1990 Ford F-350

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 39 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › foundation components. It has been recalled 7 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components8
005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip5
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Auxillary Tank › Selector Devices4
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System2
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine2
000
Unknown or Other1
000
Tires › Tread/Belt1
000
Tires1
000
Suspension › Front1
000

7 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline01I008000
Filed Jul 19, 20011,556,221 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1990-1993 FORD F-SERIES VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DUAL FUEL TANKS AND 4.9, 5.0,5.8, OR 7.5 LITER GASOLINE FUELED ENGINES. SOME VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE A CROSS TANK FUEL FLOW CONDITION DUE TO A DAMAGED CHECK VALVE IN THE FUEL PUMP/SENDER ASSEMBLY. FUEL MAY BE SUPPLIED FROM ONE TANK AND SOME OR ALL OF THE UNUSED FUEL MAY BE RETURNED TO THE OTHER TANK.

Risk. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE CAPACITY OF THE RECEIVING TANK MAY BE EXCEEDED AND FUEL MAY OVERFLOW FROM THE FILLER CAP.

Remedy. FORD IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY FOR POTENTIAL FUEL CROSS-FLOW TO 12 YEARS OF SERVICE OR 150,000 MILES FROM THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY START DATE, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. THIS COVER WILL AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFER TO SUBSEQUENT OWNERS AT NO CHARGE. IF A VEHICLE ALREADY HAS MORE THAN 150,000 MILES, THIS OVERAGE WILL LAST UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2001. IF THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING A FUEL CROSS-FLOW CONDITION, DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE CONDITION FREE OF CHARGE.

Electrical System › Ignition96V071000
Filed Apr 25, 19967,900,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings94V040000
Filed Feb 23, 199489,770 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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 RESULTS IN A FUEL LEAK.

Risk. ABRASION OF THE STEEL TUBE WALL THAT EVENTUALLY CAUSES A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT IN A FIRE, IF A SOURCE OF IGNITION IS PRESENT.

Remedy. FORD DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RETURN TUBES WITH FLEXIBLE STAINLESS STEEL BRAIDED/TEFLON TUBES. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE FUEL SUPPLY TUBES.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly93V125000
Filed Aug 2, 19931,131,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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.

Risk. SPILLED FUEL CAN RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO ASOURCE OF IGNITION.

Remedy. REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR AND INSTALLATION OF REDUNDANT CHECK VALVES.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum › Shoes/Linings92V026000
Filed Mar 3, 1992467,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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 DIMINISH BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS DURING SEVERE BRAKING CONDITIONS.

Risk. INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES AND INABLILITY TO HOLDVEHICLES ON A STEEP GRADE RESULTS IN INCREASED RISK OF ACCIDENT IN THE EVENT OFA SUDDEN STOP OR WHEN CONSTANT BRAKING IS NEEDED TO MANEUVER THROUGH AREAS WITHSTEEP GRADES.

Remedy. ADD SNAP-IN INSULATORS THAT ATTACH TO EACH OF THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER PISTONS. IN ADDITION, VEHICLES WITH 7.5 L ENGINES WILL HAVE INSULATION ADDED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BRAKE LINES.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (prndl)90V101000
Filed Jun 1, 1990111,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE SNAP RING THAT LOCATES THE PARK GEAR ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION MAY FRACTURE.

Risk. WHEN THE GEAR IS PLACED IN PARK, THE PARK GEAR WOULD NOTENGAGE, ALLOWING THE TRUCK TO ROLL FREELY IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT PROPERLYSET. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy. INSTALL IMPROVED SNAP RING AND REVISED TRANSMISSION EXTENSION HOUSING.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Auxillary Tank › Selector Devices89V141000
Filed Aug 15, 19891,100 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. INCORRECTLY INSTALLED FUEL LINE CONNECTORS HAVE FUEL SUPPLY AND RETURN LINES CROSSED.

Risk. FUEL COULD BE TRANSFERRED FROM ONE TANK TO THE OTHER,POSSIBLY RESULTING IN FUEL OVERFLOW AND SPILLAGE, IN PRESENCE OF AN IGNITIONSOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. REPLACE FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Auxillary Tank › Selector Devices
Filed Jul 15, 200544,470 milesCA

DT: THE CROSS OVER OF THE FUEL IMPROPERLY OVERFILLS THE SECOND TANK, SPILLING FUEL OUT OF VEHICLE. THERE WERE 2 SAFETY RECALLS OF THIS ITEM. BUT FORD WAS SAYING THAT ONE RECALL WAS TAKEN CARE OF BY A PREVIOUS OWNER. THE SECOND RECALL EXPIRED, AND FORD WILL NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM. FORD HAS BEEN CONTACTED BY THE CUSTOMER AND THE REPAIR FACILITY. FORD WAS STILL NOT WILLING TO HELP. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS. THE CUSTOMER WAS HAVING IT REPAIRED AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. IF THERE WAS A SAFETY ISSUE ON THIS PROBLEM IT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OFF BY DEALER NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES IT COMES UP.*AK *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Auxillary Tank
Filed Aug 27, 2004180,000 milesGA

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. *AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jul 11, 20031,500 milesNV

WHILE TRAVELING, THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND SAW THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL. FIRESTONE STEELTEX, LT 265/75R16. *AK *SCC *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed Feb 7, 2002FL

I AM SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER, I AM TED SCHORE OF OCALA,FL PINEYWOODS AUTOMOTIVE 352-629-6727 THE CUSTOMER HAD THE TRUCK TOWED IN BECAUSE OF A NO START (BATTERY WAS BAD) AND AFTER THE REPAIR AND RUNNING NOTICED A FUEL SMELL AND LARGE FUEL LEAK FROM THE BELL HOUSING AREA. THE LEAK WAS FROM THE FUEL RETURN LINE FROM THE PRESSURE REGULATOR TO THE CONNECTION TO THE LINE FROM THE TANK, APPROX 12 INCHES LONG AND METAL. THE PINCH WELD ABOVE THE BELL HOUSING RUBBED THE LINE THROUGH. I CHECK FOR SERVICE BULLETINS AND RECALLS AND FOUND A RECALL NUMBER 94S80, I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER TO ARRANGE TOWING AND FOR THE RECALL TO BE PERFORMED AND WAS TOLD THE RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE BY BAY HARBOR FORD IN ENGLEWOOD FLORIDA. I CALLED THE 1-800 NUMBER GIVEN TO ME BY THE LOCAL DEALER (DEARBORN?) AND WAS TOLD THE IT HAD INDEED BEEN DONE BUT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT NOW, I INFORMED THEM THAT ALTHOUGH THEY SHOW IT BEING DONE THAT IT WAS NOT THEY PRETTY MUCH SAID IT WAS NOT FORDS PROBLEM AND THE CUSTOMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. WELL MY PROBLEM IS THIS. THE BAY HARBOR FORD HAS BEEN PAID TO PERFORM THE RECALL BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN DONE. THE OLD LINE WAS METAL WHERE THE NEW RECALL WAS FOR A PLASTIC LINE, THE KIT ALSO HAD A VINYL TRIM PIECE TO COVER THE PINCH WELD THAT RUBBED THE LINE IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE KIT NUMBER FROM FORD WAS F4TZ-9J332-A I WAS TOLD IT WAS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER BUT THE PARTS MAN WAS ABLE TO GET IT THROUGH ANOTHER FORD DEALER. I JUS

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Feb 1, 2002WA

THERE HAS BEEN MULTIPLE RECALL NOTICES FOR THE FORD F-SERIES DUAL FUEL TANK DESIGN FLAW. WHEN BOTH TANKS ON MY TRUCK ARE FILLED TO CAPACITY, ONE TANK WILL EMPTY ITS CONTENTS INTO THE OTHER FULL FUEL TANK AND WILL SPRAY OUT FUEL ON TO THE ROAD AND OTHER VEHICLES POSING A GREAT FIRE HAZARD. EACH TIME I HAVE TAKEN MY TRUCK IN TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED ON MY TRUCK BY THE LOCAL DEALER (MCCULLOM FORD IN SPOKANE WA) THEY HAVE RETURNED MY TRUCK WITHOUT FIXING THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE INDICATED THAT THEY HAVE PERFORMED FORDS RECOMMENDED FIX AND THAT IT HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A FORD MOTOR CO. DESIGN FLAW. I WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON HOW I CAN HAVE THIS UNSAFE CONDITION ADDRESSED. THANK YOU.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail PipeFire
Filed Oct 15, 2001OH

WHILE DRIVING EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE UNDERNEATH VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE WAS CAUSED BY EXHAUST PIPE BEING TOO CLOSE. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Auxillary Tank › Selector Devices
Filed Feb 20, 2001UT

93 V 125 000/FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY: VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PORTION OF UNUSED FUEL FROM ONE TANK TO BE RETURNED TO SECOND TANK. WHEN THIS OCCURRED SECOND TANK EXCEEDED, CAUSING FUEL SPILLAGES. SPILLED FUEL COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VIN SHOWED THAT RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE ON THIS VEHICLE. BUT PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED, AND DEALER REFUSED TO HELP IN THIS MATTER. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER: *AK

Tires
Filed Nov 21, 2000AZ

THIS PARTICULAR TIRE EXPLODED @ ABOUT 60 MPH ON MY TRUCK .I HAD A 5TH WHEEL TRAILER ON BEHIND AT THE TIME . IT CAUSED 1150.00 DOLLARS DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK. THIS IS THE 7TH OR EIGHTH TIRE OF THE SAME BRAND &TYPE THAT I HAD GO BAD. THE OTHERS HAD THE BELTS COME LOOSE AND START VIBERATING. I WOULD TAKE THEM BACK TO A SEARS STORE AND THEY WOULD GIVE ME AN ADJUSTMENT AND CHARGE ME 75% OF A NEW TIRE AND PUT THE SAME TYPE BACK ON. I WOULD QUESTION THEM ABOUT THE SAFTY OF THE TIRE & THEY WOULD JUST SHAKE THEIR HEADS. THE FIRST TWO TIRES WERE BOUGHT IN FARMINGTON NM. ON THE28TH OF JULY 1998.THE LAST TWO WERE BOUGHT THE 19 OF OCT.1999 . TWO MORE WERE REMOVED THE 6TH OF SEPT. 2000 BUT WERE REPLACED WITH DIFFERENT TYPE . IWAS TOLD THE QUIT MAKING IT IN MY SIZE. I STILL HAVE THREE IN MY POSESSION . ONE IS BLOWN AND THEY WANT ME TO SEND IT TO PIRELLI FOR EVAUATION. SEARS WANTS TO PASS THE BUCK TO PIRELLI . IT IS MY CONTENTION THE TIRES ARE DIFFENETLY DANGEROUS TO THE PUBLIC. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BRING MY TRUCK UNDER CONTROL . I MIGHT ADD THAT THESE TIRES THAT HAVE LOST THEIR BELTS HAVE BEEN ON ALL FOR CORNERS OF THE TRUCK WHEN THEY WENT BAD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.*AK (DOT NUMBER: CHOR524 TIRESIZE: 235 85 R16)

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Nov 15, 2000KY

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. *AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Filed Apr 13, 2000AK

BACK OF THE FUSE BOX MELTED, AND CONSUMER LOST ELECTRICAL POWER. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Feb 16, 2000IN

CONSUMER RECEIVED LETTER OF CONCERN (98C01) WHICH DISCUSSES ENGINE PROBLEMS, HOWEVER VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO LACK OF PRIOR NOTIFICATION, DENIED REIMBURSEMENT COSTS OF REPAIR. *MJS

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Auxillary Tank › Selector Devices
Filed Oct 1, 1999WA

WHEN FILLING UP BOTH DUAL TANKS FUEL SPITS BACK OUT AND THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed May 5, 1999CA

ENGINE WAS LOSING RAW FUEL FROM A LEAK WHICH WAS GOING INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THIS CAUSED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTOR TO BURN. HAVE BEEN TO SERVICE CENTER. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Auxillary Tank › Selector Devices
Filed Sep 18, 1998CA

FUEL TANK SELECTION SWITCH FAILURE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 8, 1998UN

OWNER CANNOT FIND INFORMATION ON RECALL NUMBER 91V146000.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 31, 1998TX

OIL PRESSURE SENDING UNIT FAILED.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Aug 14, 1998KY

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 .

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 11, 1998TX

ENGINE BLEW A HEAD GASKET.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Mar 3, 1998MA

TRUCK WAS IN USE WHEN IT BEGAN TO EMIT A WHITE VAPOR FROM EXHAUST, AFTER HEAD REMOVED FOUND OK, DISCOVERED 8 CYLINDER HAD BECOME POROUS, CAUSING ANTIFREEZE TO ENTER THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER WHICH CAUSED THE VAPOR AND HYDRO-LOCK.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Mar 3, 1998MA

NUMBER 8 CYLINDER BECAME POROUS CAUSING THE ANTIFREEZE TO ENTER THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER WHICH CAUSED VAPOR AND HYDRO-LOCK (EMIT WHITE VAPOR FROM EXHAUST).

20 of 39 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201491010Routine
201376140Routine
2012149420Routine
2011136430Routine
20100100Routine
200928300Routine
2008131990Routine
200736510Routine
2006145641Fatalities reported
2005114530Routine
2004159352Fatalities reported
200390380Routine
2002116372Fatalities reported
20011606111Fatalities reported
2000304590Above average
19994131393Fatalities reported
199812102Fatalities reported
19971554110Routine
19961304150Routine
19951343132Fatalities reported
199495760Routine
1993101950Routine
199252751Fatalities reported
199131740Routine
1990 — this page39731Fatalities reported

Compare every F-350 year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jul 19, 2001. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.