1989 Ford F150 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
133 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
128,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank:Selector Devices is the most frequently named component, appearing in 27 of 133 complaints (20.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 37 | 27.8% |
| Braking behavior | 12 | 9.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 6.8% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 4.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 2.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank:Selector Devices | 27 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 15 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank | 12 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 11 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 4 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 4 |
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank:Selector Devices: 27; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 15; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank: 12; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 11; Fuel System, Gasoline: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 5; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 4; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 4
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 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 122 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 | 27 |
| 1996 | 37 |
| 2000 | 21 |
| 2001 | 12 |
| 2002 | 15 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2010 | 1 |
1995: 27; 1996: 37; 2000: 21; 2001: 12; 2002: 15; 2003: 8; 2004: 2; 2005: 4; 2006: 1; 2007: 5; 2010: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank:Selector Devices leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 37 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 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 10006746 · 2003-02-07 (February 7, 2003)
THE FUEL TANK SELECTOR SWITCH WAS BURNING. PH
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006746 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015247 · 2003-04-07 (April 7, 2003)
THE VEHICLE'S GAS TANK DID NOT RETAIN FUEL. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015247 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504971 · 1996-06-05 (June 5, 1996)
ANTILOCK BRAKES FAIL OFTEN, CAUSING BRAKES TO LOCK UP. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504971 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 738579 · 2001-01-01 (January 1, 2001)
AFTER ABOUT TWO YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, VEHICLE STARTED DYING FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE SLOWING DOWN, LIKE COMING INTO A STOP SIGN. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL ( STEERING AND BRAKES) AND AS THIS IS A HEAVY VEHICLE, I WON'T ALLOW MY WIFE TO DRIVE IT. HAVE TRIED TUNEUPS, ETC. TO NO AVAIL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 738579 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015810 · 2003-04-14 (April 14, 2003)
THE FUSE BOX MELTED OVER THE BATTERY CABLE, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A FIRE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015810 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503241 · 1996-03-18 (March 18, 1996)
WIRING UNDER DASH CAUSED FIRE. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503241 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 561760 · 2001-06-25 (June 25, 2001)
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIR 96V071, CONSUMER HAD NOT RECEIVED THE NOTICE UNTIL NOW DUE TO IT BEING SENT TO AN INCORRECT ADDRESS, DURING RECALL REPAIR A MECHANIC BROKE AN ACTUATOR ROD IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND LOCKED UP THE SHIFTING OF THE TRANSMISSION, CONSUMER WAS CHARGED FOR THE LABOR COSTS AND IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 561760 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 784678 · 2000-06-04 (June 4, 2000)
TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 784678 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10049841 · 2003-12-02 (December 2, 2003)
REAR FUEL TANK OVERFLOWED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 102,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049841 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8006338 · 2002-03-25 (March 25, 2002)
VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS AT 40-50 MPH, NUMEROUS REPAIRS, REPLACING EGR VALVE, CLEANING FUEL INJECTORS, REPLACING IGNITION MODULE, DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE CLUTCH IS NOISY. DEALER REPLACED THROW-OUT BEARING. CONSUMER STATES SERPENTINE BELT IS NOISY. DEALER REPLACED BELT. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8006338 at NHTSA ↗