RoadVitals

1989 Ford B700

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
3
Latest Oct 22, 1999
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Jun 27, 1994
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Ford B700, most frequently naming the steering and brakes categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 3 NHTSA investigations name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Steering266.7%
  • Brakes133.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
94V118000

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

Jun 27, 1994
12,700 units potentially affected
The defect: THE STEERING GEARS HAVE AN IMPROPERLY MACHINED SNAP RING GROOVE. THIS CAN CAUSE A FRACTURE OF THE SNAP RING WITH SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE TO THE RECIRCULATING BALL GUIDE TUBE. ALSO, THE O-RING SEAL IN VEHICLES BUILT AFTER FEBRUARY 1988 DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS AND IS INADEQUATE, CAUSING INTERIOR LEAKAGE AROUND THE O-RING / GLIDE RING SEAL IN THE STEERING GEAR.
The risk: THE FRACTURE OF THE SNAP RING RESULTS IN INCREASING DETERIORATION OF THE ABILITY TO TURN THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT. THE DRIVER WOULD EXPERIENCE INCREASED STEERING EFFORTS OR A "CRUNCHY" FEELING AT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE INADEQUATE O-RING SEAL CAUSES MOMENTARY REDUCTIONS IN POWER STEERING ASSIST AT LOW SPEED AND CERTAIN LEFT TURN MANEUVERS. BOTH CONDITIONS RESULT IN DECREASED STEERING ABILITY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REBUILD THE STEERING GEAR. IF A BROKEN SNAP RING IS FOUND DURING REBUILDING, THE STEERING GEAR WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REMANUFACTURED UNIT.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
94V056000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

Mar 26, 1994
3,660 units potentially affected
The defect: SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; BATTERY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MEDIUM DUTY SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKES, TILT HOODS, 5.9L, 6.6L OR 7.6L DIESEL ENGINES OR 6.1L OR 7.0L GASOLINE ENGINES AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA ,RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, AND WISCONSIN. THE BATTERY POWER JUNCTION BLOCK MOUNTED ON THE RIGHT FENDER APRON, WHICH SERVES AS AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION POINT FOR SEVERAL ENGINE COMPARTMENT SYSTEMS, IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO ROAD SPLASH. THE TERMINALS AT THE JUNCTION BLOCK CAN EXPERIENCE CORROSION AND CAN FRACTURE, CAUSING LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENGINE SHUTDOWN.
The risk: ENGINE SHUTDOWN, LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST, OR LOSS OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOST CAN OCCUR WHICH MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE JUNCTION BOX, MAIN POWER TERMINAL THE STARTER OR STARTER RELAY AND TERMINALS AT THE EXISTING JUNCTION BLOCK. THE WIRING OF THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE CIRCUIT WILL ALSO BE MODIFIED BY BYPASSING THE JUNCTION BLOCK. THE NEW TERMINALS WILL BE MADE FROM AN ALLOY MATERIAL MORE RESISTANT TO SALT CORROSION.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA91014ClosedEngineering Analysis

STEERING LOCKUP

Opened Jan 31, 1991
Closed Aug 27, 1991

There is no summary currently available

STEERINGLed to recall 91V126000
PE91002ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

STEERING LOCKUP

Opened Oct 3, 1990
Closed Jan 31, 1991

There is no summary currently available

STEERING
EA90036ClosedEngineering Analysis

BRAKE CHAMBER FAILURE

Opened Jul 6, 1990
Closed Jul 6, 1991

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Oct 22, 1999

THE BRAKE LINE TO THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AND THE LINE TO THE REAR BRAKES WENT THROUGH A COMMON BRACKET ALONG THE FRAME. INSIDE THIS BRACKET, COMPLETELY UNDETECTABLE, THE 2 LINES HAD RUSTED... BOTH FAILED AT THE SAME TIME. I SAW THE FLUID LEAK, BUT KNEW I HAD LOST BOTH BRAKING SYSTEMS, FRONT AND REAR, SO I CONTINUED LOOKING FOR ANOTHER LEAK. TO MY SURPRISE, BOTH LINES MADE CONTACT INSIDE THIS BOLT-ON STRAP CONNECTOR AND HAD RUSTED SIMULTANEOUSLY. ALL WARNING LIGHTS AND BUZZERS WORKED PROPERLY. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL HIT THE FLOOR, THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH RESERVE PRESSURE TO ALLOW ME TO CONTINUE TURNING. HEADING DOWNHILL AND MAKING A HARD LEFT TURN WITH VERY LITTLE CLEARANCE FROM MY HOUSE, I NEARLY HIT MY HOUSE BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. MANY YEARS OF DOUBLE-BOTTOM 160K LB. GASOLINE TANKER DRIVING AND A SOUND MECHANICAL KNOWLEDGE HASTENED MY REACTION TIME AND I FLIPPED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LEVER AND RELEAVED THE PRESSURE FROM THE REAR SPRING BRAKES, WHICH BROUGHT ME TO A STOP. WITH BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKES GONE AT THE SAME TIME, AND WITH ALL BUZZERS AND LIGHTS SENDING ME WARNINGS, STILL THE EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED TO APPLY THE REAR BRAKES WITHOUT MANUALLY MOVING THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER. THIS IS THE MOST SERIOUS PROBLEM I HAVE EVER INCURRED! A BUS LOAD OF CHILDREN WOULD BE IN DESPARATE DANGER IF THIS HAPPENED TO ONE OF THE MANY SIMULAR BUSES STILL TRANSPORTING CHILDREN TODAY. VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE LINES WOULD NOT SHOW THIS PROBLEM. THE BRACKET WOULD NEED TO BE PHYSICALLY REMOVED IN ORDER TO INSPECT FOR RUST. THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN! I AM REPLACING ALL LINES ON MY BUS... I NO LONGER TRUST ANY CONNECTOR UNDERNEATH THIS OTHERWISE VERY SOLID VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
713719
Incident
Oct 20, 1999
Steering
Filed Mar 5, 1997

TWO OF THE BUSES WERE RECALLED BOTH ARE STILL LEAKING AFTER THE WORK HAD BEEN PERFORMED. ONE OF THE VIN # 1FDPJ75POKVA59531. *AK

NHTSA ID
809733
Steering
Filed Mar 9, 1995

FLEET 1990 TO 1993. MIDWAY FORD 9V4118. BENDIX WILL NOT SEND THE PART TO FORD THEREFORE THE DEALERSHIP CAN NOT HONOR THE RECALL. TT

NHTSA ID
961557
Incident
Sep 9, 1994

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford B700 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1998000—
1997100—
1996001—
1995021—
1994031—
1993051—
1992131—
1991120—
1990123—
1989Viewing323—
1988032—
1987110—
1986011—
1985001—
1984111—
1983021—
1982020—
1981040—
1980020—
1979010—
1978010—
1976010—
1975021—
1974030—
1973050—
1972030—
1971030—
1970010—
1969010—
1968030—
1967020—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.