FaultScore

1989 Ford F150 fuel system problems

93 of the 241 complaints about the 1989 Ford F150 are about the fuel system — 39% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 115,000 miles.

F

93

Complaints

1

Crashes

4

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Selector Devices 39 41.9%
Tank Assembly 22 23.7%
Auxillary Tank 15 16.1%
Fuel System, Gasoline 5 5.4%
Filler Pipe AND CAP 3 3.2%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings 2 2.2%
Delivery 1 1.1%
Fuel Pump 1 1.1%
Fuel System, Other 1 1.1%
Storage 1 1.1%

Fuel & Propulsion across every Ford F150 year

1986 14 4.7%
1987 22 7.3%
1988 32 10.7%
1989 93 31.0%
1990 139 46.3%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 209,000 miles SAN 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 72,700 miles Rapid City, SD

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

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 miles Lake 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.

Severna Park, MD

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

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.

Clinton Township, MI

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

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 miles Provo, 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.

at 128,000 miles Derry, 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 102,000 miles Henryetta, 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.

at 150,000 miles Clinton, 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.

at 10,000 miles Fort Pierce, FL

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

THE FUEL TANK SELECTOR SWITCH WAS BURNING. PH

NHTSA complaint #10006746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Port Republic, MD

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

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.

Apple Creek, OH

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE

CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE HAS A DUEL FUEL TANK , ONE TANK IS PUMPING FUEL INTO THE OTHER, CAUSING FUEL TO OVERFLOW PAST THE FILLER CAP.DEALER CONTACTED. THIS IS A RECAL L BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED BY VIN #.

NHTSA complaint #8016397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Copper Hill, VA

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

FUEL TANK IS LEAKING RESULTING IN A SHORTAGE IN FUEL. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. THERE IS A RECALL ; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE NOT COVERED BY RECALL DUE TO VIN.

NHTSA complaint #8014016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wapato, WA

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

NHTSA RECALL91 V 146 000/MANUFACTURERS RECALL 91S39 CONCERNING FUEL TANK:AUXILLARY SELECTOR AND SWITCH: PORTION OF UNUSED FUEL FROM ONE TANK TO BE RETURNED TO SECOND TANK, WHEN OCCURRED, SECOND TANK EXCEEDED, CAUSING FUEL SPILLAGES. SPILLAGES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA complaint #8012518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Minneapolis, MN

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

91 V 146 000/FUEL TANK:AUXILLARY SELECTOR AND SWITCH: FUEL SELECTOR SWITCH WOULD NOT SWITCH OVER TO SECOND TANK, CAUSING FUEL SPILLAGES. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8012651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Akron, OH

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

VEHICLE HAS DUAL TANKS, REAR TANK IS PUMPING GASOLINE INTO FRONT TANK AND GAS IS OVERFLOWING OUT OF FUEL CAP.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE FUEL SWITCH IS TURNED ON FOR FRONT TANK, FUEL GAUGE DROPS TO ZERO, AFTER A COUPLE MINUTES, FUEL BEGINS BLOWING OUT OF FUEL TANK FILLER CAP, IT CONTINUES DOING SO UNTIL THE REAR TANK IS AGAIN SELECTED, THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME FRONT TANK IS UTILIZED, CONSUMER STATES THIS IS DESCRIBED IN RECALL 91V146, DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THE REPAIRS WOULD HAVE TO BE PAID BY THE CONSUMER, CONSUMER STATES THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED, VEHICLE WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHERE 3-4 GALLONS SPILLED AROUND THE INTERSECTION. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #8011068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hillsborouth, NJ

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

FUEL IS PUMPING FROM REAR TANK INTO FRONT TANK, THIS IS A SUBJECT OF RECALL 91S39. DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #9005601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ghent, KY

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

NHTSA RECALL 91 V 146 000/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL# 91S39/ FUEL TANK:AUXILLARY SELECTOR AND SWITCH: PROBLEM WITH FUEL LEAKING OUT OF FILLER NECK. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8005018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Phoenix, AZ

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

FUEL TANKS ARE LEAKING FUEL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT ICLUDED DUE TO VIN.

NHTSA complaint #8003788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tilden, IL

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

VECHICLE WAS MFGD. IN JAN. RECALLS START IN FEB. FORD CLAIMS THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. REAR TANK SYPHIONS TO FRONT TANK AND CAUSES BUILDUP AND OVERFILL OF GAS TO FRONT TANK CAUSING GAS TO SPUE OUT. FIRE HAZARD AND CAN'T GET FORD TO REPAIR AT THEIR COST. ONLY USE FRONT TANK NOW TO PREVENT FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #754080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Effort, PA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK

VEHICLE HAS DUAL GASOLINE TANKS. WHEN FILLING UP THE TANKS ONE TANK GOES INTO ONE TANK, AND OTHER TANKS EMPTIES INTO THE GROUND. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #898654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Momenze, IL

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

FUEL IS BEING PUMPED FROM ONE TANK TO THE OTHER, CAUSING FUEL TO SPILL WHILE DRIVING. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDE R RECALL 91V46000 DUE TO VIN.

NHTSA complaint #898606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Calvert City, KY

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

FUEL TANK TRANSFER VALVE MALFUNCTIONS ALLOWING FUEL TO GO FROM ONE TANK TO THE OTHER OVERFLOWING THROUGH FILLER CAP!!! ALSO CAUSES TRUCK TO CUT OUT/DIE SOMETIMES WHEN SWITCHING TANKS!!! FORD HAD A RECALL SEVERAL MONTHS AGO ON 1990&NEWER F SERIES TRUCKS FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS! MY TRUCK COULD CATCH FIRE JUST AS EASY AS THE NEWER ONES! PLEASE HELP!!! THANK YOU!

NHTSA complaint #753636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1989 Ford F150 problems

← Full 1989 Ford F150 report