1990 Ford F-150 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 5%of 275 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,627miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1990 Ford F-150, 5% of the 275 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,627 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The contact owns a 1990 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the gear shifted out of the park position intermittently while parked on an incline. Whenever the vehicle shifted out of gear, it rolled forward until the emergency brake was engaged. The vehicle stopped moving when it rolled into a curb. The failure occurred twice since the vehicle was purchased on january 16, 2018. An unknown dealer was contacted and stated that there was an open manufacturer's recall (90s10) for the transmission; however, the VIN tool indicated there were no open recalls. …”
NHTSA complaint #11065820, filed 2018-01, 70,627 miles“The described truck was purchased by myself new. The aautomatic transmission had to be completely rebuilt at approx. 34,000 miles(under warranty) . At approx. 85000 miles that transmission burned out and a Ford factory rebuilt was installed at east bay truck- oakland ca. The cost was approx. $2400.00 as described, at approx. 150,000 miles this transmission had to be rebuilt!!!! The cost this time was approximately”
NHTSA complaint #718835, filed 2000-02“Transmission jumps out of 5th gear into neutral while driving 45 to 50 MPH, could cause crash. According to dealer, Ford no longer manufactures 5th gears, entire transmission needed replacing.”
NHTSA complaint #816758, filed 1997-09Related recalls
- 90V101000Jun 1, 1990Under certain conditions, the snap ring that locates the park gear on the output shaft of the transmission may fracture.Covers: Ford F-150 1989–1990, F-250 1989–1990, E-350 1989–1990 +4 more
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 26 | 24% |
| 2024 | 58 | 30% |
| 2023 | 159 | 38% |
| 2022 | 162 | 27% |
| 2021 | 322 | 31% |
| 2020 | 360 | 49% |
| 2019 | 741 | 55% |
| 2018 | 1,019 | 44% |
| 2017 | 557 | 38% |
| 2016 | 615 | 29% |
| 2015 | 434 | 25% |
| 2014 | 426 | 28% |
| 2013 | 1,346 | 45% |
| 2012 | 682 | 38% |
| 2011 | 829 | 38% |
| 2010 | 121 | 14% |
| 2009 | 33 | 10% |
| 2008 | 50 | 14% |
| 2007 | 57 | 12% |
| 2006 | 46 | 8% |
| 2005 | 112 | 10% |
| 2004 | 232 | 11% |
| 2003 | 62 | 15% |
| 2002 | 53 | 6% |
| 2001 | 74 | 6% |
| 2000 | 47 | 4% |
| 1999 | 75 | 7% |
| 1998 | 83 | 6% |
| 1997 | 151 | 5% |
| 1996 | 26 | 8% |
| 1995 | 75 | 12% |
| 1994 | 56 | 8% |
| 1993 | 40 | 7% |
| 1992 | 28 | 6% |
| 1991 | 13 | 4% |
| 1990 | 13 | 5% |
| 1989 | 9 | 4% |
| 1988 | 8 | 6% |
| 1987 | 2 | 2% |
| 1986 | 2 | 3% |
| 1985 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 1990 Ford F-150
146 complaintsElectrical system
37 complaintsEngine cooling
21 complaintsTires
19 complaintsBrakes
18 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1990 Ford F-150
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology