Complaints
37
Crashes
0
Fires
7
Injuries
1
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1989 Ford E-150 Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#13 complaints
Electrical System:Ignition
Fires:1
#23 complaints
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank:Selector Devices
#32 complaints
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Fires:2
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1989 Ford E-150.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank:Selector Devices | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 2 | — | 2 | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Driveline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Bumpers | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Valve | 1 | — | — | — |
Electrical System:Ignition
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank:Selector Devices
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Tread/Belt
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Driveline
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Bumpers
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Valve
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1989 Ford E-150. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford E-150 Years
1989 Ford E-150 — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1989 Ford E-150 reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1989 Ford E-150 has 37 NHTSA complaints, 0 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical System:Ignition with 3 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1989 Ford E-150?
Top reported problems: Electrical System:Ignition (3 complaints); Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank:Selector Devices (3 complaints); Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator (2 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1989 Ford E-150?
NHTSA complaints for the 1989 Ford E-150 include 0 crash-related reports, 7 fire reports, 1 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1989 Ford E-150 have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1989 Ford E-150 as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1989 Ford E-150?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford E-150 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1989 Ford E-150
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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