1989 Ford F-250 Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 27%of 112 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 96,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the fuel system of the 1989 Ford F-250, 27% of the 112 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 96,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers. 3 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.
“I was driving my 1989 Ford f250 that I recently purchased on november 14th 2011 and when I got home I smelled gasoline, upon further investigation I saw fuel running out of the front fuel tank filler neck past the gas cap. I was using the rear tank at the time. I went online to see if anyone else had encountered this problem and found that there was actually a safety recall issued on this problem for this truck. …”
NHTSA complaint #10436553, filed 2011-11, 115,924 miles“Several years ago after filling the rear tank of my dual tank 1989 Ford f250, I stopped at a red light and soon noticed fuel pouring over the left rear tire. I figured it was due to a leak in the fuel filler neck and stopped using the rear tank for the next 5 or 6 years once burning out all the fuel. A few months ago I decided to get a few things fixed on the truck and asked the mechanic to see if he could isolate the leak in the rear tank. Surprisingly after doing a pressure and smoke check, he found no leak and recommended I put a few gallons in and see how the truck ran. …”
NHTSA complaint #10667822, filed 2014-12, 85,000 miles“Fuel pump continues to run after ignition switch is turned off. This causes eventually the battery to go dead. I can hear the fuel pump continue after ignition is turned off and pump changes pitch in sound when switching back and forth from front fuel tank to rear.”
NHTSA complaint #10521965, filed 2013-06, 93,807 miles“Fuel leaked out past the filler cap while driving. This was due to the defect described in the fuel tank auxiliary selector and switch recall 91v146000 but the vehicle identification number was not included. The dual fuel tank selection valve failed causing an overflow condition in one tank with overflow of fuel.”
NHTSA complaint #10097009, filed 2004-12, 55,000 miles“Fuel is being pumped out of front tank on to ground, see 91v146000 Ford can not tell me if the recall has or has not been done on this truck. Seems if the truck is over 10 years old they don't keep track or something...”
NHTSA complaint #10219091, filed 2008-02, 145,000 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-250 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-250 1989, F-150 1989, F-350 1989
- 88V182000Nov 18, 1988Fuel reservoir shields, that protect the reservoir from contact by the transfer case in certain frontal impacts, were not installed.Covers: Ford F-250 1989
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 11 | 8% |
| 2013 | 9 | 9% |
| 2012 | 20 | 8% |
| 2011 | 22 | 9% |
| 2010 | 7 | 10% |
| 2009 | 2 | 4% |
| 2008 | 6 | 3% |
| 2007 | 4 | 7% |
| 2006 | 17 | 8% |
| 2005 | 19 | 13% |
| 2004 | 19 | 12% |
| 2003 | 13 | 11% |
| 2002 | 8 | 5% |
| 2001 | 4 | 2% |
| 2000 | 8 | 2% |
| 1999 | 41 | 7% |
| 1998 | 6 | 11% |
| 1997 | 29 | 10% |
| 1996 | 15 | 9% |
| 1995 | 16 | 9% |
| 1994 | 13 | 11% |
| 1993 | 37 | 28% |
| 1992 | 32 | 27% |
| 1991 | 30 | 28% |
| 1990 | 40 | 36% |
| 1989 | 30 | 27% |
| 1988 | 11 | 18% |
| 1987 | 4 | 11% |
| 1986 | 3 | 8% |
| 1985 | 2 | 10% |
| 1984 | 1 | 10% |
Other parts of the 1989 Ford F-250
24 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsTires
8 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1989 Ford F-250
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