1989 Ford F350
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1989 Ford F350. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
5 recalls name the 1989 Ford F350. Newest first.
The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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.
Shields on the fronts of the midship mounted fuel tanks were omitted during assembly.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Trucks would not comply with 30 mph impact test offmvss no. 301, fuel system integrity.
Remedy
Install fuel tank shields.
Owner complaints
42 complaints2 involved a crash4 involved a fire3 injuries1 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Fuel system, gasoline
Since november 19, 2014 I have been noticing a strong fuel vapor smell from my truck. I really didn't think anything of it until I got into my truck and turned the key to the on position. All of a sudden I noticed that my rear gas tank was empty. I flipped the switch to the front tank and it was…
Since november 19, 2014 I have been noticing a strong fuel vapor smell from my truck. I really didn't think anything of it until I got into my truck and turned the key to the on position. All of a sudden I noticed that my rear gas tank was empty. I flipped the switch to the front tank and it was over full. After quite a period of researching online when I had time to, I found out that there had been a recall on the dual fuel tank selector valve. The 91s39 recall list 1989 F350 on it but my truck doesn't apparently fall under the recall cause the build date IS 11/88 (november 1988) and vin as a 1989. But my research online gave me the part number that was recalled. Part# e7ta-9b263-ab. Which my valve has that exact number on it. I bought this truck from the original owner and everything IS original on it. Yes this IS the original mileage. Unfortunately no maintenance except for oil changes and tune up were done. Unfortunately he also never did any recalls. My truck goes into bell ford (602-866-1776) here in phoenix, az for a brake recall and ignition switch recall. They said the dual fuel tank selector valve was not a recall for my truck. This IS a major issue and all years with this part number should have been included in the recall. This valve cost almost $200. If ford IS not going to fix all there trucks with this valve issue they should at least send out a half off coupon so those of us they don't want to take care of can purchase the new updated valve and have it replaced. Unfortunately I can not post the picture I have of my valve with part number in this section. Besides my personal email listed I can be emailed at my place of work at the city of phoenix at : [xxx]. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6). *tr
- Engine
TL* the contact owns a 1989 ford F-350 equipped with an after market flex a lite auxiliary cooling fan. The contact stated that as he opened the hood, his fingers became caught in the blades due to an inadequate amount of guards. The contact sustained severe, deep lacerations to his fingers and as…
TL* the contact owns a 1989 ford F-350 equipped with an after market flex a lite auxiliary cooling fan. The contact stated that as he opened the hood, his fingers became caught in the blades due to an inadequate amount of guards. The contact sustained severe, deep lacerations to his fingers and as a result, he no longer had any feeling left in his fingers. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. The vin was unavailable.
- Tires › Tread/belt
I was returning home from phoenix. I was transitioning from the 101 freeway,to the 60 eastbound. almost where the concrete barriers come to a point and end, my left front tire cut loose of it's tread. I briefly saw that it went towards, and in between the concrete barriers. the tire did not go…
I was returning home from phoenix. I was transitioning from the 101 freeway,to the 60 eastbound. almost where the concrete barriers come to a point and end, my left front tire cut loose of it's tread. I briefly saw that it went towards, and in between the concrete barriers. the tire did not go flat. when the tread left, it tore up the inner fender plastic, bent the quarter panel right behind the wheel well, destroyed the footstep bolted on underneath the drivers door. the vehicle IS a 1989 F350 4-door longbed 4-wheel drive truck. this episode IS not the first. the first happened in 2003. the second time happened to my 20 yr old son while on his way to school. that one was the left rear. it ripped out both supports that the bed has in front and in the rear of the wheel well. it smashed the rear fuel tank filler tube, pulled in the outside door to the "gas" cap,mangled the portion of the bed that IS behind the wheel well, inside and out. I was in iraq when that happened. they said that I had the wrong tire pressure on both accounts, 1ST and 2ND tread separations. with a truck that big,i don't let my tires get neglected from having the pressure checked on a regular basis,and adjusted accordingly. I had my wife tell them that was a bunch of bull!#*^,and I wanted something done. they told my wife that I had pepboys put the wrong kind of tire on my truck. that IS when I first started trying to find something out along the lines of a lawsuit. they had plenty of lawsuits going on concerning tires, but none were of the tire I had. I am now looking into buying another bed for my truck because of what coopers tires have done to it. I also have to purchase a new step to mount under the drivers door. the tires I had on my truck were dakota futura rvt,33x12.50r16.5lt. I have went and pursued estimates on getting my truck fixed. I am looking at about 3500.00. I now have a different brand (manufacturer) made tire s now. *nm
- Fuel system, gasoline › Carburetor system
Consumer states the choke plate in the intake manifold gets so hot, it melts the fuel line and ignites fuel, burning the engine compartment.
- Suspension
Almost daily front left wheel shimmy at 35-55 mph. First started about 1991 and occasionally fixed by alignment, wheel balancing, tire rotation, dual front steering stabilizers, but recently the problem has worsened. I am unable to drive the vehicle at highway speed for fear of the wheel shimmy…
Almost daily front left wheel shimmy at 35-55 mph. First started about 1991 and occasionally fixed by alignment, wheel balancing, tire rotation, dual front steering stabilizers, but recently the problem has worsened. I am unable to drive the vehicle at highway speed for fear of the wheel shimmy occuring at the 35-55 mph range. When shimmy starts I can turn the steering wheel to the right slightly and the shimmy will go away temporarily. Shimmy only occurs while driving straight, or while turning to the left. As a side note the truck does pull to the right, making me counter steer to the left, which IS tempting fate with the shimmy.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
No summary listed for above vehicle. *Ak
- Tires › Tread/belt
Consumer noticed a 2 feet split in tread, which exposed the tire construction,no air was lost ,tire replaced by firestone,could have resulted in a roll over, according to the berkshire eagle goodyear IS conducting a silent recall on this tire. Local dealer says at IS a worse problem for tread splits.*ak (dot number: mdornjhv tiresize: lt23585r16)
- Electrical system › Ignition · Electrical system › Starter assembly › Relay
Vehicle stalls intermittently at any speed. after 30-45 minutes, it will start again. Modul relay switch has been replaced 9 times.*ak
- Tires › Tread/belt
Large area of tread seperation a road contact surface area. *ak (tiresize: 235-85-r16)( dot number: tire size: 235-85-r16 )
- Tires › Tread/belt
Michelin tires P235 85 R16 experienced tread separation, consumer feels it may be a defect of the vehicle instead of the tire. *slc
- Tires › Tread/belt
Pe00020- steel tex R4S, replacement tires on a ford F350 1989. While driving 55 mph on the highway tread separated on the dual inner tire. *ak
- Tires › Tread/belt
This IS a fire (attack) truck owned by regional fire & rescue in pinal county arizona. on two occasions, we sufferred two tire separations with firestone steeltex a/t radial tires. the first was july 6, 2000 when traveling at high speed, while enroute to a fire call on interstate-8 south of casa…
This IS a fire (attack) truck owned by regional fire & rescue in pinal county arizona. on two occasions, we sufferred two tire separations with firestone steeltex a/t radial tires. the first was july 6, 2000 when traveling at high speed, while enroute to a fire call on interstate-8 south of casa grande, az., on the left rear tire. the second separation ocurred one month later, on the front right tire, again at high speed, again on interstate-8 south of casa grande, az., on the early afternoon of august 16TH 2000. low tire inflation was not a factor due to the continuous tire pressure checks made by firefighter during morning apparatus checks on monday, wednesday and friday of every week. we replaced the remaining two tires due to the circumstances. due to the potential for further vehicle damage, employee injury or loss of life. we shipped the last tire which separated, and pictures, claim forms, etc., to bfts in nashville tennessee for their inspection. this was too ironic - having two tires separate, one front, one rear without any apparent cause. thank you. chief steven kerber. *ak( dot number: vdorrab208 tire size: p23575r16 )
- Electrical system › Ignition
Thanks; I need help: I am driving along and the engine just stops. I am at a stop light and when I take off I only go a few yards, and the engine stops.i am at a stop sign, and the engine just stops. I have been towed 3 times in the last 3 months by aaa. I wait a while most of the time and the…
Thanks; I need help: I am driving along and the engine just stops. I am at a stop light and when I take off I only go a few yards, and the engine stops.i am at a stop sign, and the engine just stops. I have been towed 3 times in the last 3 months by aaa. I wait a while most of the time and the engine will start again after about 30 minutes.my wife IS 70 years and I am 67. And we are too old for things like this to put with things like this. We are afraid to leave town now. I have taken the truck to a ford dealer,pet boy's,and a auto repair shop. They all want to do a lot of things and one had a bill for over $800.00. Now I found out on the news it probably IS the tfi modules.that IS in a law suit.i have spent over $500.00 already. Every place said it IS something else.we are retired and on a fixed income and this IS costing too much. I need help. Thanks kenneth connor
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
In researching problem on the internet I found a number of newspaper articles indiciating ntsa had reopened their investigation into this problem. could not locate any data on your site. any status on problem or recall??
- Suspension › Front › Macpherson strut
Fuel spills out of vehicle, very dangerous. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
This problem happened after the ignition switch was replaced during a recall. ford continues to screw its customers and the government by not coming up with a fix. For the steering column to get so hot high amps. Must be sent to the steering column. IS there a defect in the wire harness? I have found over the years that ford repairs are unreliable and leave the customer with an unsafe vehicle. *ak
- Tires › Temporary/emergency spare tire
I was east bound on interstate 8 east of alpine, ca pulling a trailer up a 6% grade. I noticed smoke from the rear of the truck. I pulled onto the shoulder of the road to investigate. the spare tire had shifted in its mount near or against the tail pipe. the tire had ignited and was in flames.…
I was east bound on interstate 8 east of alpine, ca pulling a trailer up a 6% grade. I noticed smoke from the rear of the truck. I pulled onto the shoulder of the road to investigate. the spare tire had shifted in its mount near or against the tail pipe. the tire had ignited and was in flames. it IS mounted against the bottom of the rear fuel tank. I extingushed the fire, and removed the tire from the truck. I have been informed of 3 other incidents of this occurring on other ford pickup trucks since this incident. in all four incidents, the trucks were pulling trialer up hill. my concern IS the possibility of the burning spare tire igniting the fuel in the rear fuel tank. I can provide the vin number later if you still need it. *Ak
- Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
Headlight switch melted the wiring harness. consumer has notified the owner and manufacturer. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
As I travel the country and encounter other ford truck owners with dual fuel tanks I find many of them also have problems with rear fule tank leaking. fuel then falls on rear tire and can cause fire or ruin tire. I noticed when searching your database complaints of this nature were investigated…
As I travel the country and encounter other ford truck owners with dual fuel tanks I find many of them also have problems with rear fule tank leaking. fuel then falls on rear tire and can cause fire or ruin tire. I noticed when searching your database complaints of this nature were investigated and closed in 1991 without recall. Case # pe91090 (tire) and pe 94004 (brakes). any way I can obtain detalis of these studies? *Ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Total brake loss while being operated under hot hilly conditions.
- Structure › Frame and members
No summary
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
Alternator and water pump are designed too far apart; this causes the belt to move up and down, hitting the air pump and wearing the belt away. When it breaks, it tangles in other belts, causing them to jump off and shred themselves. Vehicle loses power steering/brakes and water pump. *ak
- Steering
Steering wheel locked, causing a collision.(ohio police report)
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Grease on rear brake seals, they failed while driving. Oil would get onto brakes. Could see oil dripping. Brakes would lock up. Rear brakes not effective at all, especially while towing a trailer. Will have dealer check out seals. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Hydraulic brake line cracks/leaks
There is no summary currently available
- Alternator belt failure
There is no summary currently available
- Loss of brake effectivenes
===
- Fuel expulsion
There is no summary currently available
- Spare tire fires
There is no summary currently available
- Loss of brake effectivenes
There is no summary currently available
- Trnsmssion park gear fail
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.
- 3055148Unknown
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 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.
- 613341Experiencing front end shimmy occurring at various driving speeds and IS usually induced when hitting bumps such as large potholes or rough railroad crossings.
- 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
- 609538Front end shimmy may occur at various driving speeds and IS usually induced when hitting bumps, such as large potholes or rough railroad crossings. Shimmy IS not always verified during road test.
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 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.
- 605576Information regarding random hairline cracks, "star cracking" in rear sheet molding composite (smc) fenders - dual rear vehicles operating in severe duty conditions.
- 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.
- 601045Front caliper piston boots damaged.
- 601036Some vehicles may exhibit excessive brake pedal travel, irregular front lining wear, and brake pull.
- 601010Recommended guidelines for towing behind recreational vehicles.
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 51691Accessory drive belts- fead belt comes off- vehicles with 4.9L engine.
- 51689Frame- rivet replacement with bolts- service tips.
- 51669Noise- "popping/creaking"- front frame or suspension brackets- frame- "popping/creaking"- fastener replacement.
- 51401Diagnostic guides for out-of-warranty vehicles to be used as a master copy - diagnostic guides no longer available from adistra.
- 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.
- 45943Steering gear-replacement of bendix, steering gear with new ross steeering gear.
- 45086Delayed forward engagement and/or heat stained forward clutch plates after installing center support service.
- 45085Revised design transmission rear case bushing.
- 42085Unknown
- 42080Unknown
- 41029Knocking noise on initial start-up.
Every Ford F350 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.