1989 Ford F-350 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1989 Ford F-350, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes816.0%
- Tires & wheels714.0%
- Electrical714.0%
- Fuel system714.0%
- Engine612.0%
- Body & structure36.0%
- Suspension36.0%
- Powertrain (other)24.0%
- Steering24.0%
- Exterior lighting24.0%
- Other / unspecified24.0%
- Seat belts12.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
GREASE ON REAR BRAKE SEALS, THEY FAILED WHILE DRIVING. OIL WOULD GET ONTO BRAKES. COULD SEE OIL DRIPPING. BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP. REAR BRAKES NOT EFFECTIVE AT ALL, ESPECIALLY WHILE TOWING A TRAILER. WILL HAVE DEALER CHECK OUT SEALS. *AK
BRAKE FAILURE WHILE BEING OPERATED UNDER HOT HILLY CONDITIONS.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM PHOENIX. I WAS TRANSITIONING FROM THE 101 FREEWAY,TO THE 60 EASTBOUND. ALMOST WHERE THE CONCRETE BARRIERS COME TO A POINT AND END, MY LEFT FRONT TIRE CUT LOOSE OF IT'S TREAD. I BRIEFLY SAW THAT IT WENT TOWARDS, AND IN BETWEEN THE CONCRETE BARRIERS. THE TIRE DID NOT GO FLAT. WHEN THE TREAD LEFT, IT TORE UP THE INNER FENDER PLASTIC, BENT THE QUARTER PANEL RIGHT BEHIND THE WHEEL WELL, DESTROYED THE FOOTSTEP BOLTED ON UNDERNEATH THE DRIVERS DOOR. THE VEHICLE IS A 1989 F350 4-DOOR LONGBED 4-WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK. THIS EPISODE IS NOT THE FIRST. THE FIRST HAPPENED IN 2003. THE SECOND TIME HAPPENED TO MY 20 YR OLD SON WHILE ON HIS WAY TO SCHOOL. THAT ONE WAS THE LEFT REAR. IT RIPPED OUT BOTH SUPPORTS THAT THE BED HAS IN FRONT AND IN THE REAR OF THE WHEEL WELL. IT SMASHED THE REAR FUEL TANK FILLER TUBE, PULLED IN THE OUTSIDE DOOR TO THE "GAS" CAP,MANGLED THE PORTION OF THE BED THAT IS BEHIND THE WHEEL WELL, INSIDE AND OUT. I WAS IN IRAQ WHEN THAT HAPPENED. THEY SAID THAT I HAD THE WRONG TIRE PRESSURE ON BOTH ACCOUNTS, 1ST AND 2ND TREAD SEPARATIONS. WITH A TRUCK THAT BIG,I DON'T LET MY TIRES GET NEGLECTED FROM HAVING THE PRESSURE CHECKED ON A REGULAR BASIS,AND ADJUSTED ACCORDINGLY. I HAD MY WIFE TELL THEM THAT WAS A BUNCH OF BULL!#*^,AND I WANTED SOMETHING DONE. THEY TOLD MY WIFE THAT I HAD PEPBOYS PUT THE WRONG KIND OF TIRE ON MY TRUCK. THAT IS WHEN I FIRST STARTED TRYING TO FIND SOMETHING OUT ALONG THE LINES OF A LAWSUIT. THEY HAD PLENTY OF LAWSUITS GOING ON CONCERNING TIRES, BUT NONE WERE OF THE TIRE I HAD. I AM NOW LOOKING INTO BUYING ANOTHER BED FOR MY TRUCK BECAUSE OF WHAT COOPERS TIRES HAVE DONE TO IT. I ALSO HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW STEP TO MOUNT UNDER THE DRIVERS DOOR. THE TIRES I HAD ON MY TRUCK WERE DAKOTA FUTURA RVT,33X12.50R16.5LT. I HAVE WENT AND PURSUED ESTIMATES ON GETTING MY TRUCK FIXED. I AM LOOKING AT ABOUT 3500.00. I NOW HAVE A DIFFERENT BRAND (MANUFACTURER) MADE TIRE S NOW. *NM
CONSUMER NOTICED A 2 FEET SPLIT IN TREAD, WHICH EXPOSED THE TIRE CONSTRUCTION,NO AIR WAS LOST ,TIRE REPLACED BY FIRESTONE,COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A ROLL OVER, ACCORDING TO THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE GOODYEAR IS CONDUCTING A SILENT RECALL ON THIS TIRE. LOCAL DEALER SAYS AT IS A WORSE PROBLEM FOR TREAD SPLITS.*AK (DOT NUMBER: MDORNJHV TIRESIZE: LT23585R16)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY AT ANY SPEED. AFTER 30-45 MINUTES, IT WILL START AGAIN. MODUL RELAY SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED 9 TIMES.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
SINCE NOVEMBER 19, 2014 I HAVE BEEN NOTICING A STRONG FUEL VAPOR SMELL FROM MY TRUCK. I REALLY DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT UNTIL I GOT INTO MY TRUCK AND TURNED THE KEY TO THE ON POSITION. ALL OF A SUDDEN I NOTICED THAT MY REAR GAS TANK WAS EMPTY. I FLIPPED THE SWITCH TO THE FRONT TANK AND IT WAS OVER FULL. AFTER QUITE A PERIOD OF RESEARCHING ONLINE WHEN I HAD TIME TO, I FOUND OUT THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE. THE 91S39 RECALL LIST 1989 F350 ON IT BUT MY TRUCK DOESN'T APPARENTLY FALL UNDER THE RECALL CAUSE THE BUILD DATE IS 11/88 (NOVEMBER 1988) AND VIN AS A 1989. BUT MY RESEARCH ONLINE GAVE ME THE PART NUMBER THAT WAS RECALLED. PART# E7TA-9B263-AB. WHICH MY VALVE HAS THAT EXACT NUMBER ON IT. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND EVERYTHING IS ORIGINAL ON IT. YES THIS IS THE ORIGINAL MILEAGE. UNFORTUNATELY NO MAINTENANCE EXCEPT FOR OIL CHANGES AND TUNE UP WERE DONE. UNFORTUNATELY HE ALSO NEVER DID ANY RECALLS. MY TRUCK GOES INTO BELL FORD (602-866-1776) HERE IN PHOENIX, AZ FOR A BRAKE RECALL AND IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. THEY SAID THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR MY TRUCK. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE AND ALL YEARS WITH THIS PART NUMBER SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THIS VALVE COST ALMOST $200. IF FORD IS NOT GOING TO FIX ALL THERE TRUCKS WITH THIS VALVE ISSUE THEY SHOULD AT LEAST SEND OUT A HALF OFF COUPON SO THOSE OF US THEY DON'T WANT TO TAKE CARE OF CAN PURCHASE THE NEW UPDATED VALVE AND HAVE IT REPLACED. UNFORTUNATELY I CAN NOT POST THE PICTURE I HAVE OF MY VALVE WITH PART NUMBER IN THIS SECTION. BESIDES MY PERSONAL EMAIL LISTED I CAN BE EMAILED AT MY PLACE OF WORK AT THE CITY OF PHOENIX AT : [XXX]. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
CONSUMER STATES THE CHOKE PLATE IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GETS SO HOT, IT MELTS THE FUEL LINE AND IGNITES FUEL, BURNING THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F-350 EQUIPPED WITH AN AFTER MARKET FLEX A LITE AUXILIARY COOLING FAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS HE OPENED THE HOOD, HIS FINGERS BECAME CAUGHT IN THE BLADES DUE TO AN INADEQUATE AMOUNT OF GUARDS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE, DEEP LACERATIONS TO HIS FINGERS AND AS A RESULT, HE NO LONGER HAD ANY FEELING LEFT IN HIS FINGERS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
ALTERNATOR AND WATER PUMP ARE DESIGNED TOO FAR APART; THIS CAUSES THE BELT TO MOVE UP AND DOWN, HITTING THE AIR PUMP AND WEARING THE BELT AWAY. WHEN IT BREAKS, IT TANGLES IN OTHER BELTS, CAUSING THEM TO JUMP OFF AND SHRED THEMSELVES. VEHICLE LOSES POWER STEERING/BRAKES AND WATER PUMP. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO SUMMARY
THE DRIVER SIDE FIRE WALL BROKE LOOSE AND WOULD NOT LET THE CLUTCH SAFETY SWITCH ENGAGE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
ALMOST DAILY FRONT LEFT WHEEL SHIMMY AT 35-55 MPH. FIRST STARTED ABOUT 1991 AND OCCASIONALLY FIXED BY ALIGNMENT, WHEEL BALANCING, TIRE ROTATION, DUAL FRONT STEERING STABILIZERS, BUT RECENTLY THE PROBLEM HAS WORSENED. I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED FOR FEAR OF THE WHEEL SHIMMY OCCURING AT THE 35-55 MPH RANGE. WHEN SHIMMY STARTS I CAN TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT SLIGHTLY AND THE SHIMMY WILL GO AWAY TEMPORARILY. SHIMMY ONLY OCCURS WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT, OR WHILE TURNING TO THE LEFT. AS A SIDE NOTE THE TRUCK DOES PULL TO THE RIGHT, MAKING ME COUNTER STEER TO THE LEFT, WHICH IS TEMPTING FATE WITH THE SHIMMY.*AK
MICHELIN TIRES P235 85 R16 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CONSUMER FEELS IT MAY BE A DEFECT OF THE VEHICLE INSTEAD OF THE TIRE. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE'S REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEALS ARE LEAKING AND OIL IS FALLING ONTO ABS, REAR BRAKE LINING CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES OR LOCKUP DUE TO DIRT ACCUMULATION. *AK
THE REAR HOUSING SEAL REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN TWO YEARS, THE GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING , PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED AFTER THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED DURING A RECALL. FORD CONTINUES TO SCREW ITS CUSTOMERS AND THE GOVERNMENT BY NOT COMING UP WITH A FIX. FOR THE STEERING COLUMN TO GET SO HOT HIGH AMPS. MUST BE SENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN. IS THERE A DEFECT IN THE WIRE HARNESS? I HAVE FOUND OVER THE YEARS THAT FORD REPAIRS ARE UNRELIABLE AND LEAVE THE CUSTOMER WITH AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. *AK
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, CAUSING A COLLISION.(OHIO POLICE REPORT)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEADLIGHT SWITCH MELTED THE WIRING HARNESS. CONSUMER HAS NOTIFIED THE OWNER AND MANUFACTURER. *AK
HEADLIGHT SWITCH SHORTED FOUR TIMES, CAUSING LOSS OF VISIBILITY. *DH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRAILER DETACHED FROM VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY. (NEW JERSEY POLICE REPORT)
REAR WHEEL GREASE RETAINER SEALS FAILED SIX TIMES, CAUSING OIL TO LEAK ON REAR BRAKE SHOES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SAFETY BELTS FAILED UPON IMPACT, RESULTING IN INJURIES. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .