1990 Ford E-150: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1990 Ford E-150: 3 recalls, 17 owner complaints and up to 15 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #90V101000 · 1990 · 111,000 vehicles
What's wrong: Under certain conditions, the snap ring that locates the park gear on the output shaft of the transmission May fracture.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Install improved snap ring and revised transmission extension housing.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #91V119000 · 1991 · 30 vehicles
What's wrong: Safety belt anchorages did not meet load requirements of fmvss 210; belt anchorage bar pulled through the floor of vehicle when subjected to loads of fmvss 210 test.
Why it matters: Seat occupants would not have adequate protection in theevent of a sudden stop or accident and would be subject to increased riskof injury.
The fix: Secure safety belt anchorage bar to vehicle frame for added strength.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #91V146000 · 1991 · 350,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The dual fuel tank selector valve May malfunction and cause an overfill condition in one of the fuel tanks, resulting in an overflow of fuel past the filler cap.
Why it matters: The overflow of fuel past the filler cap causes a fuelleakage, which can result in a fire when exposed to a source of ignition.
The fix: Replace the dual fuel tank selector valve.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Fuel system (7): the most common themes are leaks (4), fire / smoke (2).
- Speed control / throttle (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Brakes (hydraulic) (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Wheels (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1990 Ford E-150 has 17 owner complaints, ranking #16 of 29 E-150 model years for complaints (well below the 34 average). Complaints peaked in 1996 (3 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 10 years old, at a median of 126,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1991 (15 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.9 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | Regular |
| 4.9 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 16 | 14 | Regular |
| 4.9 L 6-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 14 | 13 | Regular |
| 5.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 16 | 13 | Regular |
| 5.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 15 | 13 | Regular |
| 5.8 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 10 | 14 | 12 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1990 Ford E-150.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 1990 Ford E-150 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 1990 Ford E-150. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1990 Ford E-150 problems?
Owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are fuel system (7), speed control / throttle (2), brakes (hydraulic) (2).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Ford E-150 get?
EPA ratings run up to 15 mpg combined (4.9 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 6 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1990 Ford E-150 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.