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1989 Ford F-250

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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: 7 of 11 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.

  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 2 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 reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

11 reports
120,000 miles · Dec 10, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, ONE OF THE FUEL TANKS OVERFLOWED WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE FILLED TUBE. THE CONTACT CALLED SHULTS FORD LINCOLN AT 724-934-2388 (LOCATED AT 10401 PERRY HWY, WEXFORD, PA 15090) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, ONE OF THE FUEL TANKS OVERFLOWED WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE FILLED TUBE. THE CONTACT CALLED SHULTS FORD LINCOLN AT 724-934-2388 (LOCATED AT 10401 PERRY HWY, WEXFORD, PA 15090) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #11157293

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2018
Unknown Or Other

THE INTENT OF REPORTING THIS ISSUE IS TO STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF OLDER VEHICLES (PAST THE 15 YEAR MARK) HAVING RECORD AND STATUS OF SAFETY RECALLS. IT IS JUST AS VITAL FOR OLDER VEHICLES TO HAVE RECORD AS IT IS FOR NEWER VEHICLES. EVERYONE WANTS SAFE VEHICLES OUT ON THE ROAD. AS MY VIN INDICATES, I PURCHASED A 1989 FORD F250 …

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THE INTENT OF REPORTING THIS ISSUE IS TO STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF OLDER VEHICLES (PAST THE 15 YEAR MARK) HAVING RECORD AND STATUS OF SAFETY RECALLS. IT IS JUST AS VITAL FOR OLDER VEHICLES TO HAVE RECORD AS IT IS FOR NEWER VEHICLES. EVERYONE WANTS SAFE VEHICLES OUT ON THE ROAD. AS MY VIN INDICATES, I PURCHASED A 1989 FORD F250 6 MONTHS AGO AND AM FIXING PROBLEMS THAT I FOUND ARE ON A RECALL. THE PROBLEM IS I CANNOT FIND OUT THE STATUS OF THOSE RECALLS. THIS SYSTEM IS FLAWED. PLEASE RESPOND IF THERE IS ANYWAY I CAN FIND THE INFORMATION. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MYSELF AND MY FAMILY ARE IN A SAFE VEHICLE. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #11090005

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

MY PRIMARY FUEL TANK OVERFLOWS AFTER FILLING SECONDARY TANK. I HAVE READ THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS TYPE OF ISSUE FOR THIS TRUCK.

NHTSA ODI #10838707

69,880 miles · Jan 22, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

DRIVING ALONG NO INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEM AND ENGINE STOPPED. TRIED STARTING SEVERAL TIMES AND NOTICED IGNITION SWITCH SEEMED VERY STIFF AND WOULD NOT FIRE OFF STARTER, LIGHTS WORKED, DOOR BELL WORKED, NO IGNITION. INSPECTED ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING UNUSUAL, BATTERY CABLES WERE TIGHT, CHECKED RADIATOR AN…

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DRIVING ALONG NO INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEM AND ENGINE STOPPED. TRIED STARTING SEVERAL TIMES AND NOTICED IGNITION SWITCH SEEMED VERY STIFF AND WOULD NOT FIRE OFF STARTER, LIGHTS WORKED, DOOR BELL WORKED, NO IGNITION. INSPECTED ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING UNUSUAL, BATTERY CABLES WERE TIGHT, CHECKED RADIATOR AND FOUND IT WORKING JUST FINE. AFTER A WHILE TRIED IGNITION AGAIN AND STARTED, DROVE A COUPLE MORE MILES TO HOME SAFELY. NEXT AM COULD NOT GET THE IGNITION TO WORK AT ALL, IGNITION SWITCH FELT LIKE IT WAS BROKEN WHEN KEY TURNED TO THE MAXIMUM POSITION... RECONFIRMED BATTERY TESTED GOOD BUT BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY ANY WAY, INSTALLED AND STILL NO RESPONSE FROM IGNITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10678275

85,000 miles · Dec 22, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

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 FUEL. A FEW MONTHS AGO I DECIDED…

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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 FUEL. A FEW MONTHS AGO I DECIDED TO GET A FEW THINGS FIXED ON THE TRUCK AND ASKED THE MECHANIC TO SEE IF HE COULD ISOLATE THE LEAK IN THE REAR TANK. SURPRISINGLY AFTER DOING A PRESSURE AND SMOKE CHECK, HE FOUND NO LEAK AND RECOMMENDED I PUT A FEW GALLONS IN AND SEE HOW THE TRUCK RAN. THE TRUCK RAN FINE FOR A FEW WEEKS BUT, WHILE RUNNING ON THE FRONT TANK, I HAD SOME HESITATION PROBLEMS AND TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SHOP. THE MECHANIC CLEANED THE FUEL INJECTORS AND CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP IN THE REAR TANK (BASED ON A LOW PRESSURE READING) IN ORDER TO TRY TO ISOLATE THE PROBLEM POSSIBLY TO ONE OF THE TANKS. HE ALSO CHANGED THE FUEL QUANTITY SENSOR SINCE IS HAD FAILED YEARS AGO. I FILLED THE REAR TANK (18 GALLONS TOTAL) AND AFTER DRIVING A 30-MILE ROUND TRIP FOR SOME CHRISTMAS SHOPPING, NOTICED THE REAR FUEL GAUGE ONLY SHOWED 3/8 OF A TANK. I FIGURED I HAD RECEIVED A BAD FUEL SENSOR AND DECIDED TO FILL THE TANK TO MAKE SURE. THE TRUCK TOOK A TOTAL OF 7.5 GALLONS OF FUEL. SINCE AT NO TIME DID I NOTE ANY FUEL LEAKAGE, I FIGURED THE FUEL HAS FLOWED TO THE FRONT TANK. DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE WEB I FOUND NHTSA RECALL 91V146 (FORD #91S39) WHICH DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM TO A TEE. THE RECALL INCLUDES 1989 F250 PICKUPS BUT ONLY THOSE SOLD AFTER FEBRUARY 28, 1989. I PURCHASED MINE IN NOVEMBER 1989; HOWEVER, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE EXACT SYMPTOMS AND SAFETY ISSUES. I RECOMMEND THE NHTSA BROADEN ITS RECALL 91V146 TO INCLUDE 1989 F-250S PURCHASED PRIOR TO THE FEBRUARY 1989 START DATE TO PREVENT A POSSIBLE SAFETY INCIDENT OR WORSE. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10667822

93,807 miles · Jun 26, 2013
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

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

NHTSA ODI #10521965

22,000 miles · Mar 18, 2013
Fuel System, GasolineFuel/propulsion System

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 HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM THE OTHER TW…

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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 HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM THE OTHER TWO COMPLAINT FILERS HAVE HAD AND REFERENCED THE SAME FORD RECALL CAMPAIGN OF 91V146000. IF I AM EVER ABLE TO GET THROUGH TO THE NUMBER FOR THE FORD RECALL (313) 446-4654 I AM SUPPOSED TO REFERENCE RECALL NUMBER 91S39. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS TRUCK AND HAVE ONLY 22000 TOTAL MILES ON IT SO THE FAILURE CANNOT BE DUE TO MILEAGE. THIS RECALL APPLIED TO QUITE A FEW MODELS OF FORD FOR 1989. THE TWO PRIOR COMPLAINTS HAVE APPARENTLY BEEN IGNORED-------PROBABLY NOT ENOUGH 1989'S AROUND TO REALLY WORRY ABOUT UNLESS SOMEBODY GETS KILLED AT WHICH TIME I HOPE SOMEBODY REMEMBERS THIS WEBSITE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10503487

448,021 miles · Nov 8, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NHTSA 91V146000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILIARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 448,021.

NHTSA ODI #10483739

Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

1989 FORD F250. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY RECALL CONCERNING FUEL RESERVOIR *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSED TO HONOR A SAFETY RECALL. FORD INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THEY COULD NOT FIND HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER IN THEIR RECORDS AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE CONSUMER STATED EARLIER …

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1989 FORD F250. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY RECALL CONCERNING FUEL RESERVOIR *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSED TO HONOR A SAFETY RECALL. FORD INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THEY COULD NOT FIND HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER IN THEIR RECORDS AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE CONSUMER STATED EARLIER THIS YEAR. WHILE STOPPED AND IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT SIGNAL, GAS FLOWED PROFUSELY FROM THE FRONT TANK FILLER CAP ONTO THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE GROUND BENEATH THE BED THAT SURROUNDED THE REAR WHEELS. HE SWITCHED THE TANK SELECTOR FROM THE FRONT TANK TO THE REAR TANK AND RETURNED HOME. HE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND DISCOVERED IT WAS NOT UNIQUE TO HIS VEHICLE, IN WHICH FORD HAD ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL. RECALL # 91V146000

NHTSA ODI #10476182

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2012
Tires

1989 FORD F250. CONSUMER STATES RUBBER PEELED OFF TIRE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE TREAD PEELED OFF THREE OF THE FOUR NEW TIRES HE PURCHASED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE INCIDENT HAPPENED ON OCTOBER 29, 2011, WHILE TRAVELING APPR 65-70 MPH. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AS THE RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD BEGAN TO PEEL AWAY F…

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1989 FORD F250. CONSUMER STATES RUBBER PEELED OFF TIRE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE TREAD PEELED OFF THREE OF THE FOUR NEW TIRES HE PURCHASED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE INCIDENT HAPPENED ON OCTOBER 29, 2011, WHILE TRAVELING APPR 65-70 MPH. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AS THE RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD BEGAN TO PEEL AWAY FROM THE TIRE AND DAMAGED HIS VEHICLE IN THE PROCESS. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND THEN THE TIRE BLEW OUT. JP

NHTSA ODI #10467463

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.