1990 Ford F-150 Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank:selector Devices (17.5% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that closed with a recall campaign (93V125000).
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank:selector Devices complaints here are 7.0× the median for that category across the 1401 model-years tracked on this site.
None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank:selector Devices | 48 · 17.5% | Investigation closed | RQ98008 → recall 93V125000 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly | 34 · 12.4% | Investigation closed | RQ98008 → recall 93V125000 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank | 17 · 6.2% | Investigation closed | RQ98008 → recall 93V125000 |
| Electrical System:ignition:switch | 17 · 6.2% | No official action | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump | 15 · 5.5% | Investigation closed | RQ98008 → recall 93V125000 |
| Tires:tread/belt | 12 · 4.4% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 275 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns are on file for this vehicle. New recalls can be issued at any time — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“THE DUAL FUEL TANKS ARE PUSHING THE GASOLINE FROM ONE TANK TO THE OTHER, WHICH IS CAUSING THEM TO OVERFLOW AND LEAK. DEALER SAYS THE…”NHTSA complaint 834007 — filed 01/27/1999 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES
“FUEL IN REA RTANK BECOMES MUCH HIGHER THAN IN THE FRONT TANK, PRESSURE BUILDS UP, AND FUEL SPILLS OUT OF REAR TANK. CAN EASILY LOSE…”NHTSA complaint 781724 — filed 01/06/1999 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES
“THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY. FUEL CHECK VALVES MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING GAS TO TRANSFER FROM TANK TO TANK. THE DEFECTS DESCRIBED…”NHTSA complaint 831116 — filed 11/20/1998 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1990 Ford F-150?
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:auxillary tank:selector devices issues are the most-reported category, cited in 48 of 275 NHTSA complaints (17.5%), followed by fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly (34), fuel system, gasoline:storage:auxillary tank (17), electrical system:ignition:switch (17). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1990 Ford F-150 have?
275 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 8 involved a crash, 32 involved a fire, and 11 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 1990 Ford F-150 have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns are on file for this vehicle. New recalls can be issued at any time — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1990 Ford F-150's reported problems?
0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
