Defect
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.
1989 Ford F-150 problems
Verdict · NHTSA data
A typical year for this model
The 1989 Ford F-150 sits mid-pack among F-150 years: 260 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 542, with 4 recalls and 5 closed investigations. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 5 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.
Fuel System leads the complaint categories with 101 reports (39% of the total).
260
NHTSA complaints
4
Recalls
5
Investigations
5
Crash-involved
45
Fires reported
5
Injuries
2
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
How does 1989 compare to other F-150 years?
What are the most common 1989 Ford F-150 problems?
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System | 101 | 39% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 57 | 22% | — flat |
| Engine | 18 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Brakes | 17 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 13 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Tires & Wheels | 11 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 9 | 3% | — flat |
| Steering | 8 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Body & Structure | 8 | 3% | — flat |
| Suspension | 5 | 2% | — flat |
| Visibility & Wipers | 4 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Other | 3 | 1% | ▲ up |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 2 | 1% | ▲ up |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Seats | 1 | 0% | — flat |
| Airbags | 1 | 0% | new |
Does the 1989 Ford F-150 have recalls?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
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.
Defect
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.
Defect
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.
Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY EXPERIENCED POWER LOSS AFTER SWITCHING TO FRONT FUEL TANK. STOPPED ON SHOULDER AND NOTICED LOSS OF GASOLINE BY SMELL.”
“WHILE GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE AND STARTING IT UP, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER PUT OUT THE FIRE, AND THE FIRE KEPT STARTING BACK UP UNTIL THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED TO KEEP WIRING HARNESS FROM REIGNITING. THIS FIRE WAS A…”
“DRIVING CAR W/TRAILER, JUST HAD CAR LOOKED AT, FELT SOMETHING WRONG, JUMPED OUT OF CAR, THEN CAR BLEW UP SUDDENLY, CAR ENGULFED IN FLAMES, LOST THE TRAILER. *AK”
“METALLIC BRAKE LINE AT BEND LOCATION RUPTURED WHEN DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES. BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO FLOOR WITH NO WARNING. TRUCK ROLLED THROUGH A RED LIGHT.AK”
“VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL; BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO A STEEP DITCH WHER IT ROLLED AND WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED.”
1989 Ford F-150 — common questions
Is the 1989 Ford F-150 reliable?
Its record is better than the model's norm: 260 NHTSA complaints, below the typical F-150 year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.
What are the most common 1989 F-150 problems?
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (101 complaints), electrical system (57 complaints), engine (18 complaints).
Does the 1989 Ford F-150 have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1989 Ford F-150. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Is the 1989 Ford F-150 under NHTSA investigation?
NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Which Ford F-150 years should you avoid?
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-150 years to avoid are 2013, 1997, 2011, 2018, 2016, 2012, 2004, 2015, 2014, 2017, 2019, 1998, 2001, 2005, 1999, 2000, 2021, 2010, 2002, 1994, 2020. The cleanest record among F-150 years belongs to 1976.
Related
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.