FORD F-150 · model year

1989 FORD F-150

19 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1989FORDF-150 carries 19 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1989 F-150 is fuel/propulsion system with 5 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline (2) and visibility/wiper (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 1989 F-150, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

19
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

19 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM5
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE2
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
ENGINE1
WHEELS1
TIRES1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY1
AIR BAGS1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN1

Recent Complaints

20230403AIR BAGS

The horn doesn’t work. Everything mechanically works great. Concern is if airbag works Never worked since purchased in January 2015.

20230403ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

The horn doesn’t work. Everything mechanically works great. Concern is if airbag works Never worked since purchased in January 2015.

20200609FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

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.

Mileage: 14,427

20190402WHEELS

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.

20190402TIRES

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.

20190319ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

20190319ENGINE

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.

20190319FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

20171110FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 141,300

20160914UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

Mileage: 90,000

20160617STRUCTURE:BODY

SMALL DOOR BEHIND DRERIVEER SEAT WILLNOT OPEN

Mileage: 91,000

20150310FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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

Mileage: 155,000

20140925FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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

Mileage: 100,000

20140709ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TWO STARTERS REPLACED PREVIOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,000.

Mileage: 188,000

20121020ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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

20121020FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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

20120801FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

20120628VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MALFUNCTIONED AND AS A RESULT, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD ONLY WORK WHEN ENGAGED ON HIGH SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM SINCE THE PARTS WERE NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,200. UPDATED 08/07/12*LJ UPDATED 08/16/2012 *JS

Mileage: 101,000

20120419FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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

Mileage: 110,000

Compare 1989FORDF-150 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1989 FORD F-150 have?
The 1989 FORD F-150 has 19 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1989 FORD F-150?
The most-complained component for the 1989 FORD F-150 is FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE and VISIBILITY/WIPER.
Is the 1989 FORD F-150 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.