1990 Ford E-150 Problems
- Complaints
- 17filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 126,000miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 13 mpgcombined, 5.0L 8-cyl RWD · 11 city / 15 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Ford E-150 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 1990 Ford E-150. The part named most often is fuel system, with 8 complaints (47% of the total), followed by brakes (2) and vehicle speed control (2). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 126,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the selector devices filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 2 NHTSA investigations filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Fuel system8 47%
- Brakes2 12%
- Wheels2 12%
- Other or unknown1 5.9%
- Steering1 5.9%
- Tires1 5.9%
Example complaints
Fuel system: “There is a fuel leak that began a while back but only when both tanks were full. Now the leak is substantial and seems to occur even when less than full....but not at all when about half full. I am not sure of when I first noticed the occurrence but it has been quite some years now. I will enter a date.”
NHTSA complaint #10275468, filed 2009-07, 50,000 milesBrakes: “Upon depressing the brake pedal the front brake caliper becomes very hot, resulting in complete loss of braking ability. Consumer has contacted the dealer, caliper was replaced. Please provide further details.”
NHTSA complaint #812577, filed 1997-05Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 123,000 and 129,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1990 Ford E-150 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E150 Club Wagon RWD | 4.9L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 16 | 14 | $4,800 |
| E150 Club Wagon RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 11 | 15 | 13 | $5,150 |
| E150 Club Wagon RWD | 5.8L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 10 | 14 | 12 | $5,600 |
| E150 Econoline 2WD | 4.9L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| E150 Econoline 2WD | 4.9L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 13 | 14 | 13 | $5,150 |
| E150 Econoline 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 16 | 13 | $5,150 |
| E150 Econoline 2WD | 5.8L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 10 | 14 | 12 | $5,600 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 91V146000Sep 4, 1991Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Auxillary tank › Selector devicesCovers: Ford E-150 1989–1991, E-350 1989–1991, Econoline 1989–1991 +4 more
The dual fuel tank selector valve may malfunction and cause an overfill condition in one of the fuel tanks, resulting in an overflow of fuel past the filler cap.
- 91V119000Jul 3, 1991Seat belts › Front › AnchorageCovers: Ford E-150 1990
Safety belt anchorages did not meet load requirements of fmvss 210; belt anchorage bar pulled through the floor of vehicle when subjected to loads of fmvss 210 test.
- 90V101000Jun 1, 1990Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)Covers: Ford E-150 1989–1990, F-150 1989–1990, F-250 1989–1990 +4 more
Under certain conditions, the snap ring that locates the park gear on the output shaft of the transmission may fracture.
Recall details for the 1990 Ford E-150 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA91044Loss of brake effectivenesClosed · Oct 30, 1991
- EA91031Fuel expulsionClosed · Jun 26, 1991
- PE91077Loss of brake effectivenesClosed · May 23, 1991
- PE91064Transmission fluid firesClosed · Apr 9, 1991
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1990 Ford E-150.
Other model years of the Ford E-150
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 8 | 6,500 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 8 | 18,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2014 | 6 | 16,738 | 6 | — | 14 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 19 | 82,800 | 6 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 2012 | 12 | 60,000 | 8 | — | 14 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 23 | 37,500 | 11 | — | 14 | — | Falling |
| 2010 | 10 | 42,500 | 7 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 7 | 83,000 | 12 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 11 | 66,325 | 17 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2007 | 12 | 49,000 | 18 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 17 | 44,373 | 14 | — | 15 | — | Stable |
| 2005 | 16 | 52,879 | 2 | — | 15 | — | Rising |
| 2004 | 33 | 65,000 | 5 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2003 | 21 | 16,354 | 5 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 2002 | 28 | 86,000 | 3 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2001 | 37 | 73,000 | 4 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 50 | 104,602 | 6 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1999 | 83 | 96,000 | 6 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 60 | 89,146 | 5 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 102 | 103,000 | 6 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 59 | 120,000 | 3 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 71 | 95,000 | 3 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1994 | 121 | 129,500 | 7 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1993 | 71 | 135,000 | 4 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1992 | 64 | 100,000 | 4 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 15 | 75,000 | 1 | — | 13 | — | Stable |
| 1990 | 17 | 126,000 | 3 | — | 13 | — | Falling |
| 1989 | 31 | 94,000 | 2 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1988 | 14 | — | 0 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 17 | 70,000 | 0 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 1986 | 9 | — | 0 | — | 14 | — | Not enough data |
All Ford E-150 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1990 Ford E-150 have?
NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 1990 Ford E-150 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Ford E-150 is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 8 complaints (47% of the total), followed by brakes with 2.
Has the 1990 Ford E-150 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1990 Ford E-150 get?
The EPA rates the 1990 Ford E-150 (E150 Club Wagon, 5.0L 8-cyl) at 13 mpg combined, 11 city and 15 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1990 Ford E-150 reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 126,000 miles and the middle half falls between 123,000 and 129,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.