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1989 Ford F-150Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 224 owner complaints about the 1989 Ford F-150, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

79
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years73% below the F-150 median · #36 of 42 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints22448 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage101kFuel system, gasoline, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 3, 2023. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1989 Ford F-150 has problems

224 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Fuel system, gasoline854
Electrical system5231
Service brakes, hydraulic141
Engine and engine cooling133
Vehicle speed control132
Power train90
Steering81
Structure80
Tires80
14 other systems313

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

1989 Ford F-150 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Electrical system: ignition

Recall 96V-071 · Apr 25, 1996 · 7,900,000 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Auxillary tank: selector devices

Recall 91V-146 · Sep 4, 1991 · 350,000 vehicles

Risk. THE OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP CAUSES A FUELLEAKAGE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)

Recall 90V-101 · Jun 1, 1990 · 111,000 vehicles

Risk. 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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1989 vs. every other F-150 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the F-150 median. How we score

'73'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1989 Ford F-150, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FUEL EXPULSIONEA91031 · closed Nov 1, 1991
    Led to recall 91V-146
  2. LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENESEA91044 · closed Oct 30, 1992
    Led to recall 92V-026
  3. TRNSMSSION PARK GEAR FAILPE90056 · closed Jun 12, 1990
    Led to recall 90V-101
  4. FORD TRUCK INCONSISTENT VEHICLE CONTROL.PE91017 · closed Apr 17, 1991
    No recall
  5. LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENESPE91077 · closed Oct 31, 1991
    No recall
In owners' words

What F-150 owners report

Recent fuel system, gasoline complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 1989 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AT STAND STILL AT A GAS STATION, WHEN SHE NOTICED A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT CALLED SUNNYVALE FORD LOCATED AT 650 E EL…
Complaint 11327986 · Jun 9, 2020 · 14,427 miles
FUEL STARTED PUMPING OUT OF THE GAS CAP AT A RELATIVELY HIGH RATE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. WHEN I STOPPED, FUEL CONTINUED TO PUMP OUT ONTO THE GROUND UNTIL I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. I WENT TO LOOSEN THE GAS CAP TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON AND GAS BLEW OUT ONTO ME AND ON THE GROUND (I WOULD…
Complaint 10639156 · Sep 25, 2014 · 100,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING THE DUAL FULL TANKS TO CAPACITY, FUEL BEGAN TO LEAK CONTINUOUSLY OUT OF THE FILLER CAP WHEN THE FILLER CAP WAS TIGHTLY SECURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE DUAL FUEL TANK VALVE…
Complaint 10455758 · Apr 19, 2012 · 110,000 miles

Own a 1989 F-150?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.