FaultScore

1990 Ford F150 electrical problems

41 of the 290 complaints about the 1990 Ford F150 are about the electrical system — 14% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 89,000 miles.

F

41

Complaints

0

Crashes

21

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Switch 16 39.0%
Ignition 10 24.4%
Interior/Under Dash 7 17.1%
Starter Assembly 2 4.9%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator 2 4.9%
Front Underhood 1 2.4%
Wiring 1 2.4%
Module 1 2.4%
Solenoid 1 2.4%

Electrical System across every Ford F150 year

1985 12 5.2%
1986 24 10.4%
1987 43 18.7%
1988 56 24.3%
1989 54 23.5%
1990 41 17.8%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 89,000 miles Deluth, MN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 FORD F150. WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF RECALL NUMBER 96V071000 (FOR THE IGNITION) AND HE WOULD NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE PURCHASE DATE OF THE VEHICLE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10190774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wapwallopen, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

BROUGHT THIS TRUCK USED WAS ADVISED OF RECALL, NEED TO GET COPY OF TSB TO TAKE TO DEALER TO GET FIXED. DT

NHTSA complaint #769835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chesapeake, VA Fire 1 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

VEHICLE DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES AND PARKED AT WHICH TIME SMOKE WAS OBSERVED FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHEN HOOD WAS OPENED, ALTERNATOR AND ASSOCIATED WIRING BURST INTO FLAMES. OPERATOR SUSTAINED MINOR BURNS ON HAND.*AKI

NHTSA complaint #764203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bellflower, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

HAVE BEEN TO FORD DEALER FOR TWO RECALLS, IGNITION AND FUEL REGULATOR. NO CHARGE TO ME. GAS IS STILL COMING OUT OF THE FILLER NECK OF THE TANK "I AM NOT USING, I SWITCH TO THAT TANK AND GAS COMES OUT OF THE OTHER TANK--THAT I AM NOT USING. THE DEALER SAYS THIS IS NOT A RECALL AND I NEED TO PAY FOR NEW FUEL PUMPS IN EACH TANK. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT SINCE THE TRUCK IS GETTING GAS FINE, JUST TO MUCH AND BEING RETURNED TO THE WRONG TANK. NOT BEING RETURNED TO THE TANK THAT IS BEING USED. I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AND SHOULD NOT COST ME $1000.00. HOPE SOMEONE CAN HELP ME.

NHTSA complaint #761107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Williamsville, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN TO START THE VEHICLE, HAVE TO USE A PAIR OF PLIERS TO TURN IT.

NHTSA complaint #751304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Frankfort, KY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

VEHICLE WAS STALLING AT 45 MPH, NOT ABLE TO START AGAIN UNTIL VEHICLE HAD COOLED DOWN, 35-45 MINUTES. THEN, VEHICLE WOULD RUN FOR 20-25 MINUTES AND STALL AGAIN. DEALER REPLACED IGNITION MODULE AND COIL.*AK

NHTSA complaint #886074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Chester, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

RECALL 96 V 017 000. IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL IN 1997. JUST RECENTLY SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM IGNITION. DEALER REPLACED SOLENOID STARTER, AND IGNITION SWITCH. *AK *SLC

NHTSA complaint #882090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Chester, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:SOLENOID

RECALL 96 V 017 000. IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL IN 1997. JUST RECENTLY SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM IGNITION. DEALER REPLACED SOLENOID STARTER, AND IGNITION SWITCH. *AK *SLC

NHTSA complaint #882090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Four Oaks, NC Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWA, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHORT.

NHTSA complaint #852168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North, SC Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED RESULTING IN SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND DASH, CAUSING VEHICLE FIRE AND TOTAL DESTRUCTION.

NHTSA complaint #511178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Manning, OR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHT DIMMER SWITCH DRAINED BATTERY (INITIALLY A HIGH RESISTANCE SHORT) WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. TURNED INTO A LOW RESISTANCE SHORT WHEN TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEM AND GENERATED SMOKE IN INSTRUMENT PANEL BEFORE BLOWING FUSE. SECOND PROBLEM INVOLVING THE GEAR SELECT SENSOR ON THE TRANSMISSION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO NEUTRAL UNPREDICTABLY.

NHTSA complaint #704255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Coon Rapids, MN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH SHORT CIRCUITED, RESULTING IN A FIRE, REPLACE IGNITION SWITCH AND UNDER DASH WIRING HARNESS.

NHTSA complaint #513427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Courtland, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #519496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lansing, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

TRUCK PARKED, NO LONGER THAN 10 MINUTES, CRANKED BUT DID NOT START DUE TO UNDER DASH WIRING MELTING/OVERHEATING.

NHTSA complaint #523255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dallas, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE CAUSED FIRE IN VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #511300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Juan, PR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO LACK OF DEALER NOTIFICATION FROM MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #516003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Marquette, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SHORTS, CAUSING BURNING SMELL AS WELL AS ENGINE STALLING/ACCESSORIES TO FAIL.

NHTSA complaint #503881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Beatty, NV Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE,SAW SMOKE, ELECTRICAL SHORT, VEHICLE STARTED ON OWN, UNDER THE DASH FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #986295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VAN Buren, AR Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #504756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Estill Sprin, TN Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM RIGHT UNDER THE DASH AND IT WAS PARKED. PLEASE DESCRIBE.

NHTSA complaint #984922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cameron, LA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM UNDER THE DASH WHILE IT WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. PLEASE DESCRIBE.

NHTSA complaint #984787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Deluth, MN Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

THE VEHICLE HAD A FIRE FROM UNDER THE HOOD FROM THE MOTOR COMPARTMENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE.

NHTSA complaint #984367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dearborn, MI Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SMOKE IN THE STEERING COLUMN.

NHTSA complaint #983757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grand Forks, ND Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM UNDER THE DASH WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED.PLEASE DESCRIBE.

NHTSA complaint #983811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dearborn, MI Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SMOKE IN THE STEERING COLUMN.

NHTSA complaint #983757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grand Forks, ND Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM UNDER THE DASH WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED.PLEASE DESCRIBE.

NHTSA complaint #983811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hamilton, MT Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN NEAR THE IGNITION SWITCH. PLEASE DESCRIBE.

NHTSA complaint #983715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hamilton, MT Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN NEAR THE IGNITION SWITCH. PLEASE DESCRIBE.

NHTSA complaint #983715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Batesville, AR Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESS STARTED FIRE. *DSH

NHTSA complaint #490686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Yukon, OK Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

VEHICLE WAS PARKED, UNDER THE DASH FIRE, ELECTRICAL SHORT, INTERIOR AND WIRES.

NHTSA complaint #983313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1990 Ford F150 problems

← Full 1990 Ford F150 report