The 1989 Ford F-250 has 32 fuel system complaints filed with NHTSA — 23% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.
32
Fuel System complaints
23%
Share of year
0
Crash-involved
3
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.
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.
“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…”
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the 1989 Ford F-250 fuel system — 23% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the fuel system: 88V182000, 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.