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-250 problems
Verdict · NHTSA data
Worth extra scrutiny
The 1989 Ford F-250 is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 6 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 141 owner complaints run below the F-250 median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (32), fuel system (32), and electrical system (23), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
141
NHTSA complaints
6
Recalls
5
Investigations
4
Crash-involved
17
Fires reported
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
How does 1989 compare to other F-250 years?
What are the most common 1989 Ford F-250 problems?
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 32 | 23% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 32 | 23% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 23 | 16% | — flat |
| Transmission | 12 | 9% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 9 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 8 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Tires & Wheels | 8 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Suspension | 5 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 4 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Body & Structure | 4 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Seats | 1 | 1% | — flat |
| Other | 1 | 1% | new |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Airbags | 1 | 1% | new |
Does the 1989 Ford F-250 have recalls?
6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
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.
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.
Defect
FUEL RESERVOIR SHIELDS, THAT PROTECT THE RESERVOIR FROM CONTACT BY THE TRANSFER CASE IN CERTAIN FRONTAL IMPACTS, WERE NOT INSTALLED.
Consequence
FUEL SPILLAGE IN EXCESS OF THAT PERMITTED BY FMVSS 301COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
INSTALL FUEL RESERVOIR PROTECTIVE SHIELDS.
Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEMS; WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES ON ANY TYPE OF ROAD SURFACE, UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS, THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL LOCKS UP, CAUSING THE TRUCK TO GO INTO A SKID. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN MENTIONED TO THE DEALER. THE SYSTEM HAS NOT BEEN CHECKED. OWNER STILL EXPERIENCING A…”
“FUEL IS LEAKING OUT OF FUEL TANK, FUEL IS BYPASSING FRON ONE FUEL TANK TO ANOTHER. WHEN CAPACITY OF ONE TANK IS FULL, FUEL LEAKS OUT. ALSO, RECALL 91V146000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 91S30 WA SISSUED ON THIS MAKE/MODEL. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. CONSUMER HAS NOTICED THIS PROBLEM…”
“WHILE PULLING TRAILER ON HIGHWAY AT 50 MPH, DRIVER BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. HE LOOKED AT INSTRUMENT PANEL TO SEE IF ANY WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATING. TRUCK BEGAN TO SMOKE INSIDE CAB. DRIVER PULLED OVER AND IN MINUTES TRUCK BURNED.*AK”
“WHENEVER SHIFTING INTO EITHER 1ST/ 2ND OR 3RD GEAR, WOULD HEAR WHINNING NOISES. WHEN SHIFTING INTO 4TH GEAR, WHINNING NOISE WOULD STOP. ONCE VEHICLE MAKES 65MPH, WHINNING NOISE REAPPEARS. ITS A CONTINUOUS WHINE. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND WAS INFORMED THAT DRIVESHAFT WAS TOO LONG FOR…”
“WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. BY THE TIME IT COULD BE SAFELY PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IT WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS.”
1989 Ford F-250 — common questions
Is the 1989 Ford F-250 reliable?
It is close to typical for the F-250: 141 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and 5 investigations on file.
What are the most common 1989 F-250 problems?
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (32 complaints), fuel system (32 complaints), electrical system (23 complaints).
Does the 1989 Ford F-250 have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1989 Ford F-250. 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-250 under NHTSA investigation?
NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Which Ford F-250 years should you avoid?
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-250 years to avoid are 2019, 2017, 1999, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2000, 2011, 2020, 1997, 2006, 2001, 2008, 1995, 2014. The cleanest record among F-250 years belongs to 1982.
Related
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.