1989 Ford E150 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
94,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 22 complaints (13.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 13.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 13.6% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 9.1% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 4.5% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank:Selector Devices | 2 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 2 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition: 3; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank:Selector Devices: 2; Tires:Tread/Belt: 2; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 19 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 8 |
| 1996 | 8 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
1995: 8; 1996: 8; 2000: 3; 2003: 1; 2008: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 729257 · 2000-08-27 (August 27, 2000)
THE AIR CONDITIONING BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH WAS MELTED I REPLACED IT AND IT MELTED AFTER 4000 MILES. I WENT TO A SALVAGE YARD AND THEY WERE ALL MELTED IN THE HI POSITION. WHEN ON HI THE WIRING GET SO HOT YOU CANNOT HOLD THE WIRES
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 729257 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 985561 · 1996-06-12 (June 12, 1996)
DRIVING VEHICLE AT SPEED 65MPH, UNDER THE HOOD FIRE, SMELL OF WIRING BURNING, ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 985561 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10232970 · 2008-07-01 (July 1, 2008)
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID# 91V146000 REFERS TO A SAFETY RECALL FOR A FAULTY DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE IN FORD ECONOLINE VANS EQUIPPED WITH DUAL FUEL TANKS BUILT BETWEEN 1989 AND 1991 AND OTHER SIMILAR MODELS . I HAVE CONTACTED FORD TO INVESTIGATE , BUT THERE ARE NO RECORDS THAT CONFIRM OR DISAFFIRM MY VEHICLE'S INCLUSION IN THIS RECALL. BASICALLY, I DON'T KNOW IF MY VAN WAS AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL AND IF ANY RECALL SERVICES WERE PERFORMED. I AM EXPERIENCING A FAULT IN THE DUAL FUEL TANK SYSTEM. IT SEEMS THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WILL NOT SWITCH …
Owner-reported narrative. 94,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10232970 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 969509 · 1995-07-28 (July 28, 1995)
HE FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING FUEL TO SPILL. SEE RECALL MFG RECALL N0.91S39. NHTSA 91V146. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 969509 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 734638 · 2000-10-18 (October 18, 2000)
BEGAN HAVING SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH STALLING APPROX. 2 MOS AGO , STALLED WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND WHILE CROSSING INTERSECTIONS , ENDANGERING THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY , WHICH CONSISTS OF MYSELF ,MY WIFE , AND OUR FOUR SMALL CHILDREN. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURED 7 TIMES. I HAVE REPAIRED IT TWICE. RECENTLY I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. AND AT FIRST THEY DENIED AND PROBLEM AND THE RECENT RECALL IN CALIFORNIA. IHAVE DONE A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF RESEARCH REGARDING THIS PROBLEM INCLUDING MEETING WITH A REGIONAL FORD DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 734638 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 972323 · 1995-09-22 (September 22, 1995)
THE FRONT BRAKE STILL MAKES HEAT,THE REAR END AXLE WAS REPLACED . TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 972323 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 958802 · 1995-01-18 (January 18, 1995)
STEERING; THE TIE ROD BALL JOINT WEARS OUT. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 958802 at NHTSA ↗