1996 Ford F-150 Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 53about this part
- Share
- 16%of 324 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 104,876miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 53 complaints about the fuel system of the 1996 Ford F-150, 16% of the 324 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 104,876 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Fuel tanks. Filled rear tank and opened front tank to fill it. When I took cap off gas splashed out. The front tank was over full. I talked to a Ford mechanic and he told me that it was a valve in the return line that caused the front tank to over fill from the rear tank. He also said that Ford did repair some trucks ,but wasn't doing it now.”
NHTSA complaint #10145180, filed 2005-12, 207,000 miles“I own a 1996 Ford f150 with dual tanks. I have a problem with the back fuel tank transferring gas to the front tank. If unnoticed this will cause gas to overflow onto the ground causing a real safety and pollution hazard. I called Ford and they said that there wasn't any recall for this problem on my VIN. Well even if there isn't a recall for this problem or not it is still a problem and there was a recall for this problem on the 1990 tp 1993 f150 so I'm figuring that they still have the problem on my vehicle also.”
NHTSA complaint #10352940, filed 2010-08, 109,000 miles“I own a 1992 Ford f250 and a 96 Ford f150. Both have dual tanks.on both vehicles the front fuel gauge has stopped functioning and when using the rear tank it tranfers fuel to the front tank resulting in fuel spilling out.with the guages not functioning there is no notice of when the front tank is overfilling.this is a fire hazard as well as an environmental issue.I have spoke to the customer relations person at our local Ford dealer and was told that it was not a dealer issue.I have inserted an incident,however the problem is a recurring problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10052557, filed 2004-01, 90,000 miles“The vehicle has 2 fuel tanks. While driving, gasoline flows from one tank to the second tank, causing the second tank to overfill. When opening the lid to the second tank, pressure caused by excessive amount of gasoline causes gasoline to spew from the spout onto operator and onto the ground.”
NHTSA complaint #10183538, filed 2007-02, 90,000 miles“1996 Ford F-150 dual gasoline tanks, front fuel pump failure causes rear fuel tank to pressurize front fuel tank, causing fuel to leak from front fuel tank fill pipe, front tank is caused to be overfilled and under pressure, upon removal of front fill cap with or without vehicle ignition on, gasoline is released in spray and liquid form approxiamately 1/2 to 1 gallon of gasoline at a time causing a severe fire/explosion hazard.”
NHTSA complaint #10074949, filed 2004-06, 120,000 milesFuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 4% |
| 2024 | 6 | 3% |
| 2023 | 10 | 2% |
| 2022 | 92 | 15% |
| 2021 | 94 | 9% |
| 2020 | 14 | 2% |
| 2019 | 24 | 2% |
| 2018 | 64 | 3% |
| 2017 | 28 | 2% |
| 2016 | 95 | 5% |
| 2015 | 81 | 5% |
| 2014 | 72 | 5% |
| 2013 | 159 | 5% |
| 2012 | 119 | 7% |
| 2011 | 117 | 5% |
| 2010 | 58 | 7% |
| 2009 | 22 | 7% |
| 2008 | 27 | 7% |
| 2007 | 54 | 11% |
| 2006 | 59 | 10% |
| 2005 | 82 | 7% |
| 2004 | 74 | 4% |
| 2003 | 46 | 11% |
| 2002 | 86 | 10% |
| 2001 | 132 | 11% |
| 2000 | 152 | 14% |
| 1999 | 132 | 13% |
| 1998 | 201 | 15% |
| 1997 | 246 | 9% |
| 1996 | 53 | 16% |
| 1995 | 65 | 10% |
| 1994 | 113 | 17% |
| 1993 | 288 | 49% |
| 1992 | 245 | 52% |
| 1991 | 154 | 51% |
| 1990 | 146 | 53% |
| 1989 | 95 | 42% |
| 1988 | 28 | 20% |
| 1987 | 23 | 25% |
| 1986 | 10 | 16% |
| 1985 | 1 | 4% |
| 1984 | 1 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1996 Ford F-150
56 complaintsVehicle speed control
36 complaintsBrakes
34 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
26 complaintsAir bags
23 complaintsEngine cooling
23 complaintsSuspension
21 complaintsTires
21 complaintsSteering
20 complaintsSeats
9 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 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