Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1990 Ford F250, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Fuel system, gasoline35
- Service brakes, hydraulic27
- Electrical system14
- Power train11
- Engine and engine cooling10
- Tires6
- Vehicle speed control3
- Structure3
- Visibility2
- Fuel system, diesel2
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Recalls
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
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.
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.
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.
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE SNAP RING THAT LOCATES THE PARK GEAR ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION MAY FRACTURE.
INCORRECTLY INSTALLED FUEL LINE CONNECTORS HAVE FUEL SUPPLY AND RETURN LINES CROSSED.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 1990 Ford F250: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 613350 | SERVICE TIP INFORMATION REGARDING THE REVERSE CLUTCH PISTON AND PISTON SEAL USAGE. *TT |
| 609737 | TRANSMISSION- E40D/4R100-1989-99-MAIN CONTROLS, SEPARATOR PLATES AND SEPARATOR PLATE GASKETS USAGE CHART. YD |
| 609736 | TRANSMISSION-E40D-NO 2-3 UPSHIFT. SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A NO 2-3 UPSHIFT CONDITION. *AK |
| 605721 | SOME VEHICLES MAY DEVELOP "CAVITATION" EROSION IN THE CYLINDER WALL OF THE ENGINE. *TT |
| 601312 | INFORMATION ON A BUZZING OR RATTLE NOISE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TT |
| 601290 | INFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC |
| 601269 | ANNOUNCING THE FORD OEM AIR CONDITIONING RETROFIT KIT AVAILABILITY. *YC |
| 601045 | FRONT CALIPER PISTON BOOTS DAMAGED. *YC |
| 601036 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT EXCESSIVE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, IRREGULAR FRONT LINING WEAR, AND BRAKE PULL. *YC |
| 601012 | THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE. *YC |
| 601010 | RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES FOR TOWING BEHIND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES. *TT |
| 51987 | FUEL ECONOMY- CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS VERSUS VEHICLE USAGE. *JD |
| 51945 | FLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD |
| 51691 | ACCESSORY DRIVE BELTS- FEAD BELT COMES OFF- VEHICLES WITH 4.9L ENGINE. *JD |
| 51689 | FRAME- RIVET REPLACEMENT WITH BOLTS- SERVICE TIPS. *JD |
| 51669 | NOISE- "POPPING/CREAKING"- FRONT FRAME OR SUSPENSION BRACKETS- FRAME- "POPPING/CREAKING"- FASTENER REPLACEMENT. *JD |
| 51401 | DIAGNOSTIC GUIDES FOR OUT-OF-WARRANTY VEHICLES TO BE USED AS A MASTER COPY - DIAGNOSTIC GUIDES NO LONGER AVAILABLE FROM ADISTRA. *TW |
| 50997 | TRANSAXLE - TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES AND TORQUE CONVERTER/TRANSAXLE COOLING SYSTEM CLEANING PROCEDURES - SERVICE TIP. *TW |
| 50940 | WINDSHIELD AND INTERIOR GLASS - FOG/FILM. *TW |
| 50908 | TORQUE CONVERTER - LEAK TEST PROCEDURE - SERVICE TIP. *TW |
| 50905 | WIRING - ELECTRICAL DIODE IDENTIFICATION AND SERVICE REPLACEMENTS. *TW |
| 46478 | THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE BECAUSE IT MAY BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE RUBBER MATERIAL USED IN THE DISC BRAKE SYSTEM. IF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE IS USED TO LUBRICATE ANY PART OF THE DISC BRAKE SYSTEM, IT COULD CAUSE RUBBER PARTS TO SWELL IF LUBRICANT CONTACTS THE RUBBER MATERIAL. |
| 45943 | STEERING GEAR-REPLACEMENT OF BENDIX, STEERING GEAR WITH NEW ROSS STEEERING GEAR. *SD |
| 45086 | DELAYED FORWARD ENGAGEMENT AND/OR HEAT STAINED FORWARD CLUTCH PLATES AFTER INSTALLING CENTER SUPPORT SERVICE. *TW |
| 45085 | REVISED DESIGN TRANSMISSION REAR CASE BUSHING. *TW |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
DUAL FUEL TANK CROSSFLOW/LEAKAGE
FORD F-SERIES DUAL FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
FUEL LINE ROUTING
ALTERNATOR BELT FAILURE
FUEL EXPULSION
FUEL EXPULSION
LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES
FUEL EXPULSION
SPARE TIRE FIRES
LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES
TRANSMISSION FLUID FIRES
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation