1989 Ford E350 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
25,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 19 complaints (26.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 36.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure | 5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 1 |
Structure: 5; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor: 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 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 18 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 | 4 |
| 1996 | 9 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
1995: 4; 1996: 9; 2000: 2; 2001: 2; 2002: 1; 2004: 1
Pattern summary
Structure leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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 10079553 · 2004-06-21 (June 21, 2004)
INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE LOSES BRAKE POWER WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND FAILS TO STOP THE TRUCK. THE EMERGENCY BRAKES HAD TO BE ENGAGED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITH IN 400 MILES. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AGAIN, AND BLEED THE BRAKES. HOWEVER, FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN 1500 MILES. THEN, DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE BRAKE LINE WAS ROUTED BEHIND THE ENGINE , WHICH GET HOT AND BOILED THE FLUID.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10079553 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 505852 · 1996-06-26 (June 26, 1996)
BRAKE FLUID OVERHEATED, CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 505852 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 757383 · 2002-01-26 (January 26, 2002)
BRAKE CALIPER FAILED TO RELEASE, BOILING THE BRAKE FLUID (UNBEKNOWNST TO ME UNTIL IT CAME TIME TO APPLY THE BRAKES). THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I LET IT UP COMPLETELY AND WHEN DEPRESSED, IT WENT TO THE FLOOR ONCE AGAIN. I USED THE TRANSMISSION (GEARING DOWN) AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO BRING VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT NEVER ILLUMINATED. WHEN REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED, THE PRIMARY FAULT WAS IDENTIFIED AS EXTREMELY RUSTY FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS. ONE DID NOT RELEASE COMPLETELY AFTER A BRAKE APP…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 757383 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 500059 · 1996-01-02 (January 2, 1996)
CATALYTIC CONVERTER PLUGGED UP,CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 500059 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 964759 · 1995-05-03 (May 3, 1995)
POWER STEERING GEAR BOX SEALS ARE LEAKING, CAUSING STEERING TO BE DIFFICULT. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 964759 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 740788 · 2001-02-12 (February 12, 2001)
THE ORIGIONAL FUEL SPILL OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE DOWN LAS VEGAS BLVD S. I NOTICED THAT MY FUEL GAUGE WAS SHOWING ONLY HALF FULL ON THE REAR TANK WHEN I HAD JUST FILLED THE VAN. I THEN NOTICED I WAS TRAILING FUEL DOWN THE STREET. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED IT WAS POURING FUEL FROM THE FILL CAP FOR THE FRONT TANK. I SWITCHED TO THE FRONT TANK AND THE FUEL SPILL STOPPED. I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THE SAID IT WOULD COST OVER ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE PART TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND WOULD TAKE A WEEK TO GET THE PART…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 740788 at NHTSA ↗