1990 Ford F150: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1990 Ford F150: 4 recalls, 275 owner complaints and up to 16 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #89V141000 · 1989 · 1,100 vehicles
What's wrong: Incorrectly installed fuel line connectors have fuel supply and return lines crossed.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Replace fuel line assembly.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #90V101000 · 1990 · 111,000 vehicles
What's wrong: Under certain conditions, the snap ring that locates the park gear on the output shaft of the transmission May fracture.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Install improved snap ring and revised transmission extension housing.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #93V125000 · 1993 · 1,131,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Spilled fuel can result in a fire when exposed to asource of ignition.
The fix: Replacement of the fuel pressure regulator and installation of redundant check valves.
Electrical Vehicle recall #96V071000 · 1996 · 7,900,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Why it matters: This condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle.
The fix: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Fuel system Recall #01I008000 · 2001 · 1,556,221 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: Should this occur, the capacity of the receiving tank May be exceeded and fuel May overflow from the filler cap.
The fix: 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…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 32 mention a fire, 11 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Fuel system (135): the most common themes are leaks (47), fire / smoke (11).
- Electrical (37): the most common themes are fire / smoke (26), electrical failure (14).
- Engine & cooling (21): the most common themes are leaks (7), fire / smoke (3), stalls / loses power (2).
- Tires (19): the most common themes are tire tread / blowout (19).
Complaints peaked in 1996 (51 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 97,900 miles.
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.9 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 16 | Regular |
| 4.9 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 18 | 16 | Regular |
| 4.9 L 6-cyl | Manual 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 17 | 15 | Regular |
| 4.9 L 6-cyl | Manual 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 16 | 15 | Regular |
| 4.9 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | Regular |
| 4.9 L 6-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 15 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.0 L 8-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
| 4.9 L 6-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 15 | 14 | Regular |
| 4.9 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 | 16 | 14 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1990 Ford F150.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 1990 Ford F150 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 1990 Ford F150, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1990 Ford F150 problems?
Owners have filed 275 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are fuel system (135), electrical (37), engine & cooling (21).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Ford F150 get?
EPA ratings run up to 16 mpg combined (4.9 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 19 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1990 Ford F150 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.