1993 Ford F-150 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year mostly write in about fuel from one tank of the dual-tank setup moving into the other and spilling out, which many complaints link to a known fuel system campaign. Other recurring themes are engine fires traced to wiring or the cooling fan, brakes that lose pressure, cruise control that will not engage, and a 4WD transfer case that slips out of gear. Many reports come from trucks well past 100,000 miles.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Fuel moving between dual tanks and spilling out

   • 207 complaints (35%)
   • median 138,250 mi at 16.3 yrs old (48 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $800 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 1995–2024

   With two tanks fitted, owners describe fuel from one tank ending up in the other until it overflows out of the filler cap or runs onto the ground. Some say it happens while driving and they smell fuel or are waved over by another motorist; others find a puddle after parking. Several report a dealer pointing to the fuel pump check valve or fuel pressure regulator, or saying the vehicle is not covered by a campaign, so the repair is at the owner's cost. Reported across a wide mileage range from about 45,000 to 225,000 miles, often during or shortly after refueling.

   Recall 93V125000Recall 00V424000

   What to check: Ask whether both tanks have been checked for transfer between them and whether the fuel pump check valve or pressure regulator has been replaced, and look for fresh fuel staining or smell around the tanks and filler necks.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I just got this truck used and realized it has dual gas tanks but only the rear gas tank works. I put gas in both tanks not knowing that I realized after that the front tank doesn't work... The next morning I noticed gas spilling out from under the truck because some of the gas from the rear tank is going into the front 1 and making it overflow.”

   NHTSA complaint #11415850, filed 2021-05, 120,000 miles

   “1. One morning I started my vehicle and it would not start on the front tank so I began to use the rear tank only. 2. Very soon thereafter, gasoline began pouring out of the front tank filler cap. It's too dangerous to drive, whatever gas gets put into the rear tank is pumped into the front tank while being driven and gas spills out of cap going down the road. 3. Nothing has been corrected yet, I'm trying to get local Ford dealer to fix it but they say there is no recall for my VIN.”

   NHTSA complaint #10156436, filed 2006-04, 258,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Engine compartment fire

   • 88 complaints (15%)
   • median 115,000 mi at 12.7 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • 23 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2023

   Complaints describe fires that started while parked or driving, often originating under the hood, behind the dash or near the steering column, and several trucks were totaled. In some cases wiring under the dash was found melted together and too small for the fuse protecting it; in one, the cooling fan motor was identified as the start point. Owners report the dealer was not always notified or could not determine the cause. Reported between roughly 45,000 and 175,000 miles, in a mix of parked and driving situations.

   Recall 07V336000

   What to check: Have an independent shop look over under-dash wiring, the fan motor and the speed control switch connector for heat damage, and ask whether the speed control recall was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Left for work on this day in the usual manner. Turned onto us 19 from us 64. As I accelerated from the stoplight the truck backfired out of the exhaust, I shifted gears and it backfired again, this time the check engine light came on. I looked to the passenger side outside mirror and saw smoke coming from under the truck. I pulled over and jumped out. When I stopped the smoke billowed out from under the hood. I called 911 to report the fire. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10292234, filed 2009-11, 175,000 miles

   “Smoke was coming from under the stering column. Only damage was our own, with burnt wires within the wireloom under the dash. Upon investigation by my husband, he found 7 wires melted into one another. The fuse did not melt, but the wires had totally disintigrated. The wires are to small for the 15 amp fuse they are attached to. We have had this burning under our dash several times in this past year. Not until the tail lights refused to work did we do the deeper investigation of the wire loom. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10045751, filed 2003-11, 115,000 miles
3. 3
   Vehicle speed control

   Cruise control will not engage or is hard to set

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the cruise control being hard to engage at highway speed or failing to engage at all, sometimes after the recall service was performed on the truck. Owners report the dealer found no fault, and in other complaints owners say the recall part was unavailable or the repair could not be scheduled. Mostly reported between roughly 140,000 and 190,000 miles.

   Recall 08V051000Recall 07V336000

   What to check: Ask whether the speed control deactivation switch recall was done, and try the cruise control at highway speed to confirm it engages.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Recall letter dated august 2007 (recall 05s28) said scds poses safety hazard; said dealer will replace free of all charges. I contacted the dealer who said parts unavailable for two months. I checked back in mid-october; was told to call back in mid=december. Today (12/13) I was told to call back in january! What's up?”

   NHTSA complaint #10211858, filed 2007-12, 108,433 miles

   “The contact owns a 1993 Ford F-150. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 00V424000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 05V017000 (Vehicle Speed Control); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while inspecting the fuel tanks, he noticed that fuel had transferred from one tank to the other, nearly causing the tank to overfill. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11596212, filed 2024-06, 360,000 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   4WD transfer case slips out of gear

   • 21 complaints (4%)
   • median 200,000 mi at 16.3 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2024

   Owners of 4x4 trucks describe the transfer case dropping out of 4WD high or into neutral on its own, including while coasting downhill with the throttle released, with the truck slowing unexpectedly. Others report trouble shifting between ranges and one truck stuck in 4L. Complaints note the vehicle identification was not covered by the related campaign. Reported on trucks above 150,000 miles, typically while driving in 4WD or letting off the accelerator.

   Recall 93V089000

   What to check: On a 4x4, engage 4WD high and drive while lifting off the throttle to see whether it stays in gear, and ask whether the shift motor or transfer case has been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Regarding Ford Safety Recall 93S65 4X4 Transfer Case comes out of gear while in 4X4 High and will roll away, pops out of gear while in reverse, shift indication lights fail to report proper placement of the transfer-case, at start up the Vehicle shifts on its own, Shift from 2H to 4H results in Chatter, the Vehicle is currently stuck in 4L. I found a recall publication (TSB 92-01-08 (Excerpt) Touch-Drive ESOF Operation) that is specifically related to this problem Safety Recall 93S65. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11434541, filed 2021-09, 186,000 miles

   “Ford early model e4od transmission has had many and multiple part failures. My third 92-96 F-150 w/e4od. Currently has bad converter and valve body. Will not lockup in overdrive causes shuddering and very bad gas mileage. Bangs hard into gears and has delayed initial shift into forward and reverse. Two previous vehicles needed complete rebuilds of transmissions. All experienced harsh shifts, slipping into gear, shuddering at vehicle speeds, blowing seals w/fluid leakage and bad fuel mileage. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10255430, filed 2009-01, 159,380 miles

Buying note. With this model year, the fuel tank transfer issue and earlier fire-related campaigns are the things to verify with the vehicle identification number before purchase, and a pre-purchase inspection covering brakes, under-dash wiring and the 4WD system is worth the cost on a truck of this age.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.