NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
19.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
218.2%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
19.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
436.4%
150,000+ miles
327.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 1995peak 9Sep 2010
NHTSA investigations into the 1989 Ford F150
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA91044Opened 30 Oct 1991Closed 30 Oct 1992SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES
===
EA91031Opened 26 Jun 1991Closed 1 Nov 1991VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
FUEL EXPULSION
PE91077Opened 23 May 1991Closed 31 Oct 1991SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES
PE91017Opened 27 Nov 1990Closed 17 Apr 1991SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FORD TRUCK INCONSISTENT VEHICLE CONTROL.
SEE CLOSE RESUME
PE90056Opened 12 Mar 1990Closed 12 Jun 1990POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
TRNSMSSION PARK GEAR FAIL
Recalls on the 1989 Ford F150
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
96V071000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
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.
Risk: THE OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP CAUSES A FUELLEAKAGE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
90V101000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE SNAP RING THAT LOCATES THE PARK GEAR ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION MAY FRACTURE.
Risk: WHEN THE GEAR IS PLACED IN PARK, THE PARK GEAR WOULD NOTENGAGE, ALLOWING THE TRUCK TO ROLL FREELY IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT PROPERLYSET. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
89V114000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK
SHIELDS ON THE FRONTS OF THE MIDSHIP MOUNTED FUEL TANKS WERE OMITTED DURING ASSEMBLY.
Risk: TRUCKS WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH 30 MPH IMPACT TEST OFFMVSS NO. 301, FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Houston, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED.
NHTSA complaint #10109107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Street, MDFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
I AM AFRAID TO FIX THE TRUCK THIS TIME BECAUSE IT COULD BURN DOWN MY HOUSE OR CAUSE A ACCIDENT. MR
NHTSA complaint #767901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Pierce, FLFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
VEHICLE HAS HAD FOUR ALTERNATORS REPLACED, AND TWICE ALTERNATOR HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WILL BE REPLACED, BUT REMEDY WAS NOT WORKING.*AKI
NHTSA complaint #8010492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Muskegon, MIFire
SUSPENSION:REAR
WHILE DRIVING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, POSSIBLE REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). NLM
NHTSA complaint #562920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brandon, FLFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
FOR OVER 20 YEARS I HAVE BEEN AN NIASE & ASE MASTER AUTO AND MASTER MEDIUM & HEAVY DUTY TRUCK MECHANIC. AS I AM SURE YOU ARE AWARE, FORD HAS A SERIOUS DESIGN PROBLEM WITH ALTERNATORS SUCH AS THE ONE USED ON THE MODEL YEAR MENTIONED IN THIS COMPLAINT. STARTING JUST AFTER MY ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER WARRANTY RAN OUT, MY ALTERNATOR CAUGHT FIRE. I WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE BEFORE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE OCCURRED. I CARRY A FIRE EXTINGUISHER ON BOARD. I REPAIRED THE FIRE DAMAGE AND REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR WITH A REBUILT UNIT. BETWEEN THEN AND NOW, I HAVE HAD THREE MORE ALTERNATOR FIRES. EACH TIME I WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE BEFORE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE RESULTED. EACH TIME I MADE REPAIRS BRINGING THE VEHICLE BACK TO OEM CONDITION AND INSTALLED ANOTHER REBUILT ALTERNATOR. TWO OF THE FOUR FIRES, I WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE WITHOUT DOUBT THAT THE FIRE STARTED INSIDE THE ALTERNATOR AND NOT IN THE WIRING HARNESS PLUG. IN ADDITION, I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS OTHER FORD ALTERNATOR FIRES. I GUESS THIS TIME WAS THE STRAW THAT BROKE THE CAMELS BACK AND COMPELLED ME TO MAKE THIS REPORT TO YOU. FORD REALLY NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND COME OUT WITH A RECALL TO RECTIFY THIS HAZARD TO MOTORISTS. AS I SAID BEFORE, I'M SURE YOU ARE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE NOT, CONTACT ANY PARTS HOUSE OR FORD MECHANIC AND I'M SURE YOU WILL GET AN EARFUL. I CAN'T IMAGINE HOW MANY BURN JOBS THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY HAS TO ABSORB NOT TO MENTION THE POOR GUY WITHOUT FULL COVERAGE. I HOPE THIS INFORMATION PROVES TO BE USEFUL TO YOU IN OBTAINING A BENEFICIAL RESOLUTION FOR THE CONSUMER. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME IF YOU DESIRE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #748627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, GAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, TRAVELING 65MPH, HEARD A LOUD BANG THAT SHOOK THE VEHICLE. PULLED OVER, COULD SEE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. OPENED THE HOOD, AND SAW THE WIRES COMING OUT OF THE ALTERNATOR WERE ON FIRE. CONTACTED THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #858376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 209,000 milesSAN Antonio, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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 NOTICED THAT GASOLINE WAS ALSO SPILLING OUT OF THE FILLER TUBE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL FUNCTION RESERVOIR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 209000.
NHTSA complaint #10357052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fruit Heights, UT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE MALFUNCTION. RETURNS GAS TO UNUSED TANK CAUSING OVERFLOW AT FUEL TANK FILLER CAP.
NHTSA complaint #10197496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 137,000 milesRahway, NJ
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:HANGER,BRACKET
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F150. ON MAY 29, 2007, THE CONTACT'S WIFE HEARD A LOUD BANG WHILE DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE DROPPED. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS LATER DIAGNOSED AS A ROTTED OUT REAR LEAF SPRING MOUNTING BRACKET. THE SPRING DROPPED APPROXIMATELY THREE INCHES AND WAS HANGING FROM THE BOLT THAT WAS PROTRUDING FROM THE FRAME. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 137,000. UPDATED 02-01-08.
NHTSA complaint #10192260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,808 milesRegister, GA
TIRES:BEAD
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F150. ON JUNE 5, 1998 A SET OF 4 NEW GOODYEAR EAGLE GT2 TIRES , SIZE M+S P255/70R15 108S WERE INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 75,808 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TWO YEARS ALL FOUR TIRES BEGAN TO SHOW VISIBLE CRACKS ABOUT 1 1/2 INCHES FROM THE RIM AROUND THE BEAD AREA OF THE TIRE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO GOODYEAR, AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS ONLY DRIVEN IN TOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,5733. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT AGAINST GOODYEAR SINCE THESE TIRES HAVE BEEN ONLY USED ABOUT 29,000 MILES AND BEGAN TO SHOW VISIBLE CRACKS TWO YEARS AFTER THEY WERE INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WANTED TO MAKE REFERENCE TO ODI 8008687 AND 10037981. IN ADDITION, DOT# WAS T277225-GCW-71MW, FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE; DO# T277223-GCW-71MW, REAR DRIVER'S SIDE; AND DOT# T277227-CGW-71MW, FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10187233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE APPEARS TO BE FORCING EXTRA FUEL INTO FRONT TANK WHILE REAR TANK IS SELECTED CAUSING IT TO OVERFLOW AND LEAK OUT OF THE FILLER CAP. CALLED DEALER AND THEY STATE NO RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE VIN. IT IS A 1989 F-150 REGULAR CAB, LONG BOX WITH 5.8L EFI ENGINE, DUAL TANKS, MILEAGE IS ONLY 43000.
NHTSA complaint #10184852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,000 milesLake Ariel, PA
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT NEVER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES REGARDING THE TANK GASOLINE STORAGE SELECTOR DEVICE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 91V146000). 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. THE DRIVER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL, BECAUSE IT IS MORE THEN 10 YEARS OLD. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 128,000.
NHTSA complaint #10181852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RE: RECALL 91V146000, FORD MOTOR COMPANY, 1989-1991 F150 TRUCKS... NOT EXACTLY A COMPLAINT... MORE OF A "CORRECTION"... FORD SAYS THIS RECALL HAS A BEGINNING DATE OF MANUFACTURE OF MARCH 1, 1989, NOT FEBRUARY 28, 1989... (PER FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE)...
NHTSA complaint #10157989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tilden, IL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK
1989 F150 4 WD, RECALL 91S39, THIS VEHICLE IS DOING JUST WHAT THE RECALL SAYS, BUT FORD SAYS VEHICLE NOT BUILT WITHIN SPECIFIC TIME. CAN NOT USE BOTH TANKS BECAUSE VEHICLE SPURTS GASOLINE BACK AT YOU. THIS IS AND CONTINUES TO BE A DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT WE KEEP AN EYE ON, BUT FORD SEEMS TO IGNORE. PLEASE HELP GET IT FIXED UNDER THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10134846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT: 1989, FORD F150 WITH TWO GAS TANKS, CONTACT STATES THAT WHEN HE DRIVES THE VEHICLE ONE GASOLINE TANK OVERFLOWS INTO THE OTHER TANK. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS MODEL OF TRUCK, BUT THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10120517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesProvo, UT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL IS PUMPING TO THE FRONT/REAR OF VEHICLE. THIS IS CAUSING A LEAKAGE, AND FOR CONSUMER TO SMELL GAS FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *SC GAS SPILLED NEAR THE HOT EXHAUST PIPE. TWO FUEL PUMPS WERE INSTALLED BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REFUND. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10113322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED.
NHTSA complaint #10109107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,000 milesDerry, NH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK
THE FUEL TANK ON DRIVER'S SIDE WAS GUSHING FUEL FROM THE REAR TANK TO THE FRONT TANK WHICH SPILLED OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10091839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 209,000 milesBrasstown, NC
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DRIVERS SEAT BACK FOLDED BACK INTO THE CLUB CAB THE LOCKING MECHINISM GAVE WAY THANK GOD NO ONE WAS HURT THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS TRYING TO GET MY COAT OUT FROM UNDER MY BACK THE TRUCK WAS NOT MOVING .
NHTSA complaint #10056901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,000 milesHenryetta, OK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
REAR FUEL TANK OVERFLOWED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.
NHTSA complaint #10049841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bristol, CT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
91V146000 FUEL TANK SELECTOR MALFUNCTIONED. I BOUGHT A 1989 F-150 TRUCK AND HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME TROUBLE W/ THE FUEL TRANSFERING FROM THE BACK TANK TO THE FRONT. I SAW THE RECALL AND TALKED TO THE DEALER & THEY SAID MY VIN # WASN'T ON THE SHEET. WHAT DO I DO WITH A KNOWN PROBLEM & THEY WON'T FIX IT?
NHTSA complaint #10033197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Parsippany, NJ
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
WHILE FILLING UP THE GAS TANK GAS WOULD SPILL OUT OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10022176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kankakee, IL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK
THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SYMPTOMS OF NHTSA RECALL 91V-146000 RELATED TO THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10019951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Casper, WY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE FUSE BOX MELTED OVER THE BATTERY CABLE, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10015810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesClinton, MD
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
THE VEHICLE'S GAS TANK DID NOT RETAIN FUEL. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10015247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ponca City, OK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL 89V114000, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10011412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONSUMER STATES THE DUAL FUEL TANKS ARE MALFUCNTIONING. GAS SQUIRTS FROM THE SIDE AHD THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION WISH HAS THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATES INTERMITTENTLY WNEN THE GAS CAP IS RELEASED FUEL GUSHES OUT ENOUGH TO SOAK THE HAND OR CLOTHING. THE GAS GUAGE IS ALSO ERRACTIC. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL (NHTSA RECALL ID 91V146000 MANUFACTURE ID 91S37). DEALER WAS INFORMED OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE.INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8020467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spartburg, SC
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
CONSUMER STATES AFTER FILLING BOTH TANKS WITH FUEL. QUARTER OF FUEL HAD SPILLED IN DRIVEWAY. CONSUMER NOTICED IT WHEN HE SMELLED GAS, AND SAW GAS DRIPPING ONTO THE PAVEMENT. CONSUMER FEELS THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. ALSO THE 4TH OF JULY WAS THE DAY BEFORE. FORD STATES VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED BASED ON THE RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8018595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.