1991 Ford F-150 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 50about this part
- Share
- 16%of 304 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 114,050miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 50 complaints about the electrical system of the 1991 Ford F-150, 16% of the 304 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 114,050 miles. 32 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The truck wont crank. When the key is turned off and removed some electrical systems still work and cause smoking. I have had to disconnect the battery in fear the truck will burn down. Ford was contacted about the issue and said they cant do anything because their records for recalls only go 10 years. Even though the truck has less than 84000 miles on it.”
NHTSA complaint #11405365, filed 2021-03, 83,100 miles“On august 24, 2001, a fire spontaneously began under the hood of my 1991 Ford f150 pickup truck while it was turned off and parked in the driveway at night. The fire caused expensive damage to the vehicle and would have probably caught my house on fire had the truck been parked in the garage. I checked with the local Ford dealership (centroplex Ford in killeen, texas, which is now automax Ford) about Ford's liability and they said repairs would not be covered because the factory warranty had long expired. I therefore sought compensation through my insurance company. …”
NHTSA complaint #10137896, filed 2005-09, 149,000 miles“Alternator wiring harness and alternator caught fire, could easily have destroyed vehicle. And nearby government building. I noticed smoke and secured a fire extinguisher to remedy.”
NHTSA complaint #10110012, filed 2005-02, 78,000 miles“The contact owns a 1991 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated the fuel pump failed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 145,000. The consumer stated the battery failed and the seal around the speedometer went bad.”
NHTSA complaint #10525094, filed 2013-07, 145,000 miles“In august-september 1997 I responded to NHTSA recall 96v071000. The dealer in puyallup, wa replaced the ignition switch. However, every since then when the temperature drops down below 40 degrees the ignition switch seems to freeze up. This only happens in the fall or winter. I am unable to turn the ignition switch to start the truck. The switch becomes very stiff unless I first warm the steering column with a space heater or blow dryer. I am afraid that one of these days I will break the switch while attempting to start the truck.”
NHTSA complaint #720454, filed 2000-03Related recalls
- 96V071000Apr 25, 1996The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.Covers: Ford F-150 1988–1991, Thunderbird 1988–1993, Mercury Cougar 1988–1993 +12 more
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 17% |
| 2025 | 23 | 21% |
| 2024 | 40 | 21% |
| 2023 | 85 | 20% |
| 2022 | 126 | 21% |
| 2021 | 130 | 13% |
| 2020 | 89 | 12% |
| 2019 | 100 | 7% |
| 2018 | 172 | 7% |
| 2017 | 136 | 9% |
| 2016 | 191 | 9% |
| 2015 | 176 | 10% |
| 2014 | 163 | 11% |
| 2013 | 324 | 11% |
| 2012 | 173 | 10% |
| 2011 | 235 | 11% |
| 2010 | 166 | 20% |
| 2009 | 46 | 14% |
| 2008 | 29 | 8% |
| 2007 | 42 | 9% |
| 2006 | 60 | 10% |
| 2005 | 73 | 7% |
| 2004 | 99 | 5% |
| 2003 | 47 | 11% |
| 2002 | 106 | 13% |
| 2001 | 137 | 11% |
| 2000 | 191 | 18% |
| 1999 | 85 | 8% |
| 1998 | 87 | 6% |
| 1997 | 198 | 7% |
| 1996 | 56 | 17% |
| 1995 | 65 | 10% |
| 1994 | 88 | 13% |
| 1993 | 34 | 6% |
| 1992 | 48 | 10% |
| 1991 | 50 | 16% |
| 1990 | 37 | 13% |
| 1989 | 52 | 23% |
| 1988 | 49 | 35% |
| 1987 | 37 | 41% |
| 1986 | 22 | 36% |
| 1985 | 10 | 36% |
| 1984 | 7 | 47% |
| 1983 | 3 | 30% |
| 1982 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1991 Ford F-150
154 complaintsBrakes
26 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsTires
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsSeats
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1991 Ford F-150
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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