1990 Ford E150 problems
The Ford E-Series (also known as the Ford Econoline, Ford Econovan or Ford Club Wagon) is a range of full-size vans manufactured and marketed by the Ford Motor Company. Introduced for 1961 as the replacement of the Ford F-Series panel van, four generations of the model line have been produced. Marketed for both cargo and passenger transport configurations, the E-Series has been designed with multiple design variations for both retail and commercial sale, including vans, and commercial-grade cutaway van chassis and stripped chassis (a chassis without bodywork).
With over 8.2 million units sold since 1961, the Ford E-Series is the third-best selling van line in history (outranked only by the Ford Transit and Volkswagen Transporter). Ford retired the E-Series passenger and cargo vans after 2014, replacing them with the Ford Transit. As of current production, the E-Series remains offered exclusively in cutaway and stripped-chassis configurations. In 2021, the model line entered its 60th year of production (becoming the second current Ford line to do so).
The E-Series (cutaway/stripped chassis) is assembled by Ford at its Ohio Assembly facility (Avon Lake, Ohio), which has produced the model line since 1975. Prior to its closure, Lorain Assembly (Lorain, Ohio) assembled the model line from 1961 to 2005.
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Common 1990 Ford E150 problems
The Ford E150 1990 is known to have several common problems, primarily related to the engine and transmission.
One of the most common issues is related to the TFI (Thick Film Ignition) ignition module, which is responsible for controlling the ignition system's spark timing. This problem is heat-related and becomes more common in warmer weather. The symptoms of this problem include stalling, hesitation, and rough idling. The repair is relatively inexpensive and easy to perform, but it is important to use the special electrolytic grease that comes with the new module to prevent the new module from failing quickly.
Another common problem is related to the fuel pump. This problem can cause the engine to stall or fail to start. It is possible to check for this problem by using a vacuum gauge or checking for any codes that may be present. If the fuel pump is the issue, it should show up on the open road.
The electrical part of the ignition switch can also fail, leading to a stalling engine or one that will not start. This problem is more obscure and can be caused by the blower motor drawing more current over time, which can burn the contacts in the ignition switch. This problem is more common in older vehicles and can be diagnosed by checking for any codes that may be present.
Transmission failure is another common problem in the Ford E150 1990. This problem can be caused by a variety of issues, including low fluid levels, worn-out clutches, and damaged gears. It is important to have the transmission inspected regularly to prevent any major problems from occurring.
In summary, the Ford E150 1990 is known to have several common problems, primarily related to the engine and transmission. These problems can be caused by a variety of factors, including wear and tear, heat, and electrical issues. It is important to have the vehicle inspected regularly and to address any issues promptly to prevent any major problems from occurring.
When did Ford stop making E150?
Ford retired the E-Series passenger and cargo vans after 2014, replacing them with the Ford Transit. As of current production, the E-Series remains offered exclusively in cutaway and stripped-chassis configurations.
How much can a Ford E150 carry?
Payload Capacity:
The E-150 has a payload capacity of 3,220 pounds. The E-250 has a payload capacity of 3,470 pounds.
How long is a 1990 Ford Econoline van?
Used 1990 Ford E-150 Econoline - Specs & Features
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 226.8 in. |
| Overall width without mirrors | 79.9 in. |
| Height | 80.1 in. |
| Wheelbase | 138.0 in. |
Why is my Ford E150 not turning over?
The most common reasons a Ford E-150 won't start are a dead battery, an alternator problem, or failed starter.
How long is a 1990 Ford Econoline van?
Used 1990 Ford E-150 Econoline - Specs & Features
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 226.8 in. |
| Overall width without mirrors | 79.9 in. |
| Height | 80.1 in. |
| Wheelbase | 138.0 in. |
Why is my Ford e150 not turning over?
The most common reasons a Ford E-150 won't start are a dead battery, an alternator problem, or failed starter.
How much can a Ford e150 carry?
Payload Capacity:
The E-150 has a payload capacity of 3,220 pounds. The E-250 has a payload capacity of 3,470 pounds.
What is the fuel capacity of the Ford e150?
Fuel Tank
| Aux Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx | Not Available gal |
|---|---|
| Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx | 35.0 gal |
1990 Ford E150 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ford E150 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Fuel system problems
- Gasoline problems
- Wheels problems
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1990 Ford E150 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1990 Ford E150 complaints
The NHTSA has received 15 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1990 Ford E150.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2009-05-06
- VIN: 1FTDF15N8LN
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: GAS SPEWING FROM GAS CAP INPUT AREA DURING PERIODS OF WARM WEATHER. GAS CONTINUES TO SPEW REGARDLESS OF AMOUNT OF GAS IN EITHER TANK. HIGH POTENTIAL FOR FIRE AND LOSS OF LIFE. FORD KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND IS SAYING THEY NEVER HAD A RECALL ON THIS SUBJECT. *TR
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-01-01
- VIN: 1FTEF15Y2LN
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: THERE IS A FUEL LEAK THAT BEGAN A WHILE BACK BUT ONLY WHEN BOTH TANKS WERE FULL. NOW THE LEAK IS SUBSTANTIAL AND SEEMS TO OCCUR EVEN WHEN LESS THAN FULL....BUT NOT AT ALL WHEN ABOUT HALF FULL. I AM NOT SURE OF WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THE OCCURRENCE BUT IT HAS BEEN QUITE SOME YEARS NOW. I WILL ENTER A DATE. *TR
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-06-30
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: NO PREVIOUS EVENT BEFORE FAILURE. TIRE BECAME DEFORMED, PROBABLE CAUSE BELT SEPARATION. CAUSED SEVERE HANDLING PROBLEMS AT LOW SPEEDS. PLAN TO RETURN TIRE FOR REPLACEMENT.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-02-05
- VIN: 1FDEE14HXLH
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: MY LOCAL FORD DEALER REFUSED TO SERVICE MY VEHICLE FOR THE FOLLOWING: NHTSA ID NO.: 91V-146 DATE OF COMPANY NOTIFICATION: 9-4-91 MAKE: FORD MODEL: ECONOLINE MODEL YEAR: 1989-91 MODEL: F-150, F-250, F-350 MODEL YEAR: 1989 NUMBER OF VEHICLES: 350,000 MFG. CAMPAIGN NO. 91S39. FUEL TANK, AUXILIARY. DOM: 2/89-2/91. DUAL FUNCTION FUEL RESERVOIR MAY MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE AN OVERFILL CONDITION IN ONE OF THE FUEL TANKS, RESULTING IN AN OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST FILLER CAP. OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST FILLER CAP CAUSES A FUEL LEAKAGE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION. CORRECT BY REPLACING DUAL FUNCTION FUEL RESERVOIRS WITH NEW RESERVOIRS CONTAINING O-RINGS OF A REVISED MATERIAL. THEY SAID THIS APPLIES ONLY TO THE PICK-UPS, AND NOT THE ECONOLINE VAN. ANOTHER DEALER SAY THAT VIN NUMBER INDICATED THAT THIS WAS COMPLETED ALREADY, WHICH I KNOW WAS NOT... I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER... AND IS THE EXACT PROBLEM I AM HAVING IS STATED ABOVE... THE FUEL IS SPILLING ON THE GROUND WHEN I SWITCH ON THE REAR FUEL TANK.
WHEELS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-05-14
- VIN: 1FDEE14NXLH
- Components: WHEELS
- Summary: WHILE IN MOTION, THE LEFT REAR TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN THE LUG NUTS BACKED OUT. *JG
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-11-06
- VIN: 1FTEE14H8LH
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 91V146000 COVERS THIS 1990 MODEL, BUT FORD SAYS NOT PART OF RECALL ALTHOUGH THE SAME EXACT FAILURE DID OCCUR WITH GAS/FUEL SPILL INSIDE ENCLOSED GARAGE. REAR TANK RETURN WAS TO FRONT TANK FORCING FUEL OVERFLOW. *AK
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-10-28
- VIN: 1FDRE14L2XX
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT NEIGHBORHOOD SPEEDS WHEN WITHOUT WARNING STEERING WHEEL BROKE WAY FROM COLUMN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
WHEELS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-06-30
- Components: WHEELS
- Summary: LEFT REAR WHEEL STUDS BROKE OFF RESULTING IN THE WHEEL COMING OFF WHILE DRIVING CAUSING DAMAGE TO VEHICLE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1FDKE30GOKH
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER BECOMES VERY HOT, RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, CALIPER WAS REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-07-25
- VIN: 1FDEE14H2LH
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: VEHICLE STALLED THREE TIMES, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO ELECTRONIC FUEL PUMP FAILING.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-09-19
- VIN: 1FDEE14HOLH
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING ACCIDENT.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-04-16
- VIN: 1FTES14N7LH
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: BRAKE AND ABS WARNING LIGHT STAY ILLUMINATED. CAUSING THEM TO MALFUNCTION. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-11-04
- VIN: 1FAEE14NXLH
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: VACUUM LEAK IN FUEL INJECTION AIR PLENUM CAUSES ENGINE TO SURGE. *DH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-05-15
- VIN: 1FMEE11N7LH
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: VEHICLE ACCELERATOR STUCK, RESULTING IN ACCELERATION. TT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-02-01
- VIN: 1FDEE14N9LH
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: SEAMS OF FRONT/REAR FUEL TANK FAILED, CAUSING TANKS TO LEAK. *AW
1990 Ford E150 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 1990 Ford E150.
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: THE OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP CAUSES A FUELLEAKAGE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
- Remedy: REPLACE THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE.
- Manufacturer: VAN CRAFT CORP
- Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: SEAT OCCUPANTS WOULD NOT HAVE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THEEVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT AND WOULD BE SUBJECT TO INCREASED RISKOF INJURY.
- Remedy: SECURE SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE BAR TO VEHICLE FRAME FOR ADDED STRENGTH.
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
- Summary: UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE SNAP RING THAT LOCATES THE PARK GEAR ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION MAY FRACTURE.
- Consequence: 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.
Positive 1990 Ford E150 car reviews
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1990 Ford E150 problems:
1990 Ford E-150 Econoline Problems and Complaints - 13 Issues
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... common problems with them... Last one I had was in an e150 with blown head gasket... spitfirebill PowerDork 2/6/16 11:30 a.m..
Other years of Ford E150
Are you having problems with your 1990 Ford E150?
Vito Schmidt 2024-03-02
I've had this van for a year and I absolutely love it. It hasn't given me any trouble at all!