1989 Ford F250 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
68 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
100,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank:Selector Devices is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 68 complaints (13.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 15 | 22.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 9 | 13.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 4.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 4.4% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 4.4% |
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 | 9 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 5 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 4 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 3 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 3 |
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank:Selector Devices: 9; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 5; Tires:Tread/Belt: 5; Electrical System:Ignition: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 4; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 3; Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 3
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 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 61 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 | 18 |
| 1996 | 16 |
| 2000 | 11 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
1995: 18; 1996: 16; 2000: 11; 2001: 6; 2002: 6; 2003: 3; 2004: 2; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank:Selector Devices leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 9 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 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 10000097 · 2002-12-13 (December 13, 2002)
FAULTY IGNITION COMPONENT PRIMARILY USED IN ALL MAKES AND MODELS OF VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD FROM 1986-2000+. CAN CAUSE FIRE, HAS BEEN LISTED AS A RECALL BUT ONLY FOR SPECIFIC VIN NUMBERS. SAME COMPONENT, SAME MANUFACTURER, SAME INSTALLATION, SAME PROBLEMS FOR ALL VEHICLES MAY, HAVE OR CAN ARISE IT IS NOT VEHICLE SPECIFIC BUT COMPONENT SPECIFIC. IF SAME COMPONENTS WERE USED ON ALL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED DURING THIS TIME, THEN ALL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED ARE AT RISK OF HAVING THE SAME MALFUNCTION. THE COMPONENT CAN NOT DETERMINE WHICH VEHICLE …
Owner-reported narrative. 140,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000097 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10047939 · 2004-01-08 (January 8, 2004)
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR OF A TIRE. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO MOLE INFESTATION.*AK WHEN THE BRAKE FUSE BLEW, THE RELEASE MECHANISM FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL DIDN'T WORK. AS A RESULT, WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE RACED FORCING THE CONSUMER TO GO OFF ROAD TO AVOID A ACCIDENT. AT THIS TIME THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS CANCELLED BY HITTING THE OFF BUTTON. *PH *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10047939 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000959 · 2003-01-11 (January 11, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000959 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483617 · 1995-08-25 (August 25, 1995)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED 3 TIMES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483617 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 722354 · 2000-05-06 (May 6, 2000)
MY 1989 FORD F250 4X4 CAUGHT FIRE IN MY DRIVEWAY TODAY. THE TRUCK IS A TOTAL LOSS. ITEMS IN THE TRUCK INCLUDED A CELL PHONE, APPROX. $1,500 WORTH OF TOOLS, A RIFLE, AN ELECTRONIC ORGANIZER, AN AIR COMPRESSOR IN THE BED OF THE TRUCK, CD-PLAYER, CB RADIO, AND NO TELLING WHAT ELSE THAT I CANNOT THINK OF. THE TRUCK WAS WORTH APPROX. $6,000. MY FATHER-IN-LAW TOLD ME HE HEARD ABOUT A RECALL RELATING TO THE ELECTRICAL/IGNITION SWITCH AFTER TELLING A FRIEND ABOUT THE FIRE. ONE OF THE FIREMAN WHO ANSWERED THE CALL SAID THE FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE STA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 722354 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 959819 · 1995-02-09 (February 9, 1995)
LACK OF POWER STEERING. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 959819 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 968293 · 1995-07-06 (July 6, 1995)
THE STEERING GEAR BOX IS LEAKING FROM WHERE THERE WAS WORK DONE ON IT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 968293 at NHTSA ↗