RoadVitals

1989 Ford F Series

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.
2
Latest Feb 8, 2012
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 May 21, 1990
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.
1
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Ford F Series, most frequently naming the fuel system, other / unspecified and tires & wheels categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 7 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

  • Fuel system133.3%
  • Other / unspecified133.3%
  • Tires & wheels133.3%

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
90V097000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST

May 21, 1990
3,200 units potentially affected
The defect: INTERCONNECTION OF RETURN LINE PLUMBING FROM HYDROBOOST STEERING GEAR MAY CAUSE LIGHT APPLICATION OF HYDROBOOST UNIT WITHOUT APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN DRAGGING BRAKES, BRAKE FADE, ORPREMATURE WEAR AND/OR HEAT DAMAGE TO BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS, REDUCING BRAKINGEFFICIENCY WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: INSTALL REVISED RETURN LINES AND REPLACE DAMAGED BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
89V009000

STEERING:LINKAGES

Jan 24, 1989
24,454 units potentially affected
The defect: BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE FRONT AXLE TRACK BAR BRACKET TO THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER MAY LOOSEN, ALLOWING THE FRONT WHEELS TO OSCILLATE WITH FRONT END SHIMMY.
The risk: SEVERE SHIMMY COULD DAMAGE STEERING LINKAGE OR STEERINGGEAR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: INSTALL REDESIGNED FRONT AXLE TRACK BAR TO CROSSMEMBER BRACKET AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE CERTAIN STEERING COMPONENTS.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

DP94002ClosedDefect Petition

DEFECTIVE WIRING

Opened Mar 10, 1994
Closed Apr 25, 1994

DEFECTIVE WIRING

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:INTERCONNECTING ASSEMBLY(WIRING)

Recent owner complaints

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

Other / unspecifiedTires & wheels
Filed Feb 8, 2012

WHILE OPERATING IN REVERSE LESS THAT 8 MPH THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE IMPACTED A TREE LIMB AND THE TIER SIDEWALL SPLIT FROM THE TREAD TO THE RIME SEAL. DEALER ADVISES THIS WAS AN IMPACT BLOWOUT. I CAN SEE AT A SPEED GREATER THAN 8 MPH SUCH A POSSIBLE BLOWOUT BUT QUESTION SUCH A SITUATION AT SUCH A LOW SPEED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10447129
Incident
Feb 8, 2012
Mileage
120,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 22, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WOULD OVERFLOW AND SPILL OUT THROUGH THE FILLER NECK VALVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,000.

NHTSA ID
10426716
Incident
Sep 1, 2011
Mileage
194,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

99222

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT

99196

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT

98246

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RELEASED A NEW ELECTRICAL GREASE ( F8AZ - 19G208-AA ) TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF MOISTURE CORROSION AT THE TERMINALS. *YC

98217

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS

EXPERIENCING FLUID ON BRAKE SHOES AND REAR AXLE SEAL LEAK. *YC

9852

TIRES

INFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC

9848

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

ANNOUNCING THE FORD OEM AIR CONDITIONING RETROFIT KIT AVAILABILITY. *YC

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 F Series by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2008100—
2007400—
2006400—
2005900—
2004700—
2003111—
2002341142.4
2001441457.3
2000401453.6
1999360345.7
1998200132.0
1997470248.9
1996160252.6
1995160252.3
1994711—
1993511—
1992211—
1991601—
1990221—
1989Viewing221—
1988614—
1987304—
1986004—
1985012—
1984112—
1983001—
1979010—
1978030—
1977020—
1976020—
1975030—
1974020—
1973010—
1972010—
1971110—

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.