IllustrationFIRE BROKE OUT IN THE DASHBOARD.THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE IGNITION, HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS INFORMED VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.*JB
1990 Ford F250
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all F250 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: 10 of 107 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 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports14 fire reports1 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
14 reportsTRUCK DIED ON BUSY INTERSTATE AT 65MPH. AFTER 30 MINUTES OF COOL DOWN TIME. TRUCK RESTARTED AND MADE IT TO AUTO STORE. REPLACED IGNITION MODULE. OKAY NOW.*AK
WHILE DRIVING NORMAL SPEED TRUCK STALLED ,CAUSING STEERING, BRAKING AND SEVERAL THINGS TO STOP, NEARLY CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
CONTINUING STALLING OF THE ENGINE SINCE SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE TRUCK HAD ONLY 27000 MILES ON IT WHEN I PURCHASED IT. I THOUGHT IT NEEDED A TUNE UP. HOWEVER, A COMPLETE TUNE UP WHICH I HAD AT APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES DID NOT FIX THE OCCASIONAL STALLING. I WAS TOLD AFTER A DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEMS CHECK THAT…
Read full complaint
CONTINUING STALLING OF THE ENGINE SINCE SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE TRUCK HAD ONLY 27000 MILES ON IT WHEN I PURCHASED IT. I THOUGHT IT NEEDED A TUNE UP. HOWEVER, A COMPLETE TUNE UP WHICH I HAD AT APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES DID NOT FIX THE OCCASIONAL STALLING. I WAS TOLD AFTER A DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEMS CHECK THAT IT WAS THE EGR VALVE AND I HAD THAT REPLACED. IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. NOW, WITH THE HEAT OF THE SUMMER THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE WITH IT STALLING WHENEVER I SLOW DOWN FOR CURVES, HIGHWAY EXITS, ETC. WHEN I HAVE ASKED A LOCAL FORD DEALER PARTS PERSON ABOUT THE STALLING PROBLEM THEY HAVE STILL POINTED TO THE EGR VALVE. BUT AFTER HEARING YESTERDAY'S NEWS REPORT ABOUT THE TFI MODULE AND COMPARING MY STALLING PROBLEMS TO WHAT I HAVE LEARNED, I WOULD SAY THAT IT IS THE TFI MODULE. THIS STALLING COULD DEFINITELY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. TO REPLACE THE MODULE THE DEALER COST WOULD BE $99.87 FOR THE PART, PLUS LABOR. I REALIZE THAT AFTER 3 YEARS OF OWNING THIS VEHICLE I NOW HAVE 82,000 MILES ON IT BUT THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM AND IT IS NOT SAFE. IF FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS FOR THIS LONG OF A TIME IT SHOULD REPAIR THIS PROBLEM OR REPAY ME FOR HAVING IT FIXED.
WHILE DRIVING SMOKE CAME FROM THE WHEEL WELL AND HOOD THEN A FIRE STARTED. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE THE GARAGE AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE A SHORT IN ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEM. FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO COME OUT AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. *AK
AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE, PARKED AND TURNED OFF IGNITION, SMELLED SMOKE, CHECKED UNDERHOOD AND ALTERNATOR BURST INTO FLAMES. PUT OUT TWO TIMES. CALLED FORD AND GOT NO SATISFACTION. OWNER FOUND WIRES FROM WIRING HARNESS THAT WERE PLUGGED INTO ALTERNATOR, MINOR DAMAGE, OWNER REMEDIED PROBLEM AT HIS EXPENSE. *AK *ML
RECALL 96V071000. IGNITION; THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FORSEVERAL DAYS. ALSO, KEPT THE RECALL NOTICE , AND DID NOT COMPLETE OR REMEDY THE PROBLEM OF THE RECALL. WHEN THE TRUCK IS RETURNED, HARD TO OBTAIN APPOINTMENTS FOR SERVICE. *AK
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE.
Official recalls
696V071000 · 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.
94V040000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Feb 23, 1994
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: ABRASION OF THE STEEL TUBE WALL THAT EVENTUALLY CAUSES A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT IN A FIRE, IF A SOURCE OF IGNITION IS PRESENT.
Remedy: FORD DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RETURN TUBES WITH FLEXIBLE STAINLESS STEEL BRAIDED/TEFLON TUBES. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE FUEL SUPPLY TUBES.
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.
92V026000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:drum:shoes/linings
Mar 3, 1992
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES AND INABLILITY TO HOLDVEHICLES ON A STEEP GRADE RESULTS IN INCREASED RISK OF ACCIDENT IN THE EVENT OFA SUDDEN STOP OR WHEN CONSTANT BRAKING IS NEEDED TO MANEUVER THROUGH AREAS WITHSTEEP GRADES.
Remedy: ADD SNAP-IN INSULATORS THAT ATTACH TO EACH OF THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER PISTONS. IN ADDITION, VEHICLES WITH 7.5 L ENGINES WILL HAVE INSULATION ADDED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BRAKE LINES.
90V101000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
Jun 1, 1990
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE SNAP RING THAT LOCATES THE PARK GEAR ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION MAY FRACTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: INSTALL IMPROVED SNAP RING AND REVISED TRANSMISSION EXTENSION HOUSING.
89V141000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank:selector Devices
Aug 15, 1989
INCORRECTLY INSTALLED FUEL LINE CONNECTORS HAVE FUEL SUPPLY AND RETURN LINES CROSSED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: REPLACE FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY.
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
11EA99032 · 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.
EA93026 · Fuel Line Routing
Opened Oct 29, 1993 · Closed Feb 28, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
EA93014 · Alternator Belt Failure
Opened Jun 4, 1993 · Closed Jul 29, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
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
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
PE91090 · Spare Tire Fires
Opened Jun 20, 1991 · Closed Oct 25, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment
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