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1989 Ford F250

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 101 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.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports13 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

101 reports
95,000 miles · Jan 11, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F250 PICKUP TRUCK. HE NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE; ALTHOUGH, THERE WERE SEVERAL RECALLS RELATED TO THE FUEL SYSTEM, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 89V114000, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE STORAGE AUXILIARY TANK, 91V146000, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE STORAGE, AUXILIARY TANK SELE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F250 PICKUP TRUCK. HE NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE; ALTHOUGH, THERE WERE SEVERAL RECALLS RELATED TO THE FUEL SYSTEM, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 89V114000, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE STORAGE AUXILIARY TANK, 91V146000, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE STORAGE, AUXILIARY TANK SELECTOR DEVICES AND 88V182000, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE STORAGE, TANK ASSEMBLY MOUNTING . NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER ASSUMED NO LIABILITY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER UNDER 95,000. THE VIN WAS NOT ACCEPTED IN THE SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI #10299035

98,000 miles · Feb 25, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL COMING FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND OBSERVED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE AUXILIARY TANK. IMMEDIATELY, THE FUEL TANK CAP WAS REMOVED AND FUEL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL COMING FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND OBSERVED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE AUXILIARY TANK. IMMEDIATELY, THE FUEL TANK CAP WAS REMOVED AND FUEL SPRAYED OUT OF THE TANK ONTO HIS CLOTHING. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES SUSTAINED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE MAIN FUEL TANK FAILED IN THE SAME MANNER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 91V146000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,STORAGE;AUXILIARY TANK;SELECTOR DEVICES). THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 105,000. UPDATED 03/18/09. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10259881

145,000 miles · Feb 25, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL IS BEING PUMPED OUT OF FRONT TANK ON TO GROUND, SEE 91V146000 FORD CAN NOT TELL ME IF THE RECALL HAS OR HAS NOT BEEN DONE ON THIS TRUCK. SEEMS IF THE TRUCK IS OVER 10 YEARS OLD THEY DON'T KEEP TRACK OR SOMETHING... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10219091

Mileage unknown · May 19, 2006
Tires

WE (UNKNOWINGLY) BOUGHT $200 EACH, 10 PLY COOPER TIRES FROM DISCOUNT TIRE LESS THAN 2 YEARS AGO. THESE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE WEIGHT OF OUR TRUCK AND CAMPER. IN OCTOBER OF 2005, THE TREAD CAME COMPLETELY OFF OF ONE OF THE REAR TIRES AND DAMAGED ONE SIDE OF THE TRUCK AND PART OF THE CAB OVER CAMPER. THEN THIS P…

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WE (UNKNOWINGLY) BOUGHT $200 EACH, 10 PLY COOPER TIRES FROM DISCOUNT TIRE LESS THAN 2 YEARS AGO. THESE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE WEIGHT OF OUR TRUCK AND CAMPER. IN OCTOBER OF 2005, THE TREAD CAME COMPLETELY OFF OF ONE OF THE REAR TIRES AND DAMAGED ONE SIDE OF THE TRUCK AND PART OF THE CAB OVER CAMPER. THEN THIS PAST WEEKEND, THE SAME THING HAPPENED, THE TREAD COMPLETELY CAME OFF, REALLY DAMAGED THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRUCK AND ALSO PARTIALLY DAMAGED THE BOAT WE WERE TOWING. THE TIRES BOTH TIMES WERE STILL HOLDING AIR, JUST THREW THE TREAD. MY HUSBAND ACTUALLY WENT AND RETRIEVED THE TREAD FROM THE HIGHWAY THIS LATEST TIME. DISCOUNT TIRE WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIRE, BECAUSE OF THE WARRANTY, BUT THAT DOES NOT SOLVE THE DANGER OR THE DAMAGES THESE TIRES ARE CAUSING. THE SAME NIGHT AS THIS HAPPENED, ABC 15 NEWS SHOWED A STORY THAT THIS IS HAPPENING ALL OVER WITH COOPER TIRES, AND SHOWED US HOW TO IDENTIFY THAT WE HAD SOME OF THESE TIRES THAT ARE THROWING THEIR TREAD. OURS ARE ON THE LIST. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10157868

100,000 miles · Dec 15, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 91V146000 CONCERNING THE AUXILIARY TANK DEVICES. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK UPDATED 02/28/06.

NHTSA ODI #10145270

239,000 miles · Jun 17, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. BY THE TIME IT COULD BE SAFELY PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IT WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS.

NHTSA ODI #10125657

55,000 miles · Dec 8, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL LEAKED OUT PAST THE FILLER CAP WHILE DRIVING. THIS WAS DUE TO THE DEFECT DESCRIBED IN THE FUEL TANK AUXILIARY SELECTOR AND SWITCH RECALL 91V146000 BUT THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *JB THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTION VALVE FAILED CAUSING AN OVERFLOW CONDITION IN ONE TANK WITH OVERFLOW OF FUEL. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10097009

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2004
Electrical SystemSuspension

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR OF A TIRE. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO MOLE INFESTATION.*AK WHEN THE BRAKE FUSE BLEW, THE RELEASE MECHANISM FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL DIDN'T WORK. AS A RESULT, WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE VEH…

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CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR OF A TIRE. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO MOLE INFESTATION.*AK WHEN THE BRAKE FUSE BLEW, THE RELEASE MECHANISM FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL DIDN'T WORK. AS A RESULT, WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE RACED FORCING THE CONSUMER TO GO OFF ROAD TO AVOID A ACCIDENT. AT THIS TIME THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS CANCELLED BY HITTING THE OFF BUTTON. *PH *NM

NHTSA ODI #10047939

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL TANK SELECTOR AND SWITCH EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 91V146000; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10042836

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2003
Electrical SystemFire

CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD DUE TO WIRE HARNESS DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10032101

Official recalls

6

96V071000 · Electrical System:ignition

Apr 25, 1996

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

92V026000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:drum:shoes/linings

Mar 3, 1992

A REVISED BRAKE LINING NOISE INSULATOR RESULTED IN A DECREASE IN THE THERMAL INSULATION BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINING AND THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER PISTON. THIS CAUSED GREATER HEAT TRANSFER TO THE CALIPER PISTONS WITH THE POTENTIAL TO OVERHEAT THE BRAKE FLUID AND DIMINISH BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS DURING SEVERE BRAKING CONDITIONS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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 CONSTANT BRAKING IS NEEDED TO MANEUVER THROUGH AREAS WITHSTEEP GRADES.

Remedy: ADD SNAP-IN INSULATORS THAT ATTACH TO EACH OF THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER PISTONS. IN ADDITION, VEHICLES WITH 7.5 L ENGINES WILL HAVE INSULATION ADDED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BRAKE LINES.

91V146000 · 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.

89V114000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank

Jul 14, 1989

SHIELDS ON THE FRONTS OF THE MIDSHIP MOUNTED FUEL TANKS WERE OMITTED DURING ASSEMBLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: TRUCKS WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH 30 MPH IMPACT TEST OFFMVSS NO. 301, FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY.

Remedy: INSTALL FUEL TANK SHIELDS.

88V182000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

Nov 18, 1988

FUEL RESERVOIR SHIELDS, THAT PROTECT THE RESERVOIR FROM CONTACT BY THE TRANSFER CASE IN CERTAIN FRONTAL IMPACTS, WERE NOT INSTALLED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL SPILLAGE IN EXCESS OF THAT PERMITTED BY FMVSS 301COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: INSTALL FUEL RESERVOIR PROTECTIVE SHIELDS.

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

5

EA93014 · Alternator Belt Failure

Opened Jun 4, 1993 · Closed Jul 29, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

EA91044 · Loss Of Brake Effectivenes

Opened Oct 30, 1991 · Closed Oct 30, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

===

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

PE91090 · Spare Tire Fires

Opened Jun 20, 1991 · Closed Oct 25, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment

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