1990 Ford Econoline Problems
- Complaints
- 30filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 44,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 4campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Ford Econoline (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 1990 Ford Econoline. The part named most often is brakes, with 14 complaints (47% of the total), followed by electrical system (5) and fuel system (5). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 44,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Brakes14 47%
- Electrical system5 17%
- Fuel system5 17%
- Body and structure2 6.7%
- Vehicle speed control2 6.7%
- Wheels2 6.7%
- Engine cooling1 3.3%
- Tires1 3.3%
Example complaints
Brakes: “Brakes: when driving down the highway everything is fine. Attempted to use the brakes and had to push pedal completely to the floor like there were no brakes at all. Had to use the emergency brake in order to stop.”
NHTSA complaint #817155, filed 1997-10Electrical system: “First, headlights ceased to function, then electric door locks failed wiring harness under hood fried b/o current wire right down to the pin plastic assembly on fire wall that leads to wiring under dash of vehicle. Sparking noticed at wiring harness pin connector at firewall with clicking sound in electrical system. This is the second time this wire b/o hot wire has fried itself. First time at about 40000 miles it fried the fuse link in the black/orange hot wire leading down to the firewall pin connector. …”
NHTSA complaint #707377, filed 1999-06Fuel system: “Consumer noticed a gas smell inside of vehicle while traveling. Saw gas pouring out of gas tank. Vehicle was serviced, technician replaced fuel pump sending unit.”
NHTSA complaint #10039797, filed 2003-09Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 44,000 and 44,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 93V073000Apr 27, 1993Suspension › Rear › Shock absorberCovers: Ford Econoline 1990–1991
The rear shock crossmember of the frame can crack and separate from the frame.
- 91V172000May 4, 1992Seat belts › Front › AnchorageCovers: Ford Econoline 1990–1991, Glaval Universal 1990–1991
The safety belt anchorage for the rear bench seat failed to comply with the standards of fmvss 210.
- 91V146000Sep 4, 1991Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Auxillary tank › Selector devicesCovers: Ford Econoline 1989–1991, E-350 1989–1991, E-150 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.
- 90V101000Jun 1, 1990Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)Covers: Ford Econoline 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 Econoline → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1990 Ford Econoline.
Other model years of the Ford Econoline
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 22 | 48,500 | 2 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2002 | 23 | 97,258 | 2 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2001 | 28 | 86,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 39 | 50,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 84 | 75,794 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 46 | 79,500 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 79 | 89,400 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 81 | 98,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 73 | 45,000 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 124 | 118,000 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1993 | 65 | 103,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1992 | 83 | 115,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 24 | 52,867 | 3 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1990 | 30 | 44,000 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 32 | — | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 22 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 15 | 110,000 | 4 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1986 | 7 | — | 5 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 10 | — | 5 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 7 | — | 6 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Ford Econoline model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1990 Ford Econoline have?
NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 1990 Ford Econoline as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Ford Econoline is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 14 complaints (47% of the total), followed by electrical system with 5.
Has the 1990 Ford Econoline been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1990 Ford Econoline reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 44,000 miles and the middle half falls between 44,000 and 44,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
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.