1989 Ford E350: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 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 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 507732 · 1996-08-20 (August 20, 1996)
BRAKE FAILURE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 507732 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 558383 · 2000-12-28 (December 28, 2000)
THE THERMOSTAT HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE AND HAD AN ADJUSTMENT MADE ONCE. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 558383 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 601360 · 1996-04-01 (April 1, 1996)
HAND RAIL FAILED ON BUS NUMBER 138. (FIFTH VEHICLE ON 503019) *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 601360 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 601361 · 1996-04-01 (April 1, 1996)
HAND RAIL FAILED ON BUS NUMBER 139. (SIXTH VEHICLE ON 503019) *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 601361 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 601362 · 1996-04-01 (April 1, 1996)
HAND RAIL FAILED ON BUS NUMBER 140. (SEVENTH VEHICLE ON 503019) *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 601362 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
89V062000 · Electrical System:Wiring
Reported: 1989-04-17 (April 17, 1989)
NYLON TIES THAT SUPPORT THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS TO THE CHASSIS COULD WEAR AND BREAK DUE TO EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. THUS, WIRING HARNESS COULD FALL ON ENGINE COMPONENTS AND SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE LOSS OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHICH COULDRESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: INSTALL RETROFIT RIT OF PLASTIC-COATED METAL CLAMPS, LOOM FOR POSITIVE BATTERY CABLES AND RE-ROUTE WIRING.
NHTSA campaign record ↗90V101000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
Reported: 1990-06-01 (June 1, 1990)
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE SNAP RING THAT LOCATES THE PARK GEAR ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION MAY FRACTURE.
Consequence: WHEN THE GEAR IS PLACED IN PARK, THE PARK GEAR WOULD NOTENGAGE, ALLOWING THE TRUCK TO ROLL FREELY IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT PROPERLYSET. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL IMPROVED SNAP RING AND REVISED TRANSMISSION EXTENSION HOUSING.
NHTSA campaign record ↗91V146000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank:Selector Devices
Reported: 1991-09-04 (September 4, 1991)
THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE MAY MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE AN OVERFILL CONDITION IN ONE OF THE FUEL TANKS, RESULTING IN AN OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP.
Consequence: THE OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP CAUSES A FUELLEAKAGE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy: REPLACE THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗