1989 Ford Econoline
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Econoline › 1989
These records cover every 1989 Ford Econoline. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1989 Ford Econoline. Newest first.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Under certain conditions, the snap ring that locates the park gear on the output shaft of the transmission may fracture.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
32 complaints4 involved a fire
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Vehicle speed control
Diffculty slowing down from highway speed, had to turn off ignition to stop vehicle. Disconnected cruise control, but this was not the problem. dealership service says it was the accelerometer cable. dt
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Van caught fire and was destroyed after being parked two hours. Fire investigators determined cause was an electrical defect in engine compartment on driver's side. Fire damaged adjacent house and nearby vehicle.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
Catalytic converter failed 3 out of 4 times. three of the four times that this problem has accurred ford has taken replace the part mostly free of charge. this time in 2001 ford will not fix the problem and tells us to bad. we fill that being a repeated problem ford motor company should in good…
Catalytic converter failed 3 out of 4 times. three of the four times that this problem has accurred ford has taken replace the part mostly free of charge. this time in 2001 ford will not fix the problem and tells us to bad. we fill that being a repeated problem ford motor company should in good faith take care of this problem completely once and for all. we would like to be reimbursed for our repair cost. we did have this problem fixed at our expense. when we went to pick up our rv wilson cornelius ford of vallejo ca when asked if we would have continuius problems told us not to use the gas when gong up hill. the also charged us for a repair and perts that were not complete and refused to refund us that amount. we have had more then enough problem with ford our rv and the service tech not doing the repairs properly. please help us..... any questions please call. *Ak
- Tires › Tread/belt
Fully treaded tire that had been mounted as a spare tire was used and lasted for 2 weeks before the tread completely separated at 55 mph. tread departed tire carcass in one peice, damaging several components in the left rear quarter of my vehicle. my wife was able to maintain control of the vehicle otherwise. I have contacted continental general tire. *ak (tiresize: p235/75r15)
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
The vehicle stalls suddenly and unexpectedly while driving in hot weather, the dealer has replaced many conponents (air and fuel filter, tfi module, vapor separator and catalytic converter)but the vehicle continues to stall. nlm
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
Consumer smelled gasoline. Started to open gas cap, and gasoline started gushing out. since then gasoline mileage has gone down. *ak *slc
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
This vehicle has a serious driveability problem (the engine stalls without warning repeatedly) and ford either does not know how or does not care to fix the problem. this has been going on for many years now and finally a judge in california IS prepared to demand a recall. now why haven't you…
This vehicle has a serious driveability problem (the engine stalls without warning repeatedly) and ford either does not know how or does not care to fix the problem. this has been going on for many years now and finally a judge in california IS prepared to demand a recall. now why haven't you already done so? IS it because not enough people have been killed yet? or haven't you received enough letters or complaints? there have been many problems that I am aware of from my subscription to motorhome magazine. I am sending you a letter in the mail with a copy of a letter to the president of ford and copies of some of the articles from motorhome magazine from people with the same vehicle type and the same serious stalling problem. I would hope you look into this most serious problem and require ford to recall these vehicles and fix the problem. the vehicle stalls without warning when you are driving at highway speed in hot weather. this problem has been known for many years now and ford IS doing nothing about it. finally a class action lawsuit may force ford to recall these vehicles. please investigate this problem and I hope you will issue a recall. thank you. greg evans
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
When consumer fills up gas tank gasoline comes out through the filler cap and falls onto the ground. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Auxillary tank › Selector devices
Consumer noticed a portion of unused fuel was returning to the front tank when the front tank was full. Also, there was a a fuel spillage which was causing a fire hazard. Consumer has contacted the dealer. Dealer noted that recall 93v125000/ fuel tank auxillary selected and switch dealt with the same problem. however, this vehicle was not under recall due to vin. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Possible engine failure resulted in engine fire (ohio traffic crash report). *mjs
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)
Gear shift indicator shows that the vehicle IS engaged in park, but the vehicle still rolls as if not completely in gear. Dlr has seen 4 times, and cant find the cause. *Ak
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
The air conditioner compressor was leaking freeon. This would cause the air conditioner to not cool vehicle once turned on. Has happened before, 2 years ago. Will be taking to dealer to check. *Ak
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
I have heard of many complaints about the air conditioner of such ford vans that they leak freon.even from a/c repair shop they said that it was very common with ford regarding this leak. I think ford should fix this to save our ozone layer from freon leak. I wish ford would fix my a/c. Thanks. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Problem reported by nhtsa campaign number 91v14600, however, ford indicated that this vehicle IS not subject to the resultant recall.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Auxillary tank › Selector devices
While driving tank switch over valve causes overflow of fuel through nozzle where gas IS poured in. Consumer notes of recall for problem, but vehicle was not included. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch · Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch · Power train › Automatic transmission · Vehicle speed control · Visibility › Power window devices and controls
When first starting vehicle defect within ignition switch will cause entire electrical system to become inoperative. This IS intermittent problem. *Ak sometimes vehicle will not shift into overdrive or will not want to shift out of first gear. Air conditoner failed. power window malfunctions. Brake light inoperable. Cruise control malfunctions. *yh
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
Catalytic converter became plugged without warning. Also engine stopped and overheated. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Auxillary tank › Selector devices
The duel fuel tank selector valve malfunctioned, causing an oveflow condition in the front fuel tank, and resulting in an overflow of fuel past the filler cap. There IS a recall on the vehicle. Owner 's vehicle was not included in the recall. manufacturer contacted. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Brake fluid overheated, causing the brakes to fail.
- Vehicle speed control
While driving, experienced intermittent surging and unintentional acceleration without pressing acclerator pedal; also, while in park engine revs up. *ak
- Seats
Seat track failure, seat became dislodged from the seat tracks and the seat tracks were deformed as a result of an impact with another vehicle. (Plum police report)
- Seat belts
Owner states that the seat belts in the captain's chair do not hold kids in place, they are able to get out of them. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Ignition switch fire.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Brakes failed four times.
- Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
While driving the front right wheel came off due to broken lug nuts. please describe.*ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Fuel expulsion
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 6090087Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems.
- 6089681Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses.
- 3055200Unknown
- 623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *Slc
- 616522Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system.
- 613350Service tip information regarding the reverse clutch piston and piston seal usage.
- 612343Vehicles may experience solid particle contaminants from prior transmission concerns or excess wear, may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system IS not properly flushed, fluid in-line filter kit. *Mjs
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 609737Transmission- e40d/4r100-1989-99-main controls, separator plates and separator plate gaskets usage chart. Yd
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 606420Ford motor company now recommends sae 5W-30 viscosity grade for servicing any ford gasoline-powered vehicle regardless of model year.
- 605721Some vehicles may develop "cavitation" erosion in the cylinder wall of the engine.
- 605599Some vehicles may exhibit a flashing transmission control indicator lamp (tcil) and diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) 62, 628, and / or 1728 may be stored in memory.
- 604059Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( F8AZ - 19g208-aa ) to reduce the possibility of moisture corrosion at the terminals.
- 601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system.
- 601290Information on tire company telephone numbers for customer assistance.
- 601280Some vehicles may exhibit a flashing transmission control indicator lamp (tcil) and diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) 62,628, and/or 1728.
- 601269Announcing the ford oem air conditioning retrofit kit availability.
- 601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart.
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 51691Accessory drive belts- fead belt comes off- vehicles with 4.9L engine.
- 51689Frame- rivet replacement with bolts- service tips.
- 50997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip.
- 50940Windshield and interior glass - fog/film.
- 50908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip.
- 50905Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements.
- 45085Revised design transmission rear case bushing.
- 41029Knocking noise on initial start-up.
- 41012Some vehicles may exhibit a lack of power or a no start condition due to an exhaust restriction.
- 39913New design transmission range sensor.
- 39222New torque-to-yield cylinder head bolt kit.
- 39208No start condition caused by plugged catalytic converter.
- 39190Service procedure for catalytic converter restriction issues - procedure requires the use of new ecm, iac valve and expansion chamber.
- 39125Vehicles may exhibit a shift concern.
- 37765Upgrade kit for the E40D transmission.
- 37762Brakes - calipers - front caliper piston boots damaged.
- 37741Transmission overheating, converter cover discoloration, clutches burned and burnt fluid
Every Ford Econoline model year
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