TRUCK WITHOUT FIXING THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE INDICATED THAT THEY HAVE PERFORMED FORDS RECOMMENDED FIX AND THAT IT HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A FORD MOTOR CO. DESIGN FLAW. I WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON HOW I CAN HAVE THIS UNSAFE CONDITION ADDRESSED. THANK YOU.*AK

NHTSA ID
757633
Engine
Filed Oct 15, 2001
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE UNDERNEATH VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE WAS CAUSED BY EXHAUST PIPE BEING TOO CLOSE. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
897741
Incident
Oct 4, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Feb 20, 2001

93 V 125 000/FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY: VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PORTION OF UNUSED FUEL FROM ONE TANK TO BE RETURNED TO SECOND TANK. WHEN THIS OCCURRED SECOND TANK EXCEEDED, CAUSING FUEL SPILLAGES. SPILLED FUEL COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VIN SHOWED THAT RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE ON THIS VEHICLE. BUT PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED, AND DEALER REFUSED TO HELP IN THIS MATTER. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER: *AK

NHTSA ID
880905
Incident
Jul 15, 1999
Tires & wheels
Filed Nov 21, 2000

THIS PARTICULAR TIRE EXPLODED @ ABOUT 60 MPH ON MY TRUCK .I HAD A 5TH WHEEL TRAILER ON BEHIND AT THE TIME . IT CAUSED 1150.00 DOLLARS DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK. THIS IS THE 7TH OR EIGHTH TIRE OF THE SAME BRAND &TYPE THAT I HAD GO BAD. THE OTHERS HAD THE BELTS COME LOOSE AND START VIBERATING. I WOULD TAKE THEM BACK TO A SEARS STORE AND THEY WOULD GIVE ME AN ADJUSTMENT AND CHARGE ME 75% OF A NEW TIRE AND PUT THE SAME TYPE BACK ON. I WOULD QUESTION THEM ABOUT THE SAFTY OF THE TIRE & THEY WOULD JUST SHAKE THEIR HEADS. THE FIRST TWO TIRES WERE BOUGHT IN FARMINGTON NM. ON THE28TH OF JULY 1998.THE LAST TWO WERE BOUGHT THE 19 OF OCT.1999 . TWO MORE WERE REMOVED THE 6TH OF SEPT. 2000 BUT WERE REPLACED WITH DIFFERENT TYPE . IWAS TOLD THE QUIT MAKING IT IN MY SIZE. I STILL HAVE THREE IN MY POSESSION . ONE IS BLOWN AND THEY WANT ME TO SEND IT TO PIRELLI FOR EVAUATION. SEARS WANTS TO PASS THE BUCK TO PIRELLI . IT IS MY CONTENTION THE TIRES ARE DIFFENETLY DANGEROUS TO THE PUBLIC. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BRING MY TRUCK UNDER CONTROL . I MIGHT ADD THAT THESE TIRES THAT HAVE LOST THEIR BELTS HAVE BEEN ON ALL FOR CORNERS OF THE TRUCK WHEN THEY WENT BAD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.*AK (DOT NUMBER: CHOR524 TIRESIZE: 235 85 R16)

NHTSA ID
736729
Incident
Nov 3, 2000

Manufacturer communications

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

01156

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC

01157

INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC

002310

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

SUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. *TT

98167

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION-E40D-NO 2-3 UPSHIFT. SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A NO 2-3 UPSHIFT CONDITION. *AK

98168

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION- E40D/4R100-1989-99-MAIN CONTROLS, SEPARATOR PLATES AND SEPARATOR PLATE GASKETS USAGE CHART. YD

0038

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

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

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 F-350 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2019001
2018001
2017001
2015001
2014910140.2
2013761149.8
20121494153.0
20111364154.0
2010010
2009283048.8
20081319161.1
2007365252.3
20061456260.4
20051145253.1
20041593258.5
2003903265.0
20021163261.1
20011606565.8
20003045465.1
199941313464.4
1998121249.9
19971554260.9
19961304159.9
19951343159.1
1994957462.8
19931019360.6
1992527963.9
19913171166.8
1990Viewing3971162.8
1989425766.4
1988294873.5
1987827
1986142656.4
1985414
1984234
1983173
1982021
1981241
1980051
1979041
1978091
1977031
1976011
1975140
1974010
1973030
1972030
1969010
1968020
1967010

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.