RoadVitals

1989 Ford F-150 Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system reportsComplaints 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.
95
Latest Jun 9, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
42%
of 224 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
5
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1989 Ford F-150 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 95 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming fuel system

The 25 most recent of 95, in the owner's own words

Fuel system
Filed Jun 9, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11327986
Incident
Jun 8, 2020
Mileage
14,427 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Mar 19, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID
11189890
Incident
Feb 5, 2019
Fuel system
Filed Nov 10, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID
11045089
Incident
Nov 7, 2017
Mileage
141,300 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 10, 2015

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

NHTSA ID
10693181
Incident
Mar 1, 2015
Mileage
155,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 25, 2014

FUEL STARTED PUMPING OUT OF THE GAS CAP AT A RELATIVELY HIGH RATE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. WHEN I STOPPED, FUEL CONTINUED TO PUMP OUT ONTO THE GROUND UNTIL I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. I WENT TO LOOSEN THE GAS CAP TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON AND GAS BLEW OUT ONTO ME AND ON THE GROUND (I WOULD ESTIMATE 1-2 CUPS OF FUEL AT LEAST). THIS IS AN OLDER VEHICLE- BUT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND I BELIEVE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I FOUND OUT FROM A LOCAL MECHANIC THAT FORD ISSUED A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE (RECALL NUMBER 91S39 / CASE #91V146000). HOWEVER, FORD NEVER NOTIFIED ME OF THE RECALL AND BOTH MY LOCAL DEALER AND FORD'S NATIONAL SERVICE HOTLINE CLAIM THEY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS SAFETY RECALL AND THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE SINCE THE VEHICLE IS CONSIDERABLY OUT OF WARRANTY. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THERE ARE NO TIME LIMITS ON SAFETY RECALL REPAIRS. I AM COMPLAINING BECAUSE MY FUEL SUPPLY FAILURE FITS THE DESCRIPTION EXACTLY AS WHAT IS DESCRIBED IN THIS SAFETY RECALL AND MY VEHICLE IS CLEARLY ONE OF THE LISTED / AFFECTED VEHICLES AS STATED IN FORD'S OWN SAFETY RECALL DOCUMENTATION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10639156
Incident
Sep 24, 2014
Mileage
100,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Oct 20, 2012

I AM WONDERING IF THE DEFECTIVE SWITCH VALVE HAS BEEN REPLACED OR IF IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THERE ISN'T ONE ON THE TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10481258
Incident
Jun 14, 2011
Fuel system
Filed Aug 1, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE MAIN FUEL TANK WAS FILLED TO CAPACITY, THE FUEL WOULD NOT FLOW INTO THE AUXILIARY TANK AND INSTEAD, WOULD SPILL OUT ONTO THE GROUND. THE CONTAC T REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 91V146000 (FUEL SYSTEM: GASOLINE: STOTAGE: AUXILLIARY TANK: SELCETOR DEVICES), BUT WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,245.

NHTSA ID
10468773
Incident
May 2, 2012
Fuel system
Filed Apr 19, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING THE DUAL FULL TANKS TO CAPACITY, FUEL BEGAN TO LEAK CONTINUOUSLY OUT OF THE FILLER CAP WHEN THE FILLER CAP WAS TIGHTLY SECURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE DUAL FUEL TANK VALVE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 89V114000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: AUXILLARY TANK); HOWEVER THE RECALL EXPIRED ON JULY 10, 1999. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110.000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/31/12*LJ

NHTSA ID
10455758
Incident
Apr 18, 2012
Mileage
110,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 22, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F- 150. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT GASOLINE WAS COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE, SECONDS LATER THE CONTACT OPEN THE FILLER TUBE AND NOTICED THAT GASOLINE WAS ALSO SPILLING OUT OF THE FILLER TUBE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL FUNCTION RESERVOIR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 209000.

NHTSA ID
10357052
Incident
Sep 20, 2010
Mileage
209,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 25, 2007

FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE MALFUNCTION. RETURNS GAS TO UNUSED TANK CAUSING OVERFLOW AT FUEL TANK FILLER CAP. *JB

NHTSA ID
10197496
Incident
Jul 1, 2007
Fuel system
Filed Mar 12, 2007

DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE APPEARS TO BE FORCING EXTRA FUEL INTO FRONT TANK WHILE REAR TANK IS SELECTED CAUSING IT TO OVERFLOW AND LEAK OUT OF THE FILLER CAP. CALLED DEALER AND THEY STATE NO RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE VIN. IT IS A 1989 F-150 REGULAR CAB, LONG BOX WITH 5.8L EFI ENGINE, DUAL TANKS, MILEAGE IS ONLY 43000. *JB

NHTSA ID
10184852
Incident
Mar 12, 2007
Mileage
72,700 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 7, 2007

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT NEVER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES REGARDING THE TANK GASOLINE STORAGE SELECTOR DEVICE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 91V146000). 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 DRIVER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL, BECAUSE IT IS MORE THEN 10 YEARS OLD. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 128,000.

NHTSA ID
10181852
Incident
Feb 2, 2007
Mileage
128,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 22, 2006

RE: RECALL 91V146000, FORD MOTOR COMPANY, 1989-1991 F150 TRUCKS... NOT EXACTLY A COMPLAINT... MORE OF A "CORRECTION"... FORD SAYS THIS RECALL HAS A BEGINNING DATE OF MANUFACTURE OF MARCH 1, 1989, NOT FEBRUARY 28, 1989... (PER FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE)... *JB

NHTSA ID
10157989
Incident
May 12, 2006
Fuel system
Filed Aug 30, 2005

1989 F150 4 WD, RECALL 91S39, THIS VEHICLE IS DOING JUST WHAT THE RECALL SAYS, BUT FORD SAYS VEHICLE NOT BUILT WITHIN SPECIFIC TIME. CAN NOT USE BOTH TANKS BECAUSE VEHICLE SPURTS GASOLINE BACK AT YOU. THIS IS AND CONTINUES TO BE A DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT WE KEEP AN EYE ON, BUT FORD SEEMS TO IGNORE. PLEASE HELP GET IT FIXED UNDER THE RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10134846
Incident
Jan 1, 1999
Fuel system
Filed May 10, 2005

DT: 1989, FORD F150 WITH TWO GAS TANKS, CONTACT STATES THAT WHEN HE DRIVES THE VEHICLE ONE GASOLINE TANK OVERFLOWS INTO THE OTHER TANK. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS MODEL OF TRUCK, BUT THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10120517
Incident
Nov 1, 2004
Fuel system
Filed Mar 30, 2005

FUEL IS PUMPING TO THE FRONT/REAR OF VEHICLE. THIS IS CAUSING A LEAKAGE, AND FOR CONSUMER TO SMELL GAS FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *SC GAS SPILLED NEAR THE HOT EXHAUST PIPE. TWO FUEL PUMPS WERE INSTALLED BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REFUND. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10113322
Incident
Dec 15, 2004
Mileage
60,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 10, 2004

THE FUEL TANK ON DRIVER'S SIDE WAS GUSHING FUEL FROM THE REAR TANK TO THE FRONT TANK WHICH SPILLED OUT.*AK

NHTSA ID
10091839
Incident
Aug 27, 2004
Mileage
128,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 2, 2003

REAR FUEL TANK OVERFLOWED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *AK

NHTSA ID
10049841
Incident
Nov 1, 2003
Mileage
102,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 20, 2003

91V146000 FUEL TANK SELECTOR MALFUNCTIONED. I BOUGHT A 1989 F-150 TRUCK AND HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME TROUBLE W/ THE FUEL TRANSFERING FROM THE BACK TANK TO THE FRONT. I SAW THE RECALL AND TALKED TO THE DEALER & THEY SAID MY VIN # WASN'T ON THE SHEET. WHAT DO I DO WITH A KNOWN PROBLEM & THEY WON'T FIX IT?*AK

NHTSA ID
10033197
Incident
Jan 2, 2003
Fuel system
Filed Jun 3, 2003

WHILE FILLING UP THE GAS TANK GAS WOULD SPILL OUT OF VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10022176
Incident
Mar 12, 2003
Fuel system
Filed May 15, 2003

THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SYMPTOMS OF NHTSA RECALL 91V-146000 RELATED TO THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10019951
Incident
May 15, 2003
Fuel system
Filed Apr 7, 2003

THE VEHICLE'S GAS TANK DID NOT RETAIN FUEL. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10015247
Incident
Mar 21, 2003
Mileage
150,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 11, 2003

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL 89V114000, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10011412
Incident
Mar 11, 2003
Fuel system
Filed Feb 7, 2003

THE FUEL TANK SELECTOR SWITCH WAS BURNING. PH

NHTSA ID
10006746
Incident
Feb 1, 2001
Mileage
10,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 9, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THE DUAL FUEL TANKS ARE MALFUCNTIONING. GAS SQUIRTS FROM THE SIDE AHD THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION WISH HAS THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATES INTERMITTENTLY WNEN THE GAS CAP IS RELEASED FUEL GUSHES OUT ENOUGH TO SOAK THE HAND OR CLOTHING. THE GAS GUAGE IS ALSO ERRACTIC. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL (NHTSA RECALL ID 91V146000 MANUFACTURE ID 91S37). DEALER WAS INFORMED OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE.INFORMATION.

NHTSA ID
8020467

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.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .