1989 Ford F150 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
4 safety recalls list the 1989 Ford F150, and owners have filed 210 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
4 safety recalls for the 1989 Ford F150
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Ignition (electrical system)
The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
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Selector devices (fuel system)
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.
Remedy: Replace the dual fuel tank selector valve.
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Gear position indication (prndl) (power train)
Under certain conditions, the snap ring that locates the park gear on the output shaft of the transmission may fracture.
Remedy: Install improved snap ring and revised transmission extension housing.
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Auxillary tank (fuel system)
Shields on the fronts of the midship mounted fuel tanks were omitted during assembly.
Remedy: Install fuel tank shields.
210 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1989 Ford F150 have filed 210 complaints with NHTSA; 5 describe a crash and 40 describe a fire. Reports cite 4 injuries and 1 death. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 116,501 miles. Complaints peaked in 1996 with 56 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“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 not”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 22, 2010 · Fuel system, gasoline
“Fuel tank selector valve malfunction. Returns gas to unused tank causing overflow at fuel tank filler cap. *jb”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 25, 2007 · Fuel system, gasoline
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1989 Ford F150 (F150 Pickup 2WD, F150 Pickup 4WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 11–15 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 10–14 / 12–17 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Standard Pickup Trucks |
| Engine | 6/8 cyl, 4.9/5/5.8 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 3-spd; Automatic 4-spd; Manual 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Ford F150 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Ford F150 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1955 Ford F150 | 0 | 1 |
| 1966 Ford F150 | 0 | 1 |
| 1968 Ford F150 | 0 | 1 |
| 1973 Ford F150 | 1 | 0 |
| 1975 Ford F150 | 3 | 1 |
| 1976 Ford F150 | 1 | 0 |
| 1977 Ford F150 | 5 | 3 |
| 1978 Ford F150 | 9 | 4 |
| 1979 Ford F150 | 9 | 2 |
| 1980 Ford F150 | 4 | 3 |
| 1981 Ford F150 | 3 | 2 |
| 1982 Ford F150 | 0 | 5 |
| 1983 Ford F150 | 1 | 10 |
| 1984 Ford F150 | 1 | 13 |
| 1985 Ford F150 | 1 | 28 |
| 1986 Ford F150 | 1 | 61 |
| 1987 Ford F150 | 3 | 89 |
| 1988 Ford F150 | 2 | 139 |
| 1989 Ford F150 | 4 | 210 |
| 1990 Ford F150 | 4 | 254 |
Checking a specific 1989 Ford F150
How do I know if my 1989 Ford F150 has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 4 campaigns currently list the 1989 Ford F150; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Ford dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 89V114000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Ford models
- F-15037,961 complaints
- Explorer34,566 complaints
- Escape27,430 complaints
- Fusion22,405 complaints
- Focus22,096 complaints
- Taurus18,159 complaints
- Windstar14,158 complaints
- Edge14,065 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.