1989 Ford F-150 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about fuel overflowing or leaking around the dual-tank selector valve and filler area, usually after filling up. Electrical complaints, often no-start conditions and suspected ignition-switch faults, come up next, and most reports arrive on trucks with well over 100,000 miles, though rust-related fuel leaks have been reported on low-mileage examples.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Fuel overflow or leak at the dual-tank selector valve

   • 76 complaints (34%)
   • median 102,000 mi at 22.0 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2020

   Complaints describe fuel overflowing or leaking after refueling, often with fuel running out of the filler cap or spilling onto the ground when the tanks are filled to capacity. Several owners connect this to the tank selector valve, saying one tank fills while the other is in use. Some were told by the dealer or manufacturer that a related campaign had already been performed or did not cover the vehicle, so the truck went unrepaired. Reported from roughly 90,000 to 145,000 miles, most often right after filling the tanks.

   Recall 91V146000Recall 89V114000

   What to check: Fill both tanks and watch the filler neck and underside for overflow or drips, and ask whether the tank selector valve has been replaced. Check recall status by VIN, since older campaigns may have expired or been closed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “As according to Ford safety recall 91s39 and safety recall 91v146000 my truck is leaking fuel into my front tank while I only use the back tank which is due to a faulty fuel tank selector valve but my local Ford dealers wont fix the problem because either the campaign was already performed or my vehicle wasn't affected by this recall but yet the problem stated in the recall is present in my vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #11045089, filed 2017-11, 141,300 miles

   “I have a 1989 Ford f150 and the front fuel tank over flows every time I park it iv looked on the internet and found that the fuel tank selector is bad and cant bye another one so I need help with my truck the internet says it a recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #10906388, filed 2016-09, 90,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Truck will not start, suspected ignition switch

   Mentioned in 4 of 13 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the truck failing to start, sometimes after repeated starter replacements, with owners suspecting the ignition switch or related wiring. In one report the vehicle would not start even after a new battery was fitted. Several trucks were left undiagnosed, and repair outcomes varied. Mostly reported above 100,000 miles, including one no-start at about 188,000 miles.

   Recall 96V071000

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition switch or starter has been replaced, and have a mechanic check for a weak switch or parasitic draw. Test the horn and every wiper speed too, since these are on the same electrical circuits.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 1989 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the vehicle had two starters replaced previously. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 188,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10609362, filed 2014-07, 188,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 1989 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the windshield wiper motor malfunctioned and as a result, the windshield wipers would only work when engaged on high speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who verified the failure and was unable to repair the problem since the parts were no longer available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 101,000 and the current mileage was 101,200. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10463440, filed 2012-06, 101,000 miles
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Rusted fuel tank leaking at the station

   • 52 complaints (23%)
   • median 102,000 mi at 23.5 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2020

   One complaint describes a fuel leak noticed while the truck sat at a gas station, with an independent mechanic attributing it to a rusted fuel tank. The dealer was notified, but the vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired when the report was filed. Reported on a low-mileage example, around 14,000 miles, so age and sitting time rather than use appear to be the factor.

   What to check: Inspect the tanks, lines and filler area for rust and seeping, especially on trucks that have sat unused or seen road salt.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Drove home after filling fuel tanks. Parked truck in garage and smelled gas. Checked 1989 Ford f150 fuel tank and it was leaking onto the floor of the garage. Removed 1989 Ford f150 from garage to driveway to check the problem out more. Removed rear fuel tank gas cap and gas stared running out of the tank on to the driveway. Gas stopped running out after a few minutes. Could this cause my Ford f150 to catch on fire and burn my house down as the garage is under the house. I see there was a recall for this problem with 1989 Ford f150. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10693181, filed 2015-03, 155,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 1989 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after refueling the dual full tanks to capacity, fuel began to leak continuously out of the filler cap when the filler cap was tightly secured. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the dual fuel tank valve would need to be replaced. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number 89v114000 (fuel system, gasoline: storage: auxillary tank); however the recall expired on july 10, 1999. The vehicle had not been repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10455758, filed 2012-04, 110,000 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Wipers only work on high speed

   Mentioned in 4 of 13 sampled complaints

   A complaint describes the wiper motor failing so the wipers ran only on the high setting. The dealer confirmed the fault but could not repair it because parts were no longer available, and the truck stayed unrepaired. Reported around 101,000 miles.

   What to check: Cycle through every wiper speed and the delay setting, and confirm a replacement motor is available before relying on the truck in wet weather.

   An excerpt from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 1989 Ford F-150. When the contact attempted to drive the vehicle off a used car lot, it failed to start. The contact bought a new battery, but the vehicle still would not start. The contact suspected that the ignition switch was faulty and there was an oil leak. The state attorney general of oregon, where the vehicle was bought, was contacted and provided a case number. The better business bureau of oregon also took a complaint from the contact. The contact only received a refund for half of what he paid for the vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11189890, filed 2019-03

Buying note. This is an old truck, so rust and overall condition matter more than mileage. Check the fuel tanks, selector valve and filler area carefully, and confirm by VIN whether older fuel and ignition campaigns were ever completed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 13 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.