1989 Ford F-150 Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 95about this part
- Share
- 42%of 224 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 110,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 95 complaints about the fuel system of the 1989 Ford F-150, 42% of the 224 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 110,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“Fuel started pumping out of the gas cap at a relatively high rate while driving on the freeway. When I stopped, fuel continued to pump out onto the ground until I turned off the engine. I went to loosen the gas cap to see what was going on and gas blew out onto me and on the ground (I would estimate 1-2 cups of fuel at least). This is an older vehicle- but extremely dangerous and I believe a serious safety issue. I found out from a local mechanic that Ford issued a recall on my vehicle (recall number 91s39 / case #91v146000). …”
NHTSA complaint #10639156, filed 2014-09, 100,000 miles“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. Can I get Ford motor co. …”
NHTSA complaint #10693181, filed 2015-03, 155,000 miles“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, filed 2007-03, 72,700 miles“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. Gas spilled near the hot exhaust pipe. Two fuel pumps were installed but the problem recurred. The consumer requested a refund.”
NHTSA complaint #10113322, filed 2005-03, 60,000 milesRelated recalls
- 91V146000Sep 4, 1991The 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…Covers: Ford F-150 1989, E-350 1989–1991, E-150 1989–1991 +4 more
- 89V114000Jul 14, 1989Shields on the fronts of the midship mounted fuel tanks were omitted during assembly.Covers: Ford F-150 1989, F-250 1989, F-350 1989
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 4% |
| 2024 | 6 | 3% |
| 2023 | 10 | 2% |
| 2022 | 92 | 15% |
| 2021 | 94 | 9% |
| 2020 | 14 | 2% |
| 2019 | 24 | 2% |
| 2018 | 64 | 3% |
| 2017 | 28 | 2% |
| 2016 | 95 | 5% |
| 2015 | 81 | 5% |
| 2014 | 72 | 5% |
| 2013 | 159 | 5% |
| 2012 | 119 | 7% |
| 2011 | 117 | 5% |
| 2010 | 58 | 7% |
| 2009 | 22 | 7% |
| 2008 | 27 | 7% |
| 2007 | 54 | 11% |
| 2006 | 59 | 10% |
| 2005 | 82 | 7% |
| 2004 | 74 | 4% |
| 2003 | 46 | 11% |
| 2002 | 86 | 10% |
| 2001 | 132 | 11% |
| 2000 | 152 | 14% |
| 1999 | 132 | 13% |
| 1998 | 201 | 15% |
| 1997 | 246 | 9% |
| 1996 | 53 | 16% |
| 1995 | 65 | 10% |
| 1994 | 113 | 17% |
| 1993 | 288 | 49% |
| 1992 | 245 | 52% |
| 1991 | 154 | 51% |
| 1990 | 146 | 53% |
| 1989 | 95 | 42% |
| 1988 | 28 | 20% |
| 1987 | 23 | 25% |
| 1986 | 10 | 16% |
| 1985 | 1 | 4% |
| 1984 | 1 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1989 Ford F-150
52 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsEngine cooling
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsTires
8 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1989 Ford F-150
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology