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-350 problems
Verdict · NHTSA data
A typical year for this model
The 1989 Ford F-350 is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 55 owner complaints run below the F-350 median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 3 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (11), fuel system (8), and tires & wheels (8), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
55
NHTSA complaints
5
Recalls
7
Investigations
2
Crash-involved
6
Fires reported
3
Injuries
1
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
How does 1989 compare to other F-350 years?
What are the most common 1989 Ford F-350 problems?
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 11 | 20% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 8 | 15% | ▲ up |
| Tires & Wheels | 8 | 15% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 8 | 15% | — flat |
| Engine | 7 | 13% | ▲ up |
| Body & Structure | 3 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 2 | 4% | ▼ down |
| Lighting | 2 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 2 | 4% | — flat |
| Suspension | 2 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Trailer Hitch | 1 | 2% | new |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 2% | — flat |
Does the 1989 Ford F-350 have recalls?
5 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.
Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“GREASE ON REAR BRAKE SEALS, THEY FAILED WHILE DRIVING. OIL WOULD GET ONTO BRAKES. COULD SEE OIL DRIPPING. BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP. REAR BRAKES NOT EFFECTIVE AT ALL, ESPECIALLY WHILE TOWING A TRAILER. WILL HAVE DEALER CHECK OUT SEALS. *AK ”
“CONSUMER STATES THE CHOKE PLATE IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GETS SO HOT, IT MELTS THE FUEL LINE AND IGNITES FUEL, BURNING THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ”
“ALTERNATOR AND WATER PUMP ARE DESIGNED TOO FAR APART; THIS CAUSES THE BELT TO MOVE UP AND DOWN, HITTING THE AIR PUMP AND WEARING THE BELT AWAY. WHEN IT BREAKS, IT TANGLES IN OTHER BELTS, CAUSING THEM TO JUMP OFF AND SHRED THEMSELVES. VEHICLE LOSES POWER STEERING/BRAKES AND WATER PUMP. *AK”
“I WAS EAST BOUND ON INTERSTATE 8 EAST OF ALPINE, CA PULLING A TRAILER UP A 6% GRADE. I NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE REAR OF THE TRUCK. I PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD TO INVESTIGATE. THE SPARE TIRE HAD SHIFTED IN ITS MOUNT NEAR OR AGAINST THE TAIL PIPE. THE TIRE HAD IGNITED AND WAS IN FLAMES. IT…”
“ALTERNATOR AND WATER PUMP ARE DESIGNED TOO FAR APART; THIS CAUSES THE BELT TO MOVE UP AND DOWN, HITTING THE AIR PUMP AND WEARING THE BELT AWAY. WHEN IT BREAKS, IT TANGLES IN OTHER BELTS, CAUSING THEM TO JUMP OFF AND SHRED THEMSELVES. VEHICLE LOSES POWER STEERING/BRAKES AND WATER PUMP. *AK”
1989 Ford F-350 — common questions
Is the 1989 Ford F-350 reliable?
It is close to typical for the F-350: 55 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 7 investigations on file.
What are the most common 1989 F-350 problems?
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (11 complaints), fuel system (8 complaints), tires & wheels (8 complaints).
Does the 1989 Ford F-350 have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1989 Ford F-350. 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-350 under NHTSA investigation?
NHTSA opened 7 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Which Ford F-350 years should you avoid?
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-350 years to avoid are 2017, 2019, 1999, 2000, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2020, 2004, 2006, 2011, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2008, 2005, 1996, 2014, 2002, 1993, 1994, 2021, 2013, 2003. The cleanest record among F-350 years belongs to 2010.
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.