VehicleVerdict

1991 Ford F-250 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1991 Ford F-250 sits mid-pack among F-250 years: 145 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 145, with 7 recalls and 11 closed investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (34), fuel system (32), and electrical system (17), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

145

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

11

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

9

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other F-250 years?

See all F-250 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 Ford F-250 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes3423%
Fuel System3222%
Electrical System1712%
Tires & Wheels139%
Transmission128%
Engine86%
Seat Belts53%
Body & Structure53%
Lighting43%
Seats32%
Speed Control32%
Steering32%
Suspension32%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Other11%

Does the 1991 Ford F-250 have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

01I008000Fuel SystemJuly 19, 2001 · 1,556,221 units

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.

Consequence

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.

01X001000Tires & WheelsMay 22, 2001 · 13,000,000 units

Defect

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000. CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.

Consequence

SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.

96V071000Electrical SystemApril 25, 1996 · 7,900,000 units

Defect

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence

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

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

94V040000Fuel SystemFebruary 23, 1994 · 89,770 units

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.

Consequence

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.

93V125000Fuel SystemAugust 2, 1993 · 1,131,000 units

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.

Consequence

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.

93V066000SteeringApril 27, 1993 · 2,419 units

Defect

KEYS ATTACHED TO THE KEY RING OF AN IGNITION KEY WHILE IT IS IN THE VEHICLE IGNITION CAN BECOME LODGED IN THE STEERING LOCK RECEIVER AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS BEING TURNED.

Consequence

THE LODGED KEYS CAN CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHICHCAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING USED ON THE HIGHWAY.

Remedy

A SHIELD WILL BE POSITIONED BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE IGNITION SWITCH AND HELD IN PLACE BY THE STEERING LOCK BAND.

92V026000BrakesMarch 3, 1992 · 467,000 units

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

WHEN DRIVING 25 MPH AND UPON ATTEMPTING TO STOP VEHICLE BY DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL , BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH RESULTED IN A REAR END CRASH. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER NOTED THAT MASTER CYLINDER FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE PROBLEM.*AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 16, 2000 · crash

MALFUNCTIONING OF FUEL SWITCHING SYSTEM, CAUSING FUEL SPILLAGE, RESULTING IN A FIRE PRIOR TO/AFTER RECALL REPAIRS (93V-125). *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 20, 1995 · fire

RECALL # 96V07100, AFTER IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED OWNER STARTED EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO CORRECT. MANUFACTURER STATES THAT DEALER IS RESPONSIBLE. OWNER IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH A F150, [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 9, 1998

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND PULLED OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD, FOUND FRONT REAR FIRESTONE TIRE HAD EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATIONH, TIRE SIZE P235/85R16, DOT VN0RTWT241. *SLC

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · February 8, 2001 · crash

THE TRANSMISSION STARTED BUCKING AND CAUSING GRINDING NOISES AND THE VEHICLE AT TIMES WOULD NOT GO FASTER THAN 45 AND WAS ALWAYS IN DANGER OF COMPLETE BREAK DOWN IN THE TRAVEL PORTIONS OF THE HIGHWAYS OR OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE AND PUT MYSELF AND ANY OTHER PERSONS WITH ME IN DANGER OF BEING IN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 30, 1993

1991 Ford F-250 — common questions

Is the 1991 Ford F-250 reliable?

It is close to typical for the F-250: 145 NHTSA complaints, 7 recalls, and 11 investigations on file.

What are the most common 1991 F-250 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (34 complaints), fuel system (32 complaints), electrical system (17 complaints).

Does the 1991 Ford F-250 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 Ford F-250. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1991 Ford F-250 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 11 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford F-250 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-250 years to avoid are 2019, 2017, 1999, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2000, 2011, 2020, 1997, 2006, 2001, 2008, 1995, 2014. The cleanest record among F-250 years belongs to 1982.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.