1990 Ford F-350 Problems
- Complaints
- 39filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 44,470miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 6campaigns 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 F-350 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 39 consumer complaints for the 1990 Ford F-350. The part named most often is brakes, with 15 complaints (38% of the total), followed by engine cooling (9) and fuel system (9). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 44,470 miles. Of all complaints, 3 a fire, 5 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the shoes/linings and 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part.
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.
- Brakes15 38%
- Engine cooling9 23%
- Fuel system9 23%
- Electrical system4 10%
- Suspension2 5.1%
- Tires2 5.1%
- Other or unknown1 2.6%
- Seat belts1 2.6%
- Steering1 2.6%
Also reported: Body and structure (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “Intermittently when the brakes are applied the pedal goes to the floor, resulting in extended stopping distances. The dealer has replaced the master cylinder/ booster pump/brake booster, front calipers and brake shoes .”
NHTSA complaint #826735, filed 1998-08Engine cooling: “Consumer was traveling 60 MPH & vehicle stalled. Rear fuel tank spilled gas all over highway. When vehicle was being towed to Ford dealer fuel tank fell off. Shield that guards the tank dropped & gas lines were disconnected.”
NHTSA complaint #875008, filed 2000-11Fuel system: “Vehicle was taken to dealer for recall repairs about 5 years ago. Vehicle had duel gas tanks. The recall was issued because one tank would pump gas into the other tank, and when it was full it would spill over, creating a fire hazard. After recall repairs were done the problem recurred. Consumer felt that the proper work for the recall was insufficiently done because of what was happening currently.”
NHTSA complaint #10089939, filed 2004-08, 180,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
67% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 1,500 and 180,000 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
- 96V071000Apr 25, 1996Electrical system › IgnitionCovers: Ford F-350 1988–1991, Thunderbird 1988–1993, Mercury Cougar 1988–1993 +12 more
The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
- 94V040000Feb 23, 1994Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Ford F-350 1990–1991, F-250 1990–1991, Super Duty 1990–1991
The steel fuel return tubes that connect the frame fuel return lines with the engine fuel rail can contact the pinch weld flange connecting the dash panel to the floor pan. Continued contact leads to abrasion of the steel fuel return tube and eventually…
- 93V125000Aug 2, 1993Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assemblyCovers: Ford F-350 1990–1993, F-250 1990–1993, F-150 1990–1993 +1 more
A malfunctioning check valve within the fuel pump assembly causes a portion of the unused fuel from one tank to be returned to the second tank. When this occurs, the capacity of the second tank can be exceeded, causing fuel spillage.
- 92V026000Mar 3, 1992Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum › Shoes/liningsCovers: Ford F-350 1988–1991, F-250 1988–1991
A revised brake lining noise insulator resulted in a decrease in the thermal insulation between the brake lining and the front brake caliper piston. This caused greater heat transfer to the caliper pistons with the potential to overheat the brake fluid and…
- 90V101000Jun 1, 1990Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)Covers: Ford F-350 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.
- 89V141000Aug 15, 1989Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Auxillary tank › Selector devicesCovers: Ford F-350 1990, F-150 1990, F-250 1990
Incorrectly installed fuel line connectors have fuel supply and return lines crossed.
Recall details for the 1990 Ford F-350 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE94004Hydraulic brake line cracks/leaksClosed · Jan 25, 1994
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1990 Ford F-350.
Other model years of the Ford F-350
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 91 | 73,000 | 0 | — | — | 9 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2013 | 76 | 79,000 | 1 | — | — | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2012 | 149 | 90,000 | 4 | — | — | 71 · More | Stable |
| 2011 | 136 | 60,000 | 4 | — | — | 92 · More | Falling |
| 2009 | 28 | 104,000 | 2 | — | — | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2008 | 131 | 67,532 | 9 | — | — | 90 · More | Falling |
| 2007 | 36 | 54,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 145 | 60,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 114 | 81,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 159 | 50,047 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 90 | 42,044 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 116 | 65,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2001 | 160 | 72,000 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 304 | 81,000 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 413 | 106,925 | 12 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 12 | 75,158 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 155 | 110,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 130 | 103,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 134 | 130,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 95 | 145,900 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1993 | 101 | 111,330 | 6 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 52 | 87,500 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 31 | 89,450 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 39 | 44,470 | 6 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 42 | 116,250 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 29 | 150,000 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 8 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 14 | 106,000 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Ford F-350 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1990 Ford F-350 have?
NHTSA recorded 39 consumer complaints for the 1990 Ford F-350 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Ford F-350 is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 15 complaints (38% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 9.
Has the 1990 Ford F-350 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 6 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 F-350 reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 44,470 miles and the middle half falls between 1,500 and 180,000 miles; 67% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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.