1989 Ford F350 problems & reliability
42 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1989 Ford F350. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
2 complaints report injuries (3 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1989 Ford F350 vehicles were involved in 3 fatal crashes with 2 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 8 | 19% |
| Electrical System | 7 | 17% |
| Tires | 7 | 17% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 6 | 14% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 5 | 12% |
| Structure | 3 | 7% |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 5% |
| Power Train | 2 | 5% |
| Steering | 2 | 5% |
| Suspension | 2 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
All 15 reported components →Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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…”
Fuel System, Gasoline · filed Mar 5, 2014
“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…”
Engine · filed Jul 24, 2013
“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…”
Tires · filed Nov 4, 2005
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE CRACKS/LEAKS
Preliminary Evaluation PE94004 · opened Jan 25, 1994 · closed Apr 29, 1994
- ALTERNATOR BELT FAILURE
Engineering Analysis EA93014 · opened Jun 4, 1993 · closed Jul 29, 1994
- LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES
Engineering Analysis EA91044 · opened Oct 30, 1991 · closed Oct 30, 1992 · led to recall 92V026000
- FUEL EXPULSION
Engineering Analysis EA91031 · opened Jun 26, 1991 · closed Nov 1, 1991 · led to recall 91V146000
- SPARE TIRE FIRES
Preliminary Evaluation PE91090 · opened Jun 20, 1991 · closed Oct 25, 1991
- LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES
Preliminary Evaluation PE91077 · opened May 23, 1991 · closed Oct 31, 1991
- TRNSMSSION PARK GEAR FAIL
Preliminary Evaluation PE90056 · opened Mar 12, 1990 · closed Jun 12, 1990 · led to recall 90V101000
Technical service bulletins
45 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1989 Ford F350. The 10 most recent:
Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *slc
01157 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 6, 2001
Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *slc
01156 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 6, 2001
Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system. *tt
002310 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 13, 2000
Transmission- e40d/4r100-1989-99-main controls, separator plates and separator plate gaskets usage chart. Yd
98168 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 7, 2000
Vehicles 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
0038 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 7, 2000
Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *mjs
0015 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 10, 2000
Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses. *tt
99222 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 18, 1999
Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems. *tt
99196 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 20, 1999
Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda. *tt
99152 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 26, 1999
Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( f8az - 19g208-aa ) to reduce the possibility of moisture corrosion at the terminals. *yc
98246 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 7, 1998
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1989 Ford F350 in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1989 Ford F350?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.