1989 Ford F-150 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
101,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 14 complaints (35.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 42.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 7.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 1 |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 5; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Horn: 1; Electrical System:Starter Assembly: 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 5 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 |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2012: 4; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2017: 1; 2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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 10455758 · 2012-04-19 (April 19, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING THE DUAL FULL TANKS TO CAPACITY, FUEL BEGAN TO LEAK CONTINUOUSLY OUT OF THE FILLER CAP WHEN THE FILLER CAP WAS TIGHTLY SECURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE DUAL FUEL TANK VALVE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 89V114000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: AUXILLARY TANK); HOWEVER THE RECALL EXPIRED ON JULY 10, 1999. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WA…
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10455758 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10468773 · 2012-08-01 (August 1, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE MAIN FUEL TANK WAS FILLED TO CAPACITY, THE FUEL WOULD NOT FLOW INTO THE AUXILIARY TANK AND INSTEAD, WOULD SPILL OUT ONTO THE GROUND. THE CONTAC T REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 91V146000 (FUEL SYSTEM: GASOLINE: STOTAGE: AUXILLIARY TANK: SELCETOR DEVICES), BUT WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,245.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10468773 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11189890 · 2019-03-19 (March 19, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F-150. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE OFF A USED CAR LOT, IT FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY, BUT THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT SUSPECTED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAULTY AND THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK. THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF OREGON, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT, WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU OF OREGON ALSO TOOK A COMPLAINT FROM THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT ONLY RECEIVED A REFUND FOR HALF OF WHAT HE PAID FOR THE VEHICLE. …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11189890 at NHTSA ↗