IllustrationFUEL 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
1989 Ford F250
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all F250 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 7 of 101 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports13 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
101 reportsFAULTY 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 B…
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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 REPORTED TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM AS THE ONLY ONES TO RECALL. YES THAT IS HOW THEY DETERMINE THE VEHICLES TO RECALL, THE ONES THAT WERE REPORTED. OH AND LETS NOT LEAVE OUT SHALL WE THE ONES THAT WEREN'T REPORTED BECAUSE NO ONE WAS THE WISER OR NOT WELL VERSED IN THE REPORTING/OR FILING OF COMPLAINTS A NUMBER IM SURE WE ALL KNOW WOULD BE ASTRONOMICAL. FORD F250'S MANUFACTURED DURING THIS TIME ALL HAD SAME ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPONENT INSTALLED AND SAME MANUFACTURER. OTHER VEHICLES BY FORD USED THIS SAME COMPONENT, LOTS OF DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE REGARDING THIS ITEM AND THE DEVESTATION AND TRAGEDY CAUSED BY ITS MALFUNCTION. I REFUSE TO BE ONE OF THESE TRAGEDIES IN ORDER TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED. OTHER RECALLS FOUND FOR FORD F250'S MANUFACTURED IN 1989: FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY ATTACHMENTS FUEL TANK AUXILLARY POWER TRAIN: TRANSMISSION:AUTOMATIC:INDICATOR:LEVER:GEAR FUEL TANK: AUXILLARY SELECTOR AND SWITCH BRAKES: HYDRAULIC: SHOE AND DRUM SYSTEM: LININGS
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
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
WHEN IN LOW GEAR BRAKE FLUID WILL BOIL, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE BRAKES.*AK
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 …
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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
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
NO SUMMARY
PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 50MPH ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER, HE NOTICED THAT RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL HAD DAMAGE. FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS ATX, P25585R16, DOT VD10AXD046. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, AND FIRESTONE WAS NOTIFIED. *AK D…
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PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 50MPH ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER, HE NOTICED THAT RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL HAD DAMAGE. FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS ATX, P25585R16, DOT VD10AXD046. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, AND FIRESTONE WAS NOTIFIED. *AK DOT NUMBER IS VD10AXD046. *JB
PRIOR TO SAFETY RECALL (92S44) IN WHICH CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED, THE BRAKES ON VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED WHEN APPLIED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHCIH THEN WENT OVER AN EMBANKEMENT, THE VEHICLE WAS DECALRED TOTALED AND CONSUMER IS SEEKING A $500.00 DECDUCTIBLE FROM MANUFACTURER THAT HE INCURRED.*JB
Official recalls
696V071000 · Electrical System:ignition
Apr 25, 1996
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
92V026000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:drum:shoes/linings
Mar 3, 1992
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 PISTONS WITH THE POTENTIAL TO OVERHEAT THE BRAKE FLUID AND DIMINISH BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS DURING SEVERE BRAKING CONDITIONS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES AND INABLILITY TO HOLDVEHICLES ON A STEEP GRADE RESULTS IN INCREASED RISK OF ACCIDENT IN THE EVENT OFA SUDDEN STOP OR WHEN CONSTANT BRAKING IS NEEDED TO MANEUVER THROUGH AREAS WITHSTEEP GRADES.
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.
91V146000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank:selector Devices
Sep 4, 1991
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP CAUSES A FUELLEAKAGE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy: REPLACE THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE.
90V101000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
Jun 1, 1990
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE SNAP RING THAT LOCATES THE PARK GEAR ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION MAY FRACTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: INSTALL IMPROVED SNAP RING AND REVISED TRANSMISSION EXTENSION HOUSING.
89V114000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank
Jul 14, 1989
SHIELDS ON THE FRONTS OF THE MIDSHIP MOUNTED FUEL TANKS WERE OMITTED DURING ASSEMBLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: TRUCKS WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH 30 MPH IMPACT TEST OFFMVSS NO. 301, FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY.
Remedy: INSTALL FUEL TANK SHIELDS.
88V182000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting
Nov 18, 1988
FUEL RESERVOIR SHIELDS, THAT PROTECT THE RESERVOIR FROM CONTACT BY THE TRANSFER CASE IN CERTAIN FRONTAL IMPACTS, WERE NOT INSTALLED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL SPILLAGE IN EXCESS OF THAT PERMITTED BY FMVSS 301COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: INSTALL FUEL RESERVOIR PROTECTIVE SHIELDS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
5EA93014 · Alternator Belt Failure
Opened Jun 4, 1993 · Closed Jul 29, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
EA91044 · Loss Of Brake Effectivenes
Opened Oct 30, 1991 · Closed Oct 30, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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EA91031 · Fuel Expulsion
Opened Jun 26, 1991 · Closed Nov 1, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE91090 · Spare Tire Fires
Opened Jun 20, 1991 · Closed Oct 25, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment
There is no summary currently available
PE91077 · Loss Of Brake Effectivenes
Opened May 23, 1991 · Closed Oct 31, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available