IllustrationDRIVING IN TOWN AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WITHOUT WARNING SMOKE JUST STARTED COMING OUT FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. TURNED OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH AND GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE. ABOUT A ONE MINUTE LATER THE VEHICLE WENT UP IN FLAMES WITHOUT WARNING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
1991 Ford F-150
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1991 Ford F-150 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 676.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all F-150 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 39 of 304 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 149 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
12 crash reports41 fire reports7 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
50 reportsAN HOUR AFTER THE ALTERNATOR HAD BEEN REPLACED THE ALTERNATER CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PULLING INTO AN DRIVEWAY AT THE SPEED OF 5MPH. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER RECALL (#96V071000). IGNITION WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY UNLESS SHAKEN/JIGGLED A FEW TIMES. TOOK TO DEALE,. WAS INFORMED NOTHING WRONG W/IGNITION. *AK
CONSUMER STATES THAT WIRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE RESULTED IN FIRE, RECALL 96S28. *SLC
RECALL NOS 93V125000 & 96V071000 REGARDING IGNITION SWITCH, CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TWICE TO THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE HAS NOT BEEN PROVIDED DUE TO LACK OF TIME. *AK
WHILE DRIVING THE HARNESS IN THE ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
WHILE DRIVNG THE VEHICLE THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND THE LOCKING MECHANSIM ENGAGED SO STEERING BECAME IMPOSSIBLE.*AK
CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE DASH BY THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE PARKED . *AK CONSUMER STATES HE FIRST NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE AREA AROUND THE BRAKE PEDAL AND LOWER STEERING COLUMN, EXTENSIVE DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE WIRING AND DASHBOARD. *SLC
ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *SD
TRUCK WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF AND CUAGHT ON FIRE, PLEASE DESCRIBE. **AK
Official recalls
396V071000 · Electrical System:ignition
Apr 25, 1996
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence & remedy
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.
93V125000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
Aug 2, 1993
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 & remedy
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.
93V066000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar
Apr 27, 1993
KEYS ATTACHED TO THE KEY RING OF AN IGNITION KEY WHILE IT IS IN THE VEHICLE IGNITION CAN BECOME LODGED IN THE STEERING LOCK RECEIVER AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS BEING TURNED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE LODGED KEYS CAN CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHICHCAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING USED ON THE HIGHWAY.
Remedy: A SHIELD WILL BE POSITIONED BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE IGNITION SWITCH AND HELD IN PLACE BY THE STEERING LOCK BAND.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
12EA99032 · Dual Fuel Tank Crossflow/leakage
Opened Nov 4, 1999 · Closed Dec 6, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
ON JULY 14, 1993 FORD FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT CONCERNING FUEL TANK CROSS FLOW LEAKAGE ON F-SERIES LIGHT TRUCKS AND CAB CHASSIS BUILT FROM JULY 22, 1989 THROUGH DECEMBER 17, 1992.THE REMEDY WAS TO REPLACE THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR AND INSTALL A CHECK VALVE BETWEEN EACH FUEL SUPPLY LINE AND FUEL TANK (2) TO REPAIR THE SUPPLY SIDE FUEL CROSS FLOW PROBLEM (RECALL 93V-125).ODI OPENED RQ98-008 ON MAY 29, 1998 BECAUSE OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF ALLEGED REMEDY FAILURES AND REPORTS OF FUEL CROSS FLOW ON VEHICLES OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL POPULATION.BASED ONTHE INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM FORD ON AUGUST 11, SEPTEMBER 30, AND DECEMBER 15, 1998, AND THE INCREASING TREND OF REMEDY FAILURES AND OUT OF SCOPE CROSSFLOW REPORTS, ODI OPENED EA99-032 ON NOVEMBER 4, 1999.THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT FULLY DESCRIBES THE RESULTS OF THIS INVESTIGATION AND REASON FOR CLOSING.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE FUEL TRANSFER FROM ONE TANK TO THE OTHER DUE TO MALFUNCTIONS IN THE FUEL SYSTEM.WHEN FUEL IS PUMPED OR RETURNED TO THE NON-OPERATING TANK (CROSS FLOW), THE CAPACITY OF THE NON-OPERATING TANK CAN BE EXCEEDED, CAUSING FUEL TO OVERFLOW PAST THE FILLER CAP, CREATING A FIRE POTENTIAL.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
ON JULY 14, 1993 FORD FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT CONCERNING FUEL TANK CROSS FLOW LEAKAGE ON F-SERIES LIGHT TRUCKS AND CAB CHASSIS BUILT FROM JULY 22, 1989 THROUGH DECEMBER 17, 1992.THE REMEDY WAS TO REPLACE THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR AND INSTALL A CHECK VALVE BETWEEN EACH FUEL SUPPLY LINE AND FUEL TANK (2) TO REPAIR THE SUPPLY SIDE FUEL CROSS FLOW PROBLEM (RECALL 93V-125).ODI OPENED RQ98-008 ON MAY 29, 1998 BECAUSE OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF ALLEGED REMEDY FAILURES AND REPORTS OF FUEL CROSS FLOW ON VEHICLES OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL POPULATION.BASED ONTHE INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM FORD ON AUGUST 11, SEPTEMBER 30, AND DECEMBER 15, 1998, AND THE INCREASING TREND OF REMEDY FAILURES AND OUT OF SCOPE CROSSFLOW REPORTS, ODI OPENED EA99-032 ON NOVEMBER 4, 1999.THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT FULLY DESCRIBES THE RESULTS OF THIS INVESTIGATION AND REASON FOR CLOSING.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE FUEL TRANSFER FROM ONE TANK TO THE OTHER DUE TO MALFUNCTIONS IN THE FUEL SYSTEM.WHEN FUEL IS PUMPED OR RETURNED TO THE NON-OPERATING TANK (CROSS FLOW), THE CAPACITY OF THE NON-OPERATING TANK CAN BE EXCEEDED, CAUSING FUEL TO OVERFLOW PAST THE FILLER CAP, CREATING A FIRE POTENTIAL.
Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
ON JULY 14, 1993 FORD FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT CONCERNING FUEL TANK CROSS FLOW LEAKAGE ON F-SERIES LIGHT TRUCKS AND CAB CHASSIS BUILT FROM JULY 22, 1989 THROUGH DECEMBER 17, 1992.THE REMEDY WAS TO REPLACE THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR AND INSTALL A CHECK VALVE BETWEEN EACH FUEL SUPPLY LINE AND FUEL TANK (2) TO REPAIR THE SUPPLY SIDE FUEL CROSS FLOW PROBLEM (RECALL 93V-125).ODI OPENED RQ98-008 ON MAY 29, 1998 BECAUSE OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF ALLEGED REMEDY FAILURES AND REPORTS OF FUEL CROSS FLOW ON VEHICLES OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL POPULATION.BASED ONTHE INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM FORD ON AUGUST 11, SEPTEMBER 30, AND DECEMBER 15, 1998, AND THE INCREASING TREND OF REMEDY FAILURES AND OUT OF SCOPE CROSSFLOW REPORTS, ODI OPENED EA99-032 ON NOVEMBER 4, 1999.THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT FULLY DESCRIBES THE RESULTS OF THIS INVESTIGATION AND REASON FOR CLOSING.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE FUEL TRANSFER FROM ONE TANK TO THE OTHER DUE TO MALFUNCTIONS IN THE FUEL SYSTEM.WHEN FUEL IS PUMPED OR RETURNED TO THE NON-OPERATING TANK (CROSS FLOW), THE CAPACITY OF THE NON-OPERATING TANK CAN BE EXCEEDED, CAUSING FUEL TO OVERFLOW PAST THE FILLER CAP, CREATING A FIRE POTENTIAL.
RQ98008 · Ford F-SERIES Dual Fuel Tank Leakage
Opened May 29, 1998 · Closed Nov 4, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
THESE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE FUEL TRANSFER FROM ONE TANK TO THE OTHER DUE TO A MALFUNCTIONING FUEL PUMP.FROM THE INFORMATION GATHERED TO DATE, IT APPEARS THAT THERE CAN BE MULTIPLE CAUSES AND/OR A COMBINATION OF CAUSES FOR FUEL CROSS FLOW AND THAT THE RECALL REMEDY MAY BE INADEQUATE.FURTHER INVESTIGATION IS NEEDED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS UPGRADED TO EA99-032.CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
EA93022 · Idle Air Spd Ctrl Vlv Malf
Opened Jul 30, 1993 · Closed Aug 31, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
PE93010 · Idle Air Spd Ctrl Vlv Malf
Opened Mar 2, 1993 · Closed Jul 30, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
EA93001 · Fuel Expulsion
Opened Jan 7, 1993 · Closed Aug 20, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE92077 · Fuel Expulsion
Opened Sep 9, 1992 · Closed Jan 7, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
EA92029 · Front Seat Back Failure
Opened Aug 27, 1992 · Closed Oct 29, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats
There is no summary currently available
PE92042 · Fnt Reclning Seat Bck Fail
Opened Apr 17, 1992 · Closed Aug 27, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:recliner
There is no summary currently available
EA91044 · Loss Of Brake Effectivenes
Opened Oct 30, 1991 · Closed Oct 30, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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EA91031 · Fuel Expulsion
Opened Jun 26, 1991 · Closed Nov 1, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE91077 · Loss Of Brake Effectivenes
Opened May 23, 1991 · Closed Oct 31, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
PE91064 · Transmission Fluid Fires
Opened Apr 9, 1991 · Closed Jul 5, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
There is no summary currently available