Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1991 Ford E-150
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
630.0%
Tires
420.0%
Fuel & Propulsion
420.0%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 75,000 mi
Transmission & Drivetrain
210.0%
Equipment & Accessories
15.0%
Seats
15.0%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
15.0%
Engine & Cooling
15.0%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
125.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
250.0%
150,000+ miles
125.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 1995peak 3Jun 2012
NHTSA investigations into the 1991 Ford E-150
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA91044Opened 30 Oct 1991Closed 30 Oct 1992SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES
===
EA91031Opened 26 Jun 1991Closed 1 Nov 1991VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
FUEL EXPULSION
PE91077Opened 23 May 1991Closed 31 Oct 1991SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 193,000 milesPittsfield, MAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD E150. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD HISSING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED BURN MARKINGS INSIDE THE FILLER CAP AS WELL AS OUTSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. HE STATED THAT THE COMPONENTS ON THE INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK WERE BURNED. AS OF OCTOBER 1, 2007, THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT A SHORT CIRCUIT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 193,000.
NHTSA complaint #10204513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woburn, MA1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
HAD TO REPLACE THREE BATTERIES AND FOUR ALTERNATORS, PURCHASED TRUCK NEW . .
NHTSA complaint #801724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woburn, MA1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
HAD TO REPLACE THREE BATTERIES AND FOUR ALTERNATORS, PURCHASED TRUCK NEW . .
NHTSA complaint #801724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EL Paso, TX1 injured
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED, RESULTING IN INJURY. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)
NHTSA complaint #503130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 75,000 milesSafety Harbor, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD E150. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH AND SMELLED A GASOLINE FUEL ODOR. HE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICE GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE FRONT TANK OF THE FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 7/23/12
NHTSA complaint #10461436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesSafety Harbor, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD E150. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH AND SMELLED A GASOLINE FUEL ODOR. HE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICE GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE FRONT TANK OF THE FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 7/23/12
NHTSA complaint #10461436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 193,000 milesPittsfield, MAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD E150. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD HISSING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED BURN MARKINGS INSIDE THE FILLER CAP AS WELL AS OUTSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. HE STATED THAT THE COMPONENTS ON THE INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK WERE BURNED. AS OF OCTOBER 1, 2007, THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT A SHORT CIRCUIT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 193,000.
NHTSA complaint #10204513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I FOUND A SAFETY RECALL ON MY VEHICLE, 91V-146 THE DEALER CLAMS NO RECORD OF RECALL, BUT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR 10 YEARS NOW. FORD SAYS RECALLS DONT EXPIRE, BUT SINCE NO RECORD DUE TO IT BEING A 1991 GARY YOEMANS FORD WILL NOT FIX. VEHICLE HAD 60,000 ORIGIONAL MILES ON IT DUE TO LACK OF DRIVABILITY FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10067823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Poland, OH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK CAUSING VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. TS
NHTSA complaint #8021217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warwick, NY
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING TWO TIRES FAILED WITHIN 30 MINUTES OF EACH OTHER. THE ORIGINAL GENERAL TIRES (TIRE INFORMATION UNKNOWN) EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION WHICH CAUSED SIGNIFICANT BODY DAMAGE. MANUFACTURER NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.
NHTSA complaint #566881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Prescott, AZ
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE STARTED TO TREMBLE ALL OVER. HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE. LEFT FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM RIM.*AK CONSUMER STATED ALL 5 TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #8010950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Champaign, IL
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
WE HAVE SPENT MONEY TRYING TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEMSON OUR VAN OVER AND OVER WE HAVE A HANDICAP CHILD THAT HIS LIFE DEPENDS ON THE FUNCTION OF THE VAN WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VAN WE INFORMED DEALER OF THIS AND HE STATED THAT THE VAN WAS IN GREAT CONDITION TO TRAVEL ANY WHERE. WE ALSO LET THEM KNOW THAT OUR CHILD TRAVELS BACK AND FOURTH FROM CHAMPAIGN ILLINOIS TO CHICAGO ILLINOIS TO GO TO DIFFRENT HOSPITALS AND VISIT FAMILY. WITHIN THE FIRST DAYS THAT WE PURCHASED THE VAN IT STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS AND THE ALTERNATOR GAVE OUT AND DRAINED THE BATTERY HILL. FORD DID REPLACE THE PARTS BUT SINCE THEN WE CONTINUE TO HAVE TO REPLACE THIS PARTS FREQUENTLY. HILL FORD MADE AN ATTEMPT TO FIX THE FUEL PROBLEMS WITH THE VAN BUT ABOUT A MONTH AFTER SERVICE IT WENT BACK TO HAVING STARTING PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF FUEL OVER FLOWING. WE DID TRY TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM WITH FIRESTONE TWICE BUT IT ALWAYS GOES BACK TO THE SAME THING. THE FUSE BOX LOCATED UNDER THE FRONT HOOD CONTROLS THE MOTOR THAT ALLOWS THE BACK SEAT TO BE LIFTED AND LOWERED DOES NOT WORK EVERY TIME I REPLACE THE FUSE IT BURNS IT OUT WHEN I CONTACTED HILL FORD THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. I DO NOT HAVE ALL THE MONEY NECCESSARY TO FIX EVERY EXTENSIVE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #749349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Champaign, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
WE HAVE SPENT MONEY TRYING TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEMSON OUR VAN OVER AND OVER WE HAVE A HANDICAP CHILD THAT HIS LIFE DEPENDS ON THE FUNCTION OF THE VAN WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VAN WE INFORMED DEALER OF THIS AND HE STATED THAT THE VAN WAS IN GREAT CONDITION TO TRAVEL ANY WHERE. WE ALSO LET THEM KNOW THAT OUR CHILD TRAVELS BACK AND FOURTH FROM CHAMPAIGN ILLINOIS TO CHICAGO ILLINOIS TO GO TO DIFFRENT HOSPITALS AND VISIT FAMILY. WITHIN THE FIRST DAYS THAT WE PURCHASED THE VAN IT STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS AND THE ALTERNATOR GAVE OUT AND DRAINED THE BATTERY HILL. FORD DID REPLACE THE PARTS BUT SINCE THEN WE CONTINUE TO HAVE TO REPLACE THIS PARTS FREQUENTLY. HILL FORD MADE AN ATTEMPT TO FIX THE FUEL PROBLEMS WITH THE VAN BUT ABOUT A MONTH AFTER SERVICE IT WENT BACK TO HAVING STARTING PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF FUEL OVER FLOWING. WE DID TRY TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM WITH FIRESTONE TWICE BUT IT ALWAYS GOES BACK TO THE SAME THING. THE FUSE BOX LOCATED UNDER THE FRONT HOOD CONTROLS THE MOTOR THAT ALLOWS THE BACK SEAT TO BE LIFTED AND LOWERED DOES NOT WORK EVERY TIME I REPLACE THE FUSE IT BURNS IT OUT WHEN I CONTACTED HILL FORD THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. I DO NOT HAVE ALL THE MONEY NECCESSARY TO FIX EVERY EXTENSIVE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #749349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Champaign, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
WE HAVE SPENT MONEY TRYING TO FIX THE SAME PROBLEMSON OUR VAN OVER AND OVER WE HAVE A HANDICAP CHILD THAT HIS LIFE DEPENDS ON THE FUNCTION OF THE VAN WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VAN WE INFORMED DEALER OF THIS AND HE STATED THAT THE VAN WAS IN GREAT CONDITION TO TRAVEL ANY WHERE. WE ALSO LET THEM KNOW THAT OUR CHILD TRAVELS BACK AND FOURTH FROM CHAMPAIGN ILLINOIS TO CHICAGO ILLINOIS TO GO TO DIFFRENT HOSPITALS AND VISIT FAMILY. WITHIN THE FIRST DAYS THAT WE PURCHASED THE VAN IT STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS AND THE ALTERNATOR GAVE OUT AND DRAINED THE BATTERY HILL. FORD DID REPLACE THE PARTS BUT SINCE THEN WE CONTINUE TO HAVE TO REPLACE THIS PARTS FREQUENTLY. HILL FORD MADE AN ATTEMPT TO FIX THE FUEL PROBLEMS WITH THE VAN BUT ABOUT A MONTH AFTER SERVICE IT WENT BACK TO HAVING STARTING PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF FUEL OVER FLOWING. WE DID TRY TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM WITH FIRESTONE TWICE BUT IT ALWAYS GOES BACK TO THE SAME THING. THE FUSE BOX LOCATED UNDER THE FRONT HOOD CONTROLS THE MOTOR THAT ALLOWS THE BACK SEAT TO BE LIFTED AND LOWERED DOES NOT WORK EVERY TIME I REPLACE THE FUSE IT BURNS IT OUT WHEN I CONTACTED HILL FORD THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. I DO NOT HAVE ALL THE MONEY NECCESSARY TO FIX EVERY EXTENSIVE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #749349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.