1991 Ford E-250 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. 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.
What could happen: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1991 E-250.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 91V146000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: 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.
Notes: SYSTEM: FUEL TANK, AUXILLIARY.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VANS AND LIGHT TRUCKS WITH DUAL FUEL TANKS PRODUCED IN THEFOLLOWING PERIODS: F150, F250, AND F350 LIGHT TRUCKS BUILT BETWEEN FEBRUARY 28,1989 AND JULY, 1989; ECONOLINE BUILT BETWEEN FEBRUARY 28, 1989 ANDFEBRUARY 11, 1991.NOTE: FORD HAS AGREED TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES BUT PARTS ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE.PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN DECEMBER 1991. YOU WILL RECEIVE A LETTER FROM FORDADVISING YOU WHEN TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALLWORK PERFORMED. IN THE MEAN TIME, YOU CAN TAKE THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS:FILL EACH TANK TO ONLY 1/3 FULL.IF YOUR VEHICLE LEAKS FUEL OR IF YOU SMELL FUEL, STOP USING THE VEHICLE ANDCALL FORD AT (313) 446-4654 AND ADVISE THEM OF YOUR PROBLEM. REFER TO FORDSAFETY RECALL NUMBER 91S39. AN OPERATOR WILL TAKE YOUR NAME AND TELEPHONENUMBER. A FORD REPRESENTATIVE WILL CALL YOU BACK.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1991 Ford E-250 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (5), Fuel system (3), Gasoline (3), Wheels / tires (2), Brakes (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
04/21/2011 · Fuel system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD E-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RESERVE TANK BEGAN SPILLING OVER INTO THE MAIN FUEL TANK AND CAUSING THE FUEL TANK TO OVERFLOW. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSING THE MAIN TANK TO SPILL INTO THE RESERVE AS WELL. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 91V146000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: AUXILLARY TANK: SELECTOR DEVI…
11/10/2004 · Transmission / drivetrain
HUSBAND WAS TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE, APPROX. 65MPH. SUDDEN METALLIC NOISES AND RUMBLING. PULLED OVER SAFELY TO FIND REAR OF TRANSMISSION HOUSING HAS LOST SEVERAL LARGE CHUNKS, LEAVING A GAPING HOLE APROXIMATELY 10 INCHES BY 4 INCHES. TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY. MECHANIC COULD NOT REMOVE DRIVE LINE FROM TAIL PIECE OF TRANSMISSION. HE CONTACTED A SPECIALLI…
11/14/2002 · Fuel system
CONSUMER STATES HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS RECALL#91V146000 FUEL TANK. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR BECAUSE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. MR
10/31/2002 · Fuel system
NHTSA#6238-91-V-146-000 FUEL TANK: THE DUAL TANK SELECTOR VALVE MAY MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE AN OVERFILL CONDITION IN ONE OF THE FUEL TANKS CONSUMER STATES HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON SIMILAR MAKES AND MODELS, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO THE VIN. *TS *JB
06/27/2001 · Wheels / tires
TIRE BEEN PUNCTURED AND WATER HAD DAMAGED STEEL CAUSING THEM TO RUST. NO RUST FOUND AT THE TIME OF FREAD COMING OFF.
03/06/2001 · Brakes
BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR NO BRAKES WHATSOEVER. *AK
10/02/2000 · Wheels / tires
PE000020; FIRESTONE, STEEL TEX RADIAL R4S REPLACEMENT TIRE ON A 1991, FORD, F250. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON HIGHWAY RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. *AK THE VIBRATION WAS VERY INTENSE. *YH
12/11/1996 · Transmission / drivetrain
TRANSMISSION LEAKS/SHIFTS HARD/JERKS.