VehicleVerdict

1989 Ford F-250 brakes problems

The 1989 Ford F-250 has 32 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 23% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

32

Brakes complaints

23%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Brakes complaints by year

Related recalls

92V026000BrakesMarch 3, 1992 · 467,000 units

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.

What owners report

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 11, 1996

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 1989 Ford F-250 have?

NHTSA has 32 complaints about the 1989 Ford F-250 brakes — 23% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1989 Ford F-250 brakes?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the brakes: 92V026000.

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.