Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Our database contains 224 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Ford F-150, most frequently naming the fuel system, electrical and brakes categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 5 NHTSA investigations name it; and 35 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.
When owners filed reports about this model year
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 2000 | 2 | 147 |
| Apr 2000 | 3 | 150 |
| May 2000 | 1 | 151 |
| Jun 2000 | 1 | 152 |
| Aug 2000 | 2 | 154 |
| Sep 2000 | 5 | 159 |
| Oct 2000 | 2 | 161 |
| Dec 2000 | 1 | 162 |
| Jan 2001 | 1 | 163 |
| Feb 2001 | 1 | 164 |
| Apr 2001 | 2 | 166 |
| Jun 2001 | 2 | 168 |
| Jul 2001 | 1 | 169 |
| Sep 2001 | 1 | 170 |
| Oct 2001 | 2 | 172 |
| Nov 2001 | 2 | 174 |
| Jan 2002 | 1 | 175 |
| Feb 2002 | 1 | 176 |
| Mar 2002 | 2 | 178 |
| May 2002 | 1 | 179 |
| Jun 2002 | 3 | 182 |
| Jul 2002 | 1 | 183 |
| Aug 2002 | 2 | 185 |
| Sep 2002 | 2 | 187 |
| Oct 2002 | 1 | 188 |
| Nov 2002 | 1 | 189 |
| Feb 2003 | 1 | 190 |
| Mar 2003 | 1 | 191 |
| Apr 2003 | 2 | 193 |
| May 2003 | 1 | 194 |
| Jun 2003 | 1 | 195 |
| Aug 2003 | 1 | 196 |
| Dec 2003 | 1 | 197 |
| Feb 2004 | 1 | 198 |
| Sep 2004 | 1 | 199 |
| Jan 2005 | 1 | 200 |
| Mar 2005 | 1 | 201 |
| May 2005 | 1 | 202 |
| Aug 2005 | 1 | 203 |
| May 2006 | 1 | 204 |
| Feb 2007 | 1 | 205 |
| Mar 2007 | 1 | 206 |
| Apr 2007 | 1 | 207 |
| Jun 2007 | 1 | 208 |
| Jul 2007 | 1 | 209 |
| Sep 2010 | 1 | 210 |
| Apr 2012 | 1 | 211 |
| Jun 2012 | 1 | 212 |
| Aug 2012 | 1 | 213 |
| Oct 2012 | 1 | 214 |
| Jul 2014 | 1 | 215 |
| Sep 2014 | 1 | 216 |
| Mar 2015 | 1 | 217 |
| Jun 2016 | 1 | 218 |
| Sep 2016 | 1 | 219 |
| Nov 2017 | 1 | 220 |
| Mar 2019 | 1 | 221 |
| Apr 2019 | 1 | 222 |
| Jun 2020 | 1 | 223 |
| Apr 2023 | 1 | 224 |
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
4 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.govELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES
===
FUEL EXPULSION
There is no summary currently available
LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES
There is no summary currently available
FORD TRUCK INCONSISTENT VEHICLE CONTROL.
SEE CLOSE RESUME
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The horn doesn’t work. Everything mechanically works great. Concern is if airbag works Never worked since purchased in January 2015.
TL* THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 1989 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AT STAND STILL AT A GAS STATION, WHEN SHE NOTICED A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT CALLED SUNNYVALE FORD LOCATED AT 650 E EL CAMINO REAL, SUNNYVALE, CA 94087, (408) 215-9949, WHERE THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,427.
I HAVE A LT235/75R-15 BFGOODRICH ALL TERRAIN T/A K02 C TIRE THAT HAS A HUGE BUBBLE IN THE INNER SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIRE THAT DID THIS. I DISCOVERED IT WHEN I WAS CHANGING THE OIL. THERE NEEDS TO HAVE A SAFETY RECALL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F-150. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE OFF A USED CAR LOT, IT FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY, BUT THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT SUSPECTED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAULTY AND THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK. THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF OREGON, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT, WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU OF OREGON ALSO TOOK A COMPLAINT FROM THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT ONLY RECEIVED A REFUND FOR HALF OF WHAT HE PAID FOR THE VEHICLE. THE USED VEHICLE DEALER CHARGED THE CONTACT FOR THE NUMEROUS REPAIRS WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.
AS ACCORDING TO FORD SAFETY RECALL 91S39 AND SAFETY RECALL 91V146000 MY TRUCK IS LEAKING FUEL INTO MY FRONT TANK WHILE I ONLY USE THE BACK TANK WHICH IS DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE BUT MY LOCAL FORD DEALERS WONT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE EITHER THE CAMPAIGN WAS ALREADY PERFORMED OR MY VEHICLE "WASN'T" AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL BUT YET THE PROBLEM STATED IN THE RECALL IS PRESENT IN MY VEHICLE.
I HAVE A 1989 FORD F150 AND THE FRONT FUEL TANK OVER FLOWS EVERY TIME I PARK IT IV LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK SELECTOR IS BAD AND CANT BYE ANOTHER ONE SO I NEED HELP WITH MY TRUCK THE INTERNET SAYS IT A RECALL.
SMALL DOOR BEHIND DRERIVEER SEAT WILLNOT OPEN
DROVE HOME AFTER FILLING FUEL TANKS. PARKED TRUCK IN GARAGE AND SMELLED GAS. CHECKED 1989 FORD F150 FUEL TANK AND IT WAS LEAKING ONTO THE FLOOR OF THE GARAGE. REMOVED 1989 FORD F150 FROM GARAGE TO DRIVEWAY TO CHECK THE PROBLEM OUT MORE. REMOVED REAR FUEL TANK GAS CAP AND GAS STARED RUNNING OUT OF THE TANK ON TO THE DRIVEWAY. GAS STOPPED RUNNING OUT AFTER A FEW MINUTES. COULD THIS CAUSE MY FORD F150 TO CATCH ON FIRE AND BURN MY HOUSE DOWN AS THE GARAGE IS UNDER THE HOUSE. I SEE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM WITH 1989 FORD F150. CAN I GET FORD MOTOR CO. TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE A FIRE OCCURS. NEED HELP TO GET FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU *TR
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
SUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. *TT
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION- E40D/4R100-1989-99-MAIN CONTROLS, SEPARATOR PLATES AND SEPARATOR PLATE GASKETS USAGE CHART. YD
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE SOLID PARTICLE CONTAMINANTS FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR, MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM IS NOT PROPERLY FLUSHED, FLUID IN-LINE FILTER KIT. *MJS
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS
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.
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 100 | 12 | 0 | 62.6 |
| 2024 | 183 | 10 | 0 | 68.1 |
| 2023 | 396 | 12 | 0 | 60.7 |
| 2022 | 574 | 23 | 2 | 68.2 |
| 2021 | 974 | 29 | 1 | 63.2 |
| 2020 | 709 | 11 | 1 | 64.2 |
| 2019 | 1,302 | 9 | 1 | 64.0 |
| 2018 | 2,265 | 19 | 2 | 66.3 |
| 2017 | 1,401 | 18 | 3 | 70.1 |
| 2016 | 2,010 | 14 | 4 | 67.5 |
| 2015 | 1,671 | 14 | 5 | 68.3 |
| 2014 | 1,515 | 8 | 2 | 62.6 |
| 2013 | 2,970 | 3 | 3 | 61.0 |
| 2012 | 1,776 | 4 | 4 | 58.8 |
| 2011 | 2,184 | 6 | 4 | 58.8 |
| 2010 | 842 | 1 | 0 | 42.6 |
| 2009 | 324 | 2 | 0 | 50.5 |
| 2008 | 368 | 1 | 1 | 51.0 |
| 2007 | 488 | 7 | 1 | 59.4 |
| 2006 | 585 | 14 | 2 | 63.9 |
| 2005 | 1,112 | 14 | 3 | 62.1 |
| 2004 | 2,028 | 16 | 4 | 60.6 |
| 2003 | 422 | 11 | 3 | 66.8 |
| 2002 | 821 | 10 | 3 | 66.2 |
| 2001 | 1,236 | 19 | 6 | 70.9 |
| 2000 | 1,074 | 17 | 4 | 74.6 |
| 1999 | 1,044 | 18 | 5 | 65.6 |
| 1998 | 1,381 | 18 | 11 | 65.5 |
| 1997 | 2,758 | 26 | 18 | 66.9 |
| 1996 | 324 | 7 | 2 | 67.6 |
| 1995 | 626 | 7 | 1 | 64.4 |
| 1994 | 676 | 13 | 2 | 66.4 |
| 1993 | 586 | 13 | 2 | 60.0 |
| 1992 | 470 | 9 | 8 | 67.2 |
| 1991 | 304 | 6 | 12 | 68.8 |
| 1990 | 275 | 5 | 11 | 68.3 |
| 1989Viewing | 224 | 4 | 5 | 67.8 |
| 1988 | 139 | 2 | 6 | 70.4 |
| 1987 | 91 | 3 | 2 | 71.1 |
| 1986 | 61 | 1 | 4 | 61.0 |
| 1985 | 28 | 1 | 2 | 60.8 |
| 1984 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 55.9 |
| 1983 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 59.8 |
| 1982 | 5 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1981 | 2 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1980 | 3 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 1979 | 2 | 10 | 0 | — |
| 1978 | 4 | 10 | 0 | — |
| 1977 | 3 | 6 | 0 | — |
| 1976 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1975 | 1 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 1973 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1968 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1966 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1955 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
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.