1989 Ford F150: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 10011412 · 2003-03-11 (March 11, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL 89V114000, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011412 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 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 10019951 · 2003-05-15 (May 15, 2003)
THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SYMPTOMS OF NHTSA RECALL 91V-146000 RELATED TO THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019951 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022176 · 2003-06-03 (June 3, 2003)
WHILE FILLING UP THE GAS TANK GAS WOULD SPILL OUT OF VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022176 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033197 · 2003-08-20 (August 20, 2003)
91V146000 FUEL TANK SELECTOR MALFUNCTIONED. I BOUGHT A 1989 F-150 TRUCK AND HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME TROUBLE W/ THE FUEL TRANSFERING FROM THE BACK TANK TO THE FRONT. I SAW THE RECALL AND TALKED TO THE DEALER & THEY SAID MY VIN # WASN'T ON THE SHEET. WHAT DO I DO WITH A KNOWN PROBLEM & THEY WON'T FIX IT?*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10033197 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 ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
89V114000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank
Reported: 1989-07-14 (July 14, 1989)
SHIELDS ON THE FRONTS OF THE MIDSHIP MOUNTED FUEL TANKS WERE OMITTED DURING ASSEMBLY.
Consequence: TRUCKS WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH 30 MPH IMPACT TEST OFFMVSS NO. 301, FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY.
Remedy: INSTALL FUEL TANK SHIELDS.
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 ↗96V071000 · Electrical System:Ignition
Reported: 1996-04-25 (April 25, 1996)
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA campaign record ↗