1989 Ford E-250 Problems
- Complaints
- 7filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 41,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 13 mpgcombined, 5.0L 8-cyl RWD · 11 city / 16 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Ford E-250 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1989 Ford E-250. The part named most often is electrical system, with 2 complaints (29% of the total), followed by fuel system (2) and brakes (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 41,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, 2 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 2 NHTSA investigations filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the selector devices filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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 system2 29%
- Fuel system2 29%
- Brakes1 14%
- Engine cooling1 14%
- Seats1 14%
Example complaints
Fuel system: “The contact owns a 1989 Ford e250. The contact noticed that the dual fuel tank selector valves were not working properly. The contact also smelled gasoline coming from the vehicle. He called the dealer in reference to NHTSA campaign id number 91v146000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:auxiliary tank:selector devices) and was referred to the manufacturer. The manufacturer stated that Ford does not keep any recall information from the past ten years. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 41,000. Updated 07/09/08 updated”
NHTSA complaint #10231337, filed 2008-06, 41,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
100% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 41,000 and 41,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 Ford E-250 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E250 Econoline 2WD | 4.9L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 13 | 15 | 14 | $4,800 |
| E250 Econoline 2WD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 11 | 16 | 13 | $5,150 |
| E250 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-250 1989–1991, E-350 1989–1991, E-150 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-250 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-250 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1989 Ford E-250.
Other model years of the Ford E-250
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 7 | 59,830 | 11 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 11 | 40,000 | 11 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 8 | 53,500 | 12 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 6 | 27,746 | 16 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 9 | 81,427 | 11 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 6 | 76,000 | 21 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2007 | 6 | 21,500 | 26 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 12 | 5,600 | 29 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 11 | 57,300 | 9 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 8 | 89,500 | 16 | — | 15 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 17 | 50,103 | 7 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 2002 | 17 | 40,000 | 5 | — | 14 | — | Falling |
| 2001 | 18 | 120,000 | 3 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 2000 | 18 | 43,519 | 5 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 1999 | 31 | 59,555 | 6 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 16 | 92,300 | 5 | — | 13 | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 24 | 98,500 | 4 | — | 14 | — | Stable |
| 1996 | 20 | 94,500 | 3 | — | 12 | — | Stable |
| 1995 | 15 | 115,000 | 3 | — | 12 | — | Stable |
| 1994 | 11 | 90,012 | 3 | — | 12 | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 7 | 162,792 | 3 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 14 | 25,000 | 3 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 8 | 150,000 | 1 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 7 | 41,000 | 2 | — | 13 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1989 Ford E-250 have?
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1989 Ford E-250 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Ford E-250 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 2 complaints (29% of the total), followed by fuel system with 2.
Has the 1989 Ford E-250 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-250 get?
The EPA rates the 1989 Ford E-250 (E250 Econoline 2WD, 5.0L 8-cyl) at 13 mpg combined, 11 city and 16 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-250 reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 41,000 miles and the middle half falls between 41,000 and 41,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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.