Defect
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
1989 Ford F-250 Recalls
Recalls on record Updated July 2026
The 1989 Ford F-250 has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 8,831,300 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 141 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
Defect
A REVISED BRAKE LINING NOISE INSULATOR RESULTED IN A DECREASE IN THE THERMAL INSULATION BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINING AND THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER PISTON. THIS CAUSED GREATER HEAT TRANSFER TO THE CALIPER PISTONS WITH THE POTENTIAL TO OVERHEAT THE BRAKE FLUID AND DIMINISH BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS DURING SEVERE BRAKING CONDITIONS.
Consequence
INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES AND INABLILITY TO HOLDVEHICLES ON A STEEP GRADE RESULTS IN INCREASED RISK OF ACCIDENT IN THE EVENT OFA SUDDEN STOP OR WHEN CONSTANT BRAKING IS NEEDED TO MANEUVER THROUGH AREAS WITHSTEEP GRADES.
Remedy
ADD SNAP-IN INSULATORS THAT ATTACH TO EACH OF THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER PISTONS. IN ADDITION, VEHICLES WITH 7.5 L ENGINES WILL HAVE INSULATION ADDED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BRAKE LINES.
Defect
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.
Consequence
THE OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP CAUSES A FUELLEAKAGE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy
REPLACE THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE.
Defect
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE SNAP RING THAT LOCATES THE PARK GEAR ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION MAY FRACTURE.
Consequence
WHEN THE GEAR IS PLACED IN PARK, THE PARK GEAR WOULD NOTENGAGE, ALLOWING THE TRUCK TO ROLL FREELY IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT PROPERLYSET. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
INSTALL IMPROVED SNAP RING AND REVISED TRANSMISSION EXTENSION HOUSING.
Defect
SHIELDS ON THE FRONTS OF THE MIDSHIP MOUNTED FUEL TANKS WERE OMITTED DURING ASSEMBLY.
Consequence
TRUCKS WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH 30 MPH IMPACT TEST OFFMVSS NO. 301, FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY.
Remedy
INSTALL FUEL TANK SHIELDS.
Defect
FUEL RESERVOIR SHIELDS, THAT PROTECT THE RESERVOIR FROM CONTACT BY THE TRANSFER CASE IN CERTAIN FRONTAL IMPACTS, WERE NOT INSTALLED.
Consequence
FUEL SPILLAGE IN EXCESS OF THAT PERMITTED BY FMVSS 301COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
INSTALL FUEL RESERVOIR PROTECTIVE SHIELDS.
Complaints by component
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
1crashes
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
2fires
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
5fires
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1fires
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2fires
Total complaints141
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“The intent of reporting this issue is to stress the importance of older vehicles (past the 15 year mark) having record and status of safety recalls. It is just as vital for older vehicles to have record as it is for newer vehicles. Everyone wants safe vehicles out on the road. As my vin indicates,…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1989 ford f-250. While driving approximately 10 mph, one of the fuel tanks overflowed without warning and caused fuel to leak from the filled tube. The contact called shults ford lincoln at [REDACTED] (located at 10401 perry hwy, wexford, pa 15090) and was informed that…”
“My primary fuel tank overflows after filling secondary tank. I have read there was a recall on this type of issue for this truck.”
“Driving along no indication of any problem and engine stopped. Tried starting several times and noticed ignition switch seemed very stiff and would not fire off starter, lights worked, door bell worked, no ignition. Inspected engine compartment and did not notice anything unusual, battery cables…”
“Driving along no indication of any problem and engine stopped. Tried starting several times and noticed ignition switch seemed very stiff and would not fire off starter, lights worked, door bell worked, no ignition. Inspected engine compartment and did not notice anything unusual, battery cables…”
“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. *tr”
“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. *tr”
“While at an intersection waiting for traffic to clear so I could pull on to the highway, I smelled gas. I looked in my side mirror and saw gasoline gushing out of my front fuel tank. It was obviously under pressure but the fuel door fortunately kept it from spraying across the road. I appear to…”
Defect investigations
Investigation EA91031 Opened 1991-06-26 · closed 1991-11-01
FUEL EXPULSION
There is no summary currently available
Investigation EA91044 Opened 1991-10-30 · closed 1992-10-30
LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES
===
Investigation EA93014 Opened 1993-06-04 · closed 1994-07-29
ALTERNATOR BELT FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
Investigation PE91077 Opened 1991-05-23 · closed 1991-10-31
LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES
There is no summary currently available
Investigation PE91090 Opened 1991-06-20 · closed 1991-10-25
SPARE TIRE FIRES
There is no summary currently available
Sources & methodology
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1989 Ford F-250 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.