IllustrationMANUFACTURER USES IMPROPER 'O' RING IN AIR CONDITIONER, CAUSING AIR CONDITIONER TO LEAK. *DSH
1989 Ford E150
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all E150 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 3 of 30 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports6 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
30 reportsTHE FRONT BRAKE STILL MAKES HEAT,THE REAR END AXLE WAS REPLACED . TT
HE FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING FUEL TO SPILL. SEE RECALL MFG RECALL N0.91S39. NHTSA 91V146. *AK
THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE MELTED OFF THE FUEL TANK, CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK OUT OF THE FUEL TANK. *AK
CRACKS DEVELOPED ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKET CAUSED BY OVERHEATING AND POOR DESIGN. TT
TOOK ALL THE GREASE FITTING, RESULTING IN CONSTANT ALIGNMENT PROBLEM. TT
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, VEHICLE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. TT
ALL FOUR TIRES BLISTERED BETWEEN THE TREADS. TT
STEERING; THE TIE ROD BALL JOINT WEARS OUT. TT
STEP BUMPER ON THE VAN BROKE AWAY FROM THE FRAM WHILE TOWING A TRAVEL TRAILER, DUE TO MISSING PARTS.
Official recalls
291V146000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank:selector Devices
Sep 4, 1991
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 & remedy
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.
90V101000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
Jun 1, 1990
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE SNAP RING THAT LOCATES THE PARK GEAR ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION MAY FRACTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL IMPROVED SNAP RING AND REVISED TRANSMISSION EXTENSION HOUSING.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3EA91044 · Loss Of Brake Effectivenes
Opened Oct 30, 1991 · Closed Oct 30, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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EA91031 · Fuel Expulsion
Opened Jun 26, 1991 · Closed Nov 1, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE91077 · Loss Of Brake Effectivenes
Opened May 23, 1991 · Closed Oct 31, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available