Complaints
55
Crashes
2
Fires
6
Injuries
3
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1989 Ford F-350 Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#16 complaints
Tires:Tread/Belt
#24 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
#34 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1989 Ford F-350.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 3 | — | 2 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 2 | — | 2 | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly:Relay | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum:Shoes/Linings | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Bumpers | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Macpherson Strut | 1 | — | — | — |
Tires:Tread/Belt
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft:Seal
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Starter Assembly:Relay
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Webbing
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum:Shoes/Linings
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Bumpers
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Macpherson Strut
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1989 Ford F-350. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford F-350 Years
1989 Ford F-350 — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1989 Ford F-350 reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1989 Ford F-350 has 55 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Tires:Tread/Belt with 6 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1989 Ford F-350?
Top reported problems: Tires:Tread/Belt (6 complaints); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (4 complaints); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components (4 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1989 Ford F-350?
NHTSA complaints for the 1989 Ford F-350 include 2 crash-related reports, 6 fire reports, 3 injuries, and 1 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 F-350 have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1989 Ford F-350 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 F-350?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford F-350 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1989 Ford F-350
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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