FORD F250 · model year

1989 FORD F250

127 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1989FORDF250 carries 127 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 17 fires, 1 injury, 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 F250 is fuel system, gasoline:storage:auxillary tank:selector devices with 12 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (11) and service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components (6). 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 177 investigation files overlapping the 1989 F250, and 8 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.

127
Complaints
4
Crashes
17
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

127 filings

Crashes Reported

4 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 SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES12
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP11
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH6
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH5
TIRES:TREAD/BELT5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER4
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE4
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS3

Recent Complaints

20100111FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F250 PICKUP TRUCK. HE NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE; ALTHOUGH, THERE WERE SEVERAL RECALLS RELATED TO THE FUEL SYSTEM, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 89V114000, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE STORAGE AUXILIARY TANK, 91V146000, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE STORAGE, AUXILIARY TANK SELECTOR DEVICES AND 88V182000, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE STORAGE, TANK ASSEMBLY MOUNTING . NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER ASSUMED NO LIABILITY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER UNDER 95,000. THE VIN WAS NOT ACCEPTED IN THE SYSTEM.

Mileage: 95,000

20090225FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL COMING FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND OBSERVED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE AUXILIARY TANK. IMMEDIATELY, THE FUEL TANK CAP WAS REMOVED AND FUEL SPRAYED OUT OF THE TANK ONTO HIS CLOTHING. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES SUSTAINED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE MAIN FUEL TANK FAILED IN THE SAME MANNER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 91V146000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,STORAGE;AUXILIARY TANK;SELECTOR DEVICES). THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 105,000. UPDATED 03/18/09. *JB

Mileage: 98,000

20080225FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES

FUEL IS BEING PUMPED OUT OF FRONT TANK ON TO GROUND, SEE 91V146000 FORD CAN NOT TELL ME IF THE RECALL HAS OR HAS NOT BEEN DONE ON THIS TRUCK. SEEMS IF THE TRUCK IS OVER 10 YEARS OLD THEY DON'T KEEP TRACK OR SOMETHING... *TR

Mileage: 145,000

20080225FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

FUEL IS BEING PUMPED OUT OF FRONT TANK ON TO GROUND, SEE 91V146000 FORD CAN NOT TELL ME IF THE RECALL HAS OR HAS NOT BEEN DONE ON THIS TRUCK. SEEMS IF THE TRUCK IS OVER 10 YEARS OLD THEY DON'T KEEP TRACK OR SOMETHING... *TR

Mileage: 145,000

20060519TIRES:TREAD/BELT

WE (UNKNOWINGLY) BOUGHT $200 EACH, 10 PLY COOPER TIRES FROM DISCOUNT TIRE LESS THAN 2 YEARS AGO. THESE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE WEIGHT OF OUR TRUCK AND CAMPER. IN OCTOBER OF 2005, THE TREAD CAME COMPLETELY OFF OF ONE OF THE REAR TIRES AND DAMAGED ONE SIDE OF THE TRUCK AND PART OF THE CAB OVER CAMPER. THEN THIS PAST WEEKEND, THE SAME THING HAPPENED, THE TREAD COMPLETELY CAME OFF, REALLY DAMAGED THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRUCK AND ALSO PARTIALLY DAMAGED THE BOAT WE WERE TOWING. THE TIRES BOTH TIMES WERE STILL HOLDING AIR, JUST THREW THE TREAD. MY HUSBAND ACTUALLY WENT AND RETRIEVED THE TREAD FROM THE HIGHWAY THIS LATEST TIME. DISCOUNT TIRE WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIRE, BECAUSE OF THE WARRANTY, BUT THAT DOES NOT SOLVE THE DANGER OR THE DAMAGES THESE TIRES ARE CAUSING. THE SAME NIGHT AS THIS HAPPENED, ABC 15 NEWS SHOWED A STORY THAT THIS IS HAPPENING ALL OVER WITH COOPER TIRES, AND SHOWED US HOW TO IDENTIFY THAT WE HAD SOME OF THESE TIRES THAT ARE THROWING THEIR TREAD. OU

20051215FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 91V146000 CONCERNING THE AUXILIARY TANK DEVICES. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK UPDATED 02/28/06.

Mileage: 100,000

20050617FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. BY THE TIME IT COULD BE SAFELY PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IT WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS.

Mileage: 239,000

20041018FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES

FUEL LEAKED OUT PAST THE FILLER CAP WHILE DRIVING. THIS WAS DUE TO THE DEFECT DESCRIBED IN THE FUEL TANK AUXILIARY SELECTOR AND SWITCH RECALL 91V146000 BUT THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *JB THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTION VALVE FAILED CAUSING AN OVERFLOW CONDITION IN ONE TANK WITH OVERFLOW OF FUEL. *SC

Mileage: 55,000

20031113ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR OF A TIRE. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO MOLE INFESTATION.*AK WHEN THE BRAKE FUSE BLEW, THE RELEASE MECHANISM FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL DIDN'T WORK. AS A RESULT, WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE RACED FORCING THE CONSUMER TO GO OFF ROAD TO AVOID A ACCIDENT. AT THIS TIME THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS CANCELLED BY HITTING THE OFF BUTTON. *PH *NM

20031113SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR OF A TIRE. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO MOLE INFESTATION.*AK WHEN THE BRAKE FUSE BLEW, THE RELEASE MECHANISM FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL DIDN'T WORK. AS A RESULT, WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE RACED FORCING THE CONSUMER TO GO OFF ROAD TO AVOID A ACCIDENT. AT THIS TIME THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS CANCELLED BY HITTING THE OFF BUTTON. *PH *NM

20031113SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR OF A TIRE. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO MOLE INFESTATION.*AK WHEN THE BRAKE FUSE BLEW, THE RELEASE MECHANISM FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL DIDN'T WORK. AS A RESULT, WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE RACED FORCING THE CONSUMER TO GO OFF ROAD TO AVOID A ACCIDENT. AT THIS TIME THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS CANCELLED BY HITTING THE OFF BUTTON. *PH *NM

20031014FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES

FUEL TANK SELECTOR AND SWITCH EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 91V146000; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

20030805FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD DUE TO WIRE HARNESS DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK

20030111FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES

FUEL TANK AUXILIARY SELECTOR SWITCH PROBLEM, OVERFLOW FROM ONE TANK TO THE OTHER, RESULTING OF OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP. SAME AS NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 91V146000. HOWEVER MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED SLIGHTLY BEFORE THE EARLIEST CUTOFF DATE OF 2/1989. TS

20021213ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

FAULTY IGNITION COMPONENT PRIMARILY USED IN ALL MAKES AND MODELS OF VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD FROM 1986-2000+. CAN CAUSE FIRE, HAS BEEN LISTED AS A RECALL BUT ONLY FOR SPECIFIC VIN NUMBERS. SAME COMPONENT, SAME MANUFACTURER, SAME INSTALLATION, SAME PROBLEMS FOR ALL VEHICLES MAY, HAVE OR CAN ARISE IT IS NOT VEHICLE SPECIFIC BUT COMPONENT SPECIFIC. IF SAME COMPONENTS WERE USED ON ALL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED DURING THIS TIME, THEN ALL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED ARE AT RISK OF HAVING THE SAME MALFUNCTION. THE COMPONENT CAN NOT DETERMINE WHICH VEHICLE SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT HAVE FIRE OR SAFETY ISSUES. IT DOESN'T TAKE A ROCKET SCIENTIST TO FIGURE THIS OUT. NOR SHOULD IT TAKE EVEN ONE TRAGEDY TO MAKE THIS A PRIORITY FOR REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT. I DON'T THINK ANYONE SHOULD HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT OPERATING A VEHICLE THAT HAS THE POSIBILITY OF BECOMING A FIRE HAZARD. FAULTY COMPONENT NOT FAULTY VEHICLE. OH AND FAULTY MANUFACTURER AS THEY CAN'T SEE THE OBVIOUS BUT CAN ONLY SEE THE TYPES OF VEHICLES REPORT

Mileage: 140,000

20020911FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

20020530TIRES:TREAD/BELT

WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 75MPH ON THE HIGHWAY CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER , THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL. GOODYEAR PATHFINDER NT TIRE 16 INCH (DOT UNKNOWN). *JB THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. *TT

20020509SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN IN LOW GEAR BRAKE FLUID WILL BOIL, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE BRAKES.*AK

20020319FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES

RECALL 91 V 146 000/AUXILLARY SELECTOR AND SWITCH:PORTION OF UNUSED FUEL FROM ONE TANK TO BE RETURNED TO SECOND TANK. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, SECOND TANK EXCEEDED, CAUSING FUEL SPILLAGES. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

20020308POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

VEHICLE WAS LEFT IN PARK WITH ENGINE RUNNING AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS. LEVER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN PARK. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Compare 1989FORDF250 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1989 FORD F250 have?
The 1989 FORD F250 has 127 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 17 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1989 FORD F250?
The most-complained component for the 1989 FORD F250 is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES with 12 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS.
Is the 1989 FORD F250 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.