Menu

1989 Ford F-250Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 112 owner complaints about the 1989 Ford F-250, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 6 safety recalls.

51
CarFlaw IndexSolid year5% below the F-250 median · #19 of 31 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Free fix at dealersOwner complaints11218 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage97kFuel system, gasoline, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 10, 2018. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1989 Ford F-250 has problems

112 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, gasoline251
Service brakes, hydraulic231
Electrical system208
Power train120
Tires80
Steering70
Engine and engine cooling72
Suspension41
Structure40
9 other systems164

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

6 recalls

1989 Ford F-250 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

Drum: shoes/linings

Recall 92V-026 · Mar 3, 1992 · 467,000 vehicles

Risk. 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…

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 →

Show 2 more recalls

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-250 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-250 median. How we score

'67'68'69'70'72'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1989 Ford F-250, 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. ALTERNATOR BELT FAILUREEA93014 · closed Jul 29, 1994
    No recall
  4. LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENESPE91077 · closed Oct 31, 1991
    No recall
  5. SPARE TIRE FIRESPE91090 · closed Oct 25, 1991
    No recall
In owners' words

What F-250 owners report

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

SEVERAL YEARS AGO AFTER FILLING THE REAR TANK OF MY DUAL TANK 1989 FORD F250, I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND SOON NOTICED FUEL POURING OVER THE LEFT REAR TIRE. I FIGURED IT WAS DUE TO A LEAK IN THE FUEL FILLER NECK AND STOPPED USING THE REAR TANK FOR THE NEXT 5 OR 6 YEARS ONCE BURNING OUT ALL THE…
Complaint 10667822 · Dec 22, 2014 · 85,000 miles
FUEL PUMP CONTINUES TO RUN AFTER IGNITION SWITCH IS TURNED OFF. THIS CAUSES EVENTUALLY THE BATTERY TO GO DEAD. I CAN HEAR THE FUEL PUMP CONTINUE AFTER IGNITION IS TURNED OFF AND PUMP CHANGES PITCH IN SOUND WHEN SWITCHING BACK AND FORTH FROM FRONT FUEL TANK TO REAR. *TR
Complaint 10521965 · Jun 26, 2013 · 93,807 miles
WHILE AT AN INTERSECTION WAITING FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR SO I COULD PULL ON TO THE HIGHWAY, I SMELLED GAS. I LOOKED IN MY SIDE MIRROR AND SAW GASOLINE GUSHING OUT OF MY FRONT FUEL TANK. IT WAS OBVIOUSLY UNDER PRESSURE BUT THE FUEL DOOR FORTUNATELY KEPT IT FROM SPRAYING ACROSS THE ROAD. I APPEAR TO…
Complaint 10503487 · Mar 18, 2013 · 22,000 miles

Own a 1989 F-250?

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