Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1990 Ford F-250: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 1990 Ford F-250, most recently filed April 1996. Owners have filed 111 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the fuel system.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 6campaigns 3 fuel system · 1 electrical · 1 brake Source: NHTSA Complaints 111filed Owner reports, 1986–1995 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Fuel economy 15mpg combined $4,354/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 4.9 L 6-cyl· 4-speed automatic 17 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
Compare

Recalls (6)

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 1990 Ford F-250. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1990 Ford F-250. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 96V071000 Filed Apr 25, 1996

FORD/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Electrical system · ignition
Official NHTSA text
Summary
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
Repair progress not yet reported7,900,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 96V071000
Listed for 1990 Ford F-250. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 94V040000 Filed Feb 23, 1994

FUEL:FUEL LINES:METALLIC

Fuel system, gasoline · delivery · hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
ABRASION OF THE STEEL TUBE WALL THAT EVENTUALLY CAUSES A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT IN A FIRE, IF A SOURCE OF IGNITION IS PRESENT.
Remedy
FORD DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RETURN TUBES WITH FLEXIBLE STAINLESS STEEL BRAIDED/TEFLON TUBES. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE FUEL SUPPLY TUBES.
Repair progress not yet reported89,770 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 94V040000
Listed for 1990 Ford F-250. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 93V125000 Filed Aug 2, 1993

FUEL:FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY

Fuel system, gasoline · storage · tank assembly
Official NHTSA text
Summary
A MALFUNCTIONING CHECK VALVE WITHIN THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY CAUSES A PORTION OF THE UNUSED FUEL FROM ONE TANK TO BE RETURNED TO THE SECOND TANK. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE CAPACITY OF THE SECOND TANK CAN BE EXCEEDED, CAUSING FUEL SPILLAGE.
Consequence
SPILLED FUEL CAN RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO ASOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy
REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR AND INSTALLATION OF REDUNDANT CHECK VALVES.
Repair progress not yet reported1,131,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 93V125000
Listed for 1990 Ford F-250. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 92V026000 Filed Mar 3, 1992

BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:SHOE AND DRUM SYSTEM:LININGS

Service brakes, hydraulic · foundation components · drum · shoes/linings
Official NHTSA text
Summary
A REVISED BRAKE LINING NOISE INSULATOR RESULTED IN A DECREASE IN THE THERMAL INSULATION BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINING AND THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER PISTON. THIS CAUSED GREATER HEAT TRANSFER TO THE CALIPER PISTONS WITH THE POTENTIAL TO OVERHEAT THE BRAKE FLUID AND DIMINISH BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS DURING SEVERE BRAKING CONDITIONS.
Consequence
INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES AND INABLILITY TO HOLDVEHICLES ON A STEEP GRADE RESULTS IN INCREASED RISK OF ACCIDENT IN THE EVENT OFA SUDDEN STOP OR WHEN CONSTANT BRAKING IS NEEDED TO MANEUVER THROUGH AREAS WITHSTEEP GRADES.
Remedy
ADD SNAP-IN INSULATORS THAT ATTACH TO EACH OF THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER PISTONS. IN ADDITION, VEHICLES WITH 7.5 L ENGINES WILL HAVE INSULATION ADDED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BRAKE LINES.
Repair progress not yet reported467,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 92V026000
Listed for 1990 Ford F-250. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 90V101000 Filed Jun 1, 1990

POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:AUTOMATIC:INDICATOR:LEVER

Power train · automatic transmission · gear position indication (prndl)
Official NHTSA text
Summary
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE SNAP RING THAT LOCATES THE PARK GEAR ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION MAY FRACTURE.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
INSTALL IMPROVED SNAP RING AND REVISED TRANSMISSION EXTENSION HOUSING.
Repair progress not yet reported111,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 90V101000
Listed for 1990 Ford F-250. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 89V141000 Filed Aug 15, 1989

FUEL:FUEL TANK:AUXILLARY SELECTOR AND SWITCH

Fuel system, gasoline · storage · auxillary tank · selector devices
Official NHTSA text
Summary
INCORRECTLY INSTALLED FUEL LINE CONNECTORS HAVE FUEL SUPPLY AND RETURN LINES CROSSED.
Consequence
FUEL COULD BE TRANSFERRED FROM ONE TANK TO THE OTHER,POSSIBLY RESULTING IN FUEL OVERFLOW AND SPILLAGE, IN PRESENCE OF AN IGNITIONSOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
REPLACE FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY.
Repair progress not yet reported1,100 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 89V141000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which F-250 years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Ford F-250All model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (111)

111 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The fuel system is mentioned most often.

4involved a crash
14involved a fire
1injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1990 Ford F-250, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 111.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1990 compares with other F-250 years

Best and worst F-250 years →
38 38 62 112 111 107 119 130 123 184
1986198719881989199019911992199319941995
This year (1990)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 15 mpg combined

15
mpg combined
14
city
17
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$4,450
CO₂ tailpipe
593 g/mi
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks

What it costs you to run

$4,354per year
$363per month
1,000gallons a year

Miles ÷ 15 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

1990 Ford F-250 configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
4.9 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive14 / 17 / 15$4,450593
4.9 L 6-cyl · 4-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive14 / 16 / 15$4,450593
4.9 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive14 / 17 / 15$4,450593
4.9 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive14 / 17 / 15$4,450593
4.9 L 6-cyl · 4-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive15 / 17 / 15$4,450593
5 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive12 / 17 / 14$4,800635
5 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive13 / 17 / 14$4,800635
5 L 8-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive13 / 17 / 14$4,800635
4.9 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive13 / 16 / 14$4,800635
4.9 L 6-cyl · 3-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive13 / 14 / 13$5,150684
5 L 8-cyl · 4-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive12 / 14 / 13$5,150684
5 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive11 / 16 / 13$5,150684
5 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive11 / 16 / 13$5,150684
5 L 8-cyl · 5-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive11 / 15 / 13$5,150684
5.8 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive10 / 14 / 12$5,600741
5 L 8-cyl · 4-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive11 / 13 / 12$5,600741
5.8 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive10 / 14 / 12$5,600741

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1990 F-250 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All F-250 years

Where to next

Which F-250 years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →1991 Ford F-250 report107 complaints · 5 campaigns →1989 Ford F-250 report112 complaints · 6 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

1990 Ford F-250 FAQ

How many recalls does the 1990 Ford F-250 have?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns: 96V071000 (electrical), 94V040000 (fuel system), 93V125000 (fuel system), 92V026000 (brake), 90V101000 (power train), 89V141000 (fuel system). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1990 Ford F-250 problems?

Owners filed 111 complaints with NHTSA. Fuel system (39), Service brakes (28), Electrical system (14) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1990 Ford F-250 get?

EPA rates the 4.9 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 14 city, 17 highway and 15 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1990 F-250 compare with other years?

Among the 1986–1995 Ford F-250 model years at least five years old, the 1986 drew the fewest complaints (38) and the 1995 the most (184). The 1990 drew 111. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
Report an errorMethodologyHow we use AI
Was this report useful?Report a data error
My Garage
Save this car and we'll flag new recall campaigns next time you visit.