CarModelProblems.com

1990 Ford F-150 Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank:selector Devices — runs 7.0× the fleet median for that category across the 1400 model-years tracked on this site.
275Complaints
0Recalls
8Crashes
32Fires
11Injured
0Deaths

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) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank:selector Devices complaints here are 7.0× the median for that category across the 1400 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank:selector Devices48 · 17.5%not available
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly34 · 12.4%not available
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank17 · 6.2%not available
Electrical System:ignition:switch17 · 6.2%not available
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump15 · 5.5%not available
Tires:tread/belt12 · 4.4%not available

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

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK17 · 6.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH17 · 6.2%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP15 · 5.5%
TIRES:TREAD/BELT12 · 4.4%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION11 · 4%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE11 · 4%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP10 · 3.6%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION9 · 3.3%

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

72003862005262007432009212014422016212019212021

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 07/12/2026. 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?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

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.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.