The 1989 Ford F-150 has 101 fuel system complaints filed with NHTSA — 39% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.
101
Fuel System complaints
39%
Share of year
1
Crash-involved
2
Related recalls
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
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.
“WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY EXPERIENCED POWER LOSS AFTER SWITCHING TO FRONT FUEL TANK. STOPPED ON SHOULDER AND NOTICED LOSS OF GASOLINE BY SMELL.”
NHTSA has 101 complaints about the 1989 Ford F-150 fuel system — 39% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the fuel system: 89V114000, 91V146000.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.