1989 Ford F350: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
24 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires:Tread/Belt is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 24 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 16.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.2% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 6 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 2 |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly:Relay | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch | 1 |
Tires:Tread/Belt: 6; Electrical System:Ignition: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 2; Electrical System:Starter Assembly:Relay: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor: 1; Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch: 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 | 0 |
| 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: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 24 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 | 3 |
| 1996 | 8 |
| 2000 | 8 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
1995: 3; 1996: 8; 2000: 8; 2001: 3; 2002: 1; 2005: 1
Pattern summary
Tires:Tread/Belt leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10141722 · 2005-11-04 (November 4, 2005)
I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM PHOENIX. I WAS TRANSITIONING FROM THE 101 FREEWAY,TO THE 60 EASTBOUND. ALMOST WHERE THE CONCRETE BARRIERS COME TO A POINT AND END, MY LEFT FRONT TIRE CUT LOOSE OF IT'S TREAD. I BRIEFLY SAW THAT IT WENT TOWARDS, AND IN BETWEEN THE CONCRETE BARRIERS. THE TIRE DID NOT GO FLAT. WHEN THE TREAD LEFT, IT TORE UP THE INNER FENDER PLASTIC, BENT THE QUARTER PANEL RIGHT BEHIND THE WHEEL WELL, DESTROYED THE FOOTSTEP BOLTED ON UNDERNEATH THE DRIVERS DOOR. THE VEHICLE IS A 1989 F350 4-DOOR LONGBED 4-WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK. THIS E…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10141722 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503173 · 1996-04-11 (April 11, 1996)
REAR WHEEL GREASE RETAINER SEALS FAILED SIX TIMES, CAUSING OIL TO LEAK ON REAR BRAKE SHOES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503173 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 505096 · 1996-06-03 (June 3, 1996)
HEADLIGHT SWITCH SHORTED FOUR TIMES, CAUSING LOSS OF VISIBILITY. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 505096 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 505274 · 1996-05-15 (May 15, 1996)
CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVERHEATED FAILED 2 TIMES. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 505274 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 505600 · 1996-06-25 (June 25, 1996)
TRAILER DETACHED FROM VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY. (NEW JERSEY POLICE REPORT)
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 505600 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 556318 · 2000-10-20 (October 20, 2000)
MICHELIN TIRES P235 85 R16 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CONSUMER FEELS IT MAY BE A DEFECT OF THE VEHICLE INSTEAD OF THE TIRE. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 556318 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 717954 · 2000-01-27 (January 27, 2000)
FUEL SPILLS OUT OF VEHICLE, VERY DANGEROUS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 717954 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 728437 · 2000-08-19 (August 19, 2000)
IN RESEARCHING PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET I FOUND A NUMBER OF NEWSPAPER ARTICLES INDICIATING NTSA HAD REOPENED THEIR INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROBLEM. COULD NOT LOCATE ANY DATA ON YOUR SITE. ANY STATUS ON PROBLEM OR RECALL??
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 728437 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 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 ↗92V026000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum:Shoes/Linings
Reported: 1992-03-03 (March 3, 1992)
A REVISED BRAKE LINING NOISE INSULATOR RESULTED IN A DECREASE IN THE THERMAL INSULATION BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINING AND THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER PISTON. THIS CAUSED GREATER HEAT TRANSFER TO THE CALIPER PISTONS WITH THE POTENTIAL TO OVERHEAT THE BRAKE FLUID AND DIMINISH BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS DURING SEVERE BRAKING CONDITIONS.
Consequence: INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES AND INABLILITY TO HOLDVEHICLES ON A STEEP GRADE RESULTS IN INCREASED RISK OF ACCIDENT IN THE EVENT OFA SUDDEN STOP OR WHEN CONSTANT BRAKING IS NEEDED TO MANEUVER THROUGH AREAS WITHSTEEP GRADES.
Remedy: ADD SNAP-IN INSULATORS THAT ATTACH TO EACH OF THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER PISTONS. IN ADDITION, VEHICLES WITH 7.5 L ENGINES WILL HAVE INSULATION ADDED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BRAKE LINES.
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 ↗