MYRModel Year Report

1989 Ford F250

○ Not enough data
1989 Ford F250
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:40:50.916Z

Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
103
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 1989

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

30% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 0 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 10 complaints 1985: 21 complaints 1985 1986: 38 complaints 1987: 38 complaints 1987 1988: 62 complaints 1989: 103 complaints 1989 103 1990: 108 complaints 2005: 0 complaints 2005 2006: 0 complaints 2007: 0 complaints 2007 2008: 0 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 0 complaints 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 10 complaints 1984 1985: 21 complaints 1985 1986: 38 complaints 1986 1987: 38 complaints 1987 1988: 62 complaints 1988 1989: 103 complaints 1989 103 1990: 108 complaints 1990 2005: 0 complaints 2005 2006: 0 complaints 2006 2007: 0 complaints 2007 2008: 0 complaints 2008
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 0 complaints 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 10 complaints 1984 1985: 21 complaints 1985 1986: 38 complaints 1986 1987: 38 complaints 1987 1988: 62 complaints 1988 1989: 103 complaints 1989 103 1990: 108 complaints 1990 2005: 0 complaints 2005 2006: 0 complaints 2006 2007: 0 complaints 2007 2008: 0 complaints 2008

1989: 103 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19811
19820
19831
198410
198521
198638
198738
198862
1989103
1990108
20050
20060
20070
20080

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

30% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH

Fuel system, gasoline

20% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing selector devices and tank assembly.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

After filling the fuel tank up, dual tanks, and filled the front, under the hood fire engine compartment. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-10-25

No summary listed for above vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-11

Electrical system

17% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing switch and ignition.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer noticed smoke coming from under hood due to wire harness dealer was contacted.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-08-05

Power train

12% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing seal and automatic transmission.

Tires

7% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt.

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1988-12-27Fuel system, gasoline88V182000 Fuel reservoir shields, that protect the reservoir from contact by the transfer case in certain frontal impacts, were not installed.

    Remedy: Install fuel reservoir protective shields.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1989-08-09Fuel system, gasoline89V114000 Shields on the fronts of the midship mounted fuel tanks were omitted during assembly.

    Remedy: Install fuel tank shields.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1990-07-17Power train90V101000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    1991-05-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-10-31 Loss of brake effectivenes
  5. I
    1991-06-20Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-10-25 Spare tire fires
  6. I
    1991-06-26Engineering analysisClosed 1991-11-01 Fuel expulsion
  7. I
    1991-10-30Engineering analysisClosed 1992-10-30 Loss of brake effectivenes
  8. R
    1991-12-20Fuel system, gasoline91V146000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    1992-06-10Service brakes, hydraulic92V026000 A revised brake lining noise insulator resulted in a decrease in the thermal insulation between the brake lining and the front brake caliper piston. This caused greater heat transfer to the caliper…

    Remedy: Add snap-in insulators that attach to each of the front brake caliper pistons. In addition, vehicles with 7.5 l engines will have insulation added to the engine compartment brake lines.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. I
    1993-06-04Engineering analysisClosed 1994-07-29 Alternator belt failure
  11. R
    1996-06-07Electrical system96V071000 The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1989 Ford F250 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 31 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: 21 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 18 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 88V182000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 89V114000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 90V101000 · Power train
  • Recall 91V146000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 92V026000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 96V071000 · Electrical system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 1989 Ford F250 reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Ford F250?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1989 Ford F250 have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.