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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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

20 reports
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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

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

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 · 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 · Jan 11, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL TANK AUXILIARY SELECTOR SWITCH PROBLEM, OVERFLOW FROM ONE TANK TO THE OTHER, RESULTING OF OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP. SAME AS NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 91V146000. HOWEVER MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED SLIGHTLY BEFORE THE EARLIEST CUTOFF DATE OF 2/1989. TS

NHTSA ODI #10000959

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #766893

Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

RECALL 91 V 146 000/AUXILLARY SELECTOR AND SWITCH:PORTION OF UNUSED FUEL FROM ONE TANK TO BE RETURNED TO SECOND TANK. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, SECOND TANK EXCEEDED, CAUSING FUEL SPILLAGES. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN. FEEL FREE TO …

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RECALL 91 V 146 000/AUXILLARY SELECTOR AND SWITCH:PORTION OF UNUSED FUEL FROM ONE TANK TO BE RETURNED TO SECOND TANK. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, SECOND TANK EXCEEDED, CAUSING FUEL SPILLAGES. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8005904

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL IS LEAKING OUT OF FUEL TANK, FUEL IS BYPASSING FRON ONE FUEL TANK TO ANOTHER. WHEN CAPACITY OF ONE TANK IS FULL, FUEL LEAKS OUT. ALSO, RECALL 91V146000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 91S30 WA SISSUED ON THIS MAKE/MODEL. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. CONSUMER HAS NOTICED THIS PROBLEM SINCE 1998. PLEASE P…

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FUEL IS LEAKING OUT OF FUEL TANK, FUEL IS BYPASSING FRON ONE FUEL TANK TO ANOTHER. WHEN CAPACITY OF ONE TANK IS FULL, FUEL LEAKS OUT. ALSO, RECALL 91V146000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 91S30 WA SISSUED ON THIS MAKE/MODEL. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. CONSUMER HAS NOTICED THIS PROBLEM SINCE 1998. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #890658

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