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1989 Ford F SeriesProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 2 owner complaints about the 1989 Ford F Series, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints20 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage194kFuel system, gasoline, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 8, 2012. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1989 Ford F Series has problems

2 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, gasoline10
Tires10
Wheels10

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

2 recalls

1989 Ford F Series 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

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist

Recall 90V-097 · May 21, 1990 · 3,200 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN DRAGGING BRAKES, BRAKE FADE, ORPREMATURE WEAR AND/OR HEAT DAMAGE TO BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS, REDUCING BRAKINGEFFICIENCY WHICH COULD RESULT…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Steering: linkages

Recall 89V-009 · Jan 24, 1989 · 24,454 vehicles

Risk. SEVERE SHIMMY COULD DAMAGE STEERING LINKAGE OR STEERINGGEAR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

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 Series 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 Series median. How we score

'71'72'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'84'85'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

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

  1. DEFECTIVE WIRINGDP94002 · closed Apr 25, 1994
    No recall
In owners' words

What F Series owners report

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WOULD OVERFLOW AND SPILL OUT THROUGH THE FILLER NECK VALVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…
Complaint 10426716 · Sep 22, 2011 · 194,000 miles

Own a 1989 F Series?

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