RoadVitals

1989 Ford E-150

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.
31
Latest Sep 10, 2023
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 Sep 4, 1991
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.
6
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 31 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Ford E-150, most frequently naming the electrical, fuel system and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

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

  • Electrical925.7%
  • Fuel system822.9%
  • Engine617.1%
  • Interior & seats25.7%
  • Tires & wheels25.7%
  • Steering12.9%
  • Suspension12.9%
  • Body & structure12.9%

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
91V146000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES

Sep 4, 1991
350,000 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: THE OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP CAUSES A FUELLEAKAGE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
The remedy: REPLACE THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
90V101000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

Jun 1, 1990
111,000 units potentially affected
The defect: UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE SNAP RING THAT LOCATES THE PARK GEAR ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION MAY FRACTURE.
The risk: 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.
The remedy: INSTALL IMPROVED SNAP RING AND REVISED TRANSMISSION EXTENSION HOUSING.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

EA91044ClosedEngineering Analysis

LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES

Opened Oct 30, 1991
Closed Oct 30, 1992

===

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICLed to recall 92V026000
EA91031ClosedEngineering Analysis

FUEL EXPULSION

Opened Jun 26, 1991
Closed Nov 1, 1991

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGESLed to recall 91V146000
PE91077ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES

Opened May 23, 1991
Closed Oct 31, 1991

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 31
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 10, 2023

Ignition control module fails due to excessive heat buildup, due to where the control module is located. The ignition control module needs to be relocated to a cooler area under the hood, and mounted on a large heat sink, and this new location should be where cooling airflow from front of van flows over the ignition control module and its connected heat sink. The ignition control module will fail without any warnings, no warning lamps, or any other symptoms. This problem leaves your vehicle and your passengers stranded until it cools down which can take an hour or more! Then will happen again, and again when it heats up. it has failed when I had just pulled into an intersection, when I was traveling down a city street and on the expressway! and when stopped at a stop sign or traffic light! Ford knows this problem exists in this model van and Ford's pickup truck lines, and other model Ford cars. has only addressed the problem happening to mustang models!

NHTSA ID
11543672
Incident
Sep 9, 2020
Fuel system
Filed Jul 1, 2008

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID# 91V146000 REFERS TO A SAFETY RECALL FOR A FAULTY DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE IN FORD ECONOLINE VANS EQUIPPED WITH DUAL FUEL TANKS BUILT BETWEEN 1989 AND 1991 AND OTHER SIMILAR MODELS . I HAVE CONTACTED FORD TO INVESTIGATE , BUT THERE ARE NO RECORDS THAT CONFIRM OR DISAFFIRM MY VEHICLE'S INCLUSION IN THIS RECALL. BASICALLY, I DON'T KNOW IF MY VAN WAS AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL AND IF ANY RECALL SERVICES WERE PERFORMED. I AM EXPERIENCING A FAULT IN THE DUAL FUEL TANK SYSTEM. IT SEEMS THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WILL NOT SWITCH TO THE MAIN TANK, AND WHEN FILLED, THE MAIN TANK WILL FLOW PAST THE FILLER CAP AND CAUSES A FUEL LEAKAGE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION. I CONTACTED A LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO ADVISED ME THAT NO RECALL SERVICE CAN BE PERFORMED TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE MY VIN# DOES NOT REGISTER IN THE FORD RECALL DATABASE. AGAIN, FORD CANNOT CONFIRM OR DISAFFIRM ANY RECALL SERVICES PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE. I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE SO I DO NOT HAVE ANY SERVICE RECORDS PRIOR TO 2005. IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THIS CONCERN, I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE SECONDARY FUEL PUMP, AS ADVISED BY MY LOCAL MECHANIC. I HAVE ALSO OVERHAULED BOTH FUEL TANKS TO CHECK FOR CLOGGING, OR ANY FOREIGN MATERIALS, AND I HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL SEALS AND MISC. HARDWARE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THIS CONCERN HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2005. I AM ONLY ABLE TO OPERATE MY VEHICLE ON THE AUXILLARY (REAR) FUEL TANK WITH A 13 GALLON CAPACITY. WHEN THE SELECTOR SWITCH IS ON THE FRONT TANK, THE VEHICLE WILL EVENTUALLY STALL AS IF IT IS OUT OF FUEL. WHEN THE FUEL SELECTOR SWITCH IS SET TO THE REAR TANK, I AM ABLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE NORMALLY WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE LIMITED RANGE DUE TO THE SMALL AUXILLARY FUEL TANK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10232970
Incident
Jun 1, 2005
Mileage
94,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 25, 2008

VAN DIED,TOWED TO MECHANICS SHOP,WAS TOLD SWITCH VALVE BETWEEN TANKS WAS PROBLEM, LOOKED ON NHTSA WEBSITE ABOUT RECALLS. FORD VAN 89 E-150 WITH DUEL GAS TANKS. FORD SAFETY RECALL NUMBER IS 91S39 WENT TO FORD WEB SITE,CALLED THEM ON PHONE, CUSTOMER SERVICE AND LOCAL DEALERSHIP. BOTH SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY VAN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10225733
Incident
Apr 25, 2008
Mileage
138,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 10, 2003

WHILE DRIVING, THE TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION AND DAMAGED THE FRONT FENDER. *AK THE VALVE STEM WAS ALSO REPLACED. *PH *JB

NHTSA ID
10024474
Incident
Jun 18, 2003
Mileage
61,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 27, 2000

IGNITION MODULE HAS BEEN GIVING US PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASED-1993- ONE TIME THE MODULE FAILED AND ANOTHER TIME IT WAS REPLACED, STILL THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
735288
Incident
Sep 14, 2000
Electrical
Filed Oct 18, 2000

BEGAN HAVING SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH STALLING APPROX. 2 MOS AGO , STALLED WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND WHILE CROSSING INTERSECTIONS , ENDANGERING THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY , WHICH CONSISTS OF MYSELF ,MY WIFE , AND OUR FOUR SMALL CHILDREN. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURED 7 TIMES. I HAVE REPAIRED IT TWICE. RECENTLY I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. AND AT FIRST THEY DENIED AND PROBLEM AND THE RECENT RECALL IN CALIFORNIA. IHAVE DONE A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF RESEARCH REGARDING THIS PROBLEM INCLUDING MEETING WITH A REGIONAL FORD DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER. PLEASE , PLEASE HELP ME...

NHTSA ID
734638
Incident
Oct 10, 2000
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 27, 2000

THE AIR CONDITIONING BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH WAS MELTED I REPLACED IT AND IT MELTED AFTER 4000 MILES. I WENT TO A SALVAGE YARD AND THEY WERE ALL MELTED IN THE HI POSITION. WHEN ON HI THE WIRING GET SO HOT YOU CANNOT HOLD THE WIRES

NHTSA ID
729257
Incident
Mar 3, 1999
Electrical
Filed Jun 11, 1999
Fire reported

ALTENATEOR HARNESS PLUG CONNECTOR SUDDENLY SHORT CIRCUTED, AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO CATCHON FIRE. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
839489

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

951113

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

DELAYED FORWARD ENGAGEMENT AND/OR HEAT STAINED FORWARD CLUTCH PLATES AFTER INSTALLING CENTER SUPPORT SERVICE. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford E-150 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023010—
2022000—
2021100—
2020000—
2019000—
2018000—
2016810—
2015810—
2014660—
2013196046.3
2012128052.9
20112313045.9
2010109054.4
20097140—
20081118049.0
20071219041.6
20061716046.5
2005164050.1
2004337153.8
2003216159.5
2002283155.1
2001374150.7
2000506153.5
1999836158.0
1998605155.7
19971026155.3
1996593161.3
1995713259.2
19941217260.5
1993714158.3
1992644364.9
1991151454.2
1990173455.5
1989Viewing312361.7
1988140248.7
1987170152.7
1986904—
1985304—
1984324—
1983111—
1982321—
1981111—
1980031—
1979051—
1978041—
1976210—

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.