RoadVitals

1989 Ford E-250

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.
7
Latest Jun 17, 2008
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.
5
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.
2
3 injuries, 2 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Ford E-250, most frequently naming the electrical, fuel system and brakes categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 5 NHTSA investigations name it; and 5 manufacturer communications are 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

  • Electrical228.6%
  • Fuel system228.6%
  • Brakes114.3%
  • Engine114.3%
  • Interior & seats114.3%

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
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.

EA93014ClosedEngineering Analysis

ALTERNATOR BELT FAILURE

Opened Jun 4, 1993
Closed Jul 29, 1994

There is no summary currently available

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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

Fuel system
Filed Jun 17, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD E250. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVES WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT ALSO SMELLED GASOLINE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. HE CALLED THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 91V146000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILIARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES) AND WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT FORD DOES NOT KEEP ANY RECALL INFORMATION FROM THE PAST TEN YEARS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 41,000. UPDATED 07/09/08 *BF UPDATED

NHTSA ID
10231337
Incident
Apr 15, 2008
Mileage
41,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 27, 1997

SMELL OF FUEL WHILE DRIVING, FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING FUEL TO POUR OUT THROUGH FUEL FILLER CAP,COULD CAUSE FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ID
812528
Incident
May 27, 1997
Interior & seats
Filed Dec 6, 1996
Crash reported3 injuries reported2 deaths reported

SEAT TRACKS BENT IN ACCIDENT, CAUSING SEAT TO DISLODGE FROM TRACKS.

NHTSA ID
512351
Electrical
Filed Apr 24, 1996

ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SHOCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING THE HEAD LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE TO TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS TURN ON. *AK

NHTSA ID
983409
Incident
Mar 1, 1994
Electrical
Filed Apr 19, 1996
Fire reported

INTERIOR VEHICLE FIRE WHICH TOTALLY MELTED DASHBOARD, STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN. *AK

NHTSA ID
983141
Incident
Jan 12, 1995
Engine
Filed Jan 26, 1996

THE OIL PAN RUSTED FROM THE VEHICLE. TT

NHTSA ID
978264
Incident
Dec 1, 1995
Brakes
Filed Oct 4, 1995

RIGHT BRAKE CALIPER HOSE COLLAPSED, HEATING UP THE BRAKE FLUID UP, RESULTING IN THE BRAKE FAILURE, HOSE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. TT

NHTSA ID
972940

Manufacturer communications

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

985A29

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT EXCESSIVE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, IRREGULAR FRONT LINING WEAR, AND BRAKE PULL. *YC

985A38

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

FRONT CALIPER PISTON BOOTS DAMAGED. *YC

951113

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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

BC2893950401

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

UNKNOWN

95524

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THERE MAY BE A CONCERN OF POOR PERFORMANCE, COOLANT IN THE OIL AND ENGINE KNOCKING AND/OR HYDRAULIC LOCK ON SOME VEHICLES. *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-250 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023010—
2022100—
2021000—
2020000—
2019000—
2018000—
2017200—
2016100—
20147110—
20131111049.1
20128120—
20116180—
20109130—
20092190—
20086221—
20076271—
20061231160.4
20051111161.1
20048182—
2003178265.8
2002175261.4
2001183262.3
2000185263.2
1999316258.8
1998165253.0
1997244362.4
1996203048.6
1995153055.1
1994113151.4
1993731—
1992143361.2
1991815—
1990426—
1989Viewing725—
1988204—
1987023—
1986034—
1985254—
1984263—
1983061—
1982031—
1981011—
1980121—
1979141—
1978161—
1977020—
1976020—
1975050—

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.