1989 Ford E-150 Problems
- Complaints
- 31filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 94,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 13 mpgcombined, 4.9L 6-cyl RWD · 12 city / 14 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Ford E-150 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 1989 Ford E-150. The part named most often is electrical system, with 11 complaints (35% of the total), followed by fuel system (8) and engine cooling (5). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 94,000 miles. Of all complaints, 6 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the selector devices filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system11 35%
- Fuel system8 26%
- Engine cooling5 16%
- Tires2 6.5%
- Brakes1 3.2%
- Engine1 3.2%
- Equipment1 3.2%
- Other or unknown1 3.2%
- Seat belts1 3.2%
Also reported: Steering (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “The air conditioning blower motor switch was melted I replaced it and it melted after 4000 miles. I went to a salvage yard and they were all melted in the hi position. When on hi the wiring get so hot you cannot hold the wires”
NHTSA complaint #729257, filed 2000-08Fuel system: “Nhtsa campaign id# 91v146000 refers to a safety recall for a faulty dual fuel tank selector valve in Ford econoline vans equipped with dual fuel tanks built between 1989 and 1991 and other similar models . I have contacted Ford to investigate , but there are no records that confirm or disaffirm my vehicle's inclusion in this recall. Basically, I don't know if my van was affected by this recall and if any recall services were performed. I am experiencing a fault in the dual fuel tank system. …”
NHTSA complaint #10232970, filed 2008-07, 94,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 61,000 and 138,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 Ford E-150 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E150 Club Wagon RWD | 4.9L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
| E150 Club Wagon RWD | 4.9L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 12 | 14 | 13 | $5,150 |
| E150 Club Wagon RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 16 | 13 | $5,150 |
| E150 Club Wagon RWD | 5.8L 8-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 10 | 12 | 11 | $6,100 |
| E150 Econoline 2WD | 4.9L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| E150 Econoline 2WD | 4.9L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 13 | 15 | 14 | $4,800 |
| E150 Econoline 2WD | 4.9L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,800 |
| E150 Econoline 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 12 | 16 | 13 | $5,150 |
| E150 Econoline 2WD | 5.8L 8-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 10 | 12 | 11 | $6,100 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 91V146000Sep 4, 1991Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Auxillary tank › Selector devicesCovers: Ford E-150 1989–1991, E-350 1989–1991, Econoline 1989–1991 +4 more
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.
- 90V101000Jun 1, 1990Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)Covers: Ford E-150 1989–1990, F-150 1989–1990, F-250 1989–1990 +4 more
Under certain conditions, the snap ring that locates the park gear on the output shaft of the transmission may fracture.
Recall details for the 1989 Ford E-150 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA91044Loss of brake effectivenesClosed · Oct 30, 1991
- EA91031Fuel expulsionClosed · Jun 26, 1991
- PE91077Loss of brake effectivenesClosed · May 23, 1991
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1989 Ford E-150.
Other model years of the Ford E-150
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 8 | 6,500 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 8 | 18,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2014 | 6 | 16,738 | 6 | — | 14 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 19 | 82,800 | 6 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 2012 | 12 | 60,000 | 8 | — | 14 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 23 | 37,500 | 11 | — | 14 | — | Falling |
| 2010 | 10 | 42,500 | 7 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 7 | 83,000 | 12 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 11 | 66,325 | 17 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2007 | 12 | 49,000 | 18 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 17 | 44,373 | 14 | — | 15 | — | Stable |
| 2005 | 16 | 52,879 | 2 | — | 15 | — | Rising |
| 2004 | 33 | 65,000 | 5 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2003 | 21 | 16,354 | 5 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 2002 | 28 | 86,000 | 3 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2001 | 37 | 73,000 | 4 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 50 | 104,602 | 6 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1999 | 83 | 96,000 | 6 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 60 | 89,146 | 5 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 102 | 103,000 | 6 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 59 | 120,000 | 3 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 71 | 95,000 | 3 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1994 | 121 | 129,500 | 7 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1993 | 71 | 135,000 | 4 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1992 | 64 | 100,000 | 4 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 15 | 75,000 | 1 | — | 13 | — | Stable |
| 1990 | 17 | 126,000 | 3 | — | 13 | — | Falling |
| 1989 | 31 | 94,000 | 2 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1988 | 14 | — | 0 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 17 | 70,000 | 0 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 1986 | 9 | — | 0 | — | 14 | — | Not enough data |
All Ford E-150 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1989 Ford E-150 have?
NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 1989 Ford E-150 as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Ford E-150 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 11 complaints (35% of the total), followed by fuel system with 8.
Has the 1989 Ford E-150 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1989 Ford E-150 get?
The EPA rates the 1989 Ford E-150 (E150 Club Wagon, 4.9L 6-cyl) at 13 mpg combined, 12 city and 14 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1989 Ford E-150 reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 94,000 miles and the middle half falls between 61,000 and 138,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.