1989 Ford F-150 problems
The Ford F-Series is a series of light-duty trucks marketed and manufactured by Ford Motor Company since the 1948 model year. The F-Series is marketed as a range of full-sized pickup trucks positioned above the midsize Ranger but below the larger Super Duty in the Ford truck lineup. Alongside the F-150 (introduced in 1975), the F-Series also includes the Super Duty series (introduced in 1999), which includes the heavier-duty F-250 through F-450 pickups, F-450/F-550 chassis cabs, and F-600/F-650/F-750 Class 6–8 commercial trucks.
History
The F-Series was first introduced in 1948 as a replacement for a previous pickup model line based on car platforms.
The most popular version of the model line is the F-150 pickup truck, currently in its fourteenth generation (introduced for the 2021 model year). From 1953 to 1983, the entry-level F-Series pickup was the 1⁄2 ton F-100. Starting in 1984, the F-150 became the entry-level. The F-150 has a long-running high-performance off-road trim level introduced for 2010, the (SVT) Raptor currently consisting of three generations. Production of the F-150 SVT Raptor ended in 2014 and it was planned to be succeeded by a new F-150 Raptor, which is based on the thirteenth and fourteenth generation F-150.
The F-Series trucks have been developed into a wide range of design configurations. Alongside medium-duty trucks and "Big Job" conventional trucks (the forerunners of the Ford L-series), the model line has been marketed as a chassis-cab truck and a panel van (a predecessor of the Ford E-Series). The F-Series has served as the platform for various full-sized Ford SUVs, including the Ford Bronco, Ford Expedition/Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Excursion. The F-Series has been marketed by its three North American brands: by Mercury as the M-Series (in Canada from 1948 to 1968), and by Lincoln in the 2000s, as the Blackwood and the later Mark LT (2010s for the latter in Mexico only).
Since 1977, the F-Series has remained the best-selling pickup truck line in the United States; it has been the best-selling vehicle overall since 1981. The F-Series has been the best-selling truck in Canada for over fifty years. As of the 2018 model year, the F-Series generated $41 billion (~$49 billion in 2023) in annual revenue for Ford. By January 2022, the F-Series models have sold over 40 million units. Currently, Ford manufactures the F-Series in four facilities in the United States.
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Common 1989 Ford F-150 problems
The 1989 Ford F-150 is a popular choice among truck enthusiasts, known for its robust design and spacious interior. However, like any vehicle, it has its share of common problems that potential buyers should be aware of.
- Window Lift Motor Gears: The gears in the window lift motors of 1989 F-150s are prone to failure. This issue is relatively easy and inexpensive to fix, as it involves replacing the gears or the motor itself. However, it requires drilling or cutting holes to access the screws holding the motor in place, which can be a bit of a hassle.
- Fuel Pumps: The fuel pumps in 1989 F-150s are located in the tanks, and they are known to fail over time. Replacing them can be a challenging task due to the bulky nature of the tanks. It is recommended to check both fuel pumps to ensure they are functioning correctly.
- Alignment and 4x4: Ensuring proper alignment is essential for the 1989 F-150, particularly if it is a 4x4 model. Checking the u-joints and ball joints for tightness is crucial, as loose components can lead to costly repairs. Testing the 4x4 system by jacking up one wheel and engaging all four-wheel-drive components can help identify any issues.
- Suspension Problems: Owners of 1989 F-150s have reported problems with the front suspension system, particularly with weak leaf springs. This issue can be addressed by replacing the leaf springs with stronger ones, which can help improve the overall handling and ride quality of the truck.
- Engine Problems: The 8th generation F-150 (1987-1991) ranks 23rd in reliability out of 94 generations, with 27 complaints mostly about engine problems. Some of the specific issues reported include oil leaks, difficulty starting, and battery problems.
In conclusion, while the 1989 Ford F-150 is a popular and capable truck, it is not without its common problems. Potential buyers should be aware of these issues and take the necessary steps to address them to ensure a reliable and enjoyable ownership experience.
Is the 1989 Ford F-150 a good truck?
These things are extremely reliable, will go a few hundred thousand miles (if they've been well serviced with virtually no repair). The F150 (Lariat I currently have) rides very comfortably and solidly regardless of the load or road. F250 and 350's really ride rough.
What years did the F-150 have engine problems?
What year F-150 has engine problems? If you want a F-150, but also want to avoid engine problems, then steer away from getting model years 2004-2008, 2010, and 2015-2017.
Which year of F-150 is most reliable?
With a reliability score of 86 out of 100, the 2022 Ford F-150 is the highest-rated F-150 model by J.D. Power, meaning it is also the most reliable Ford F-150 available. What makes the 2022 F-150 even more impressive is that you won't have to sacrifice modern features for reliability.
What engine is in a 1989 Ford F-150?
5.0L V8
Four-wheel-drive improvements included the addition of automatic locking hubs for the F-150 in 1989. Models with the 5.0L V8 also had an option of a "Touch Drive" electronic transfer case.
Is the 1989 Ford F-150 a good truck?
These things are extremely reliable, will go a few hundred thousand miles (if they've been well serviced with virtually no repair). The F150 (Lariat I currently have) rides very comfortably and solidly regardless of the load or road. F250 and 350's really ride rough.
What years did the F-150 have engine problems?
What year F-150 has engine problems? If you want a F-150, but also want to avoid engine problems, then steer away from getting model years 2004-2008, 2010, and 2015-2017.
Which year of F-150 is most reliable?
With a reliability score of 86 out of 100, the 2022 Ford F-150 is the highest-rated F-150 model by J.D. Power, meaning it is also the most reliable Ford F-150 available. What makes the 2022 F-150 even more impressive is that you won't have to sacrifice modern features for reliability.
What engine is in a 1989 Ford F-150?
Specifications for Ford F-150 Regular Cab 5.0 V8 EFI 188hp, 1989 8th Generation (1987 - 1991)
1989 Ford F-150 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ford F-150 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Fuel/propulsion system problems
- Electrical system problems
- Fuel system problems
- Gasoline problems
- Air bags problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1989 Ford F-150 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1989 Ford F-150 complaints
The NHTSA has received 14 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1989 Ford F-150.
AIR BAGS,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-01-01
- VIN: 1FTEX15N4KK
- Components: AIR BAGS,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The horn doesn’t work. Everything mechanically works great. Concern is if airbag works Never worked since purchased in January 2015.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-06-08
- VIN: 1FTDF15N5KL
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 1989 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AT STAND STILL AT A GAS STATION, WHEN SHE NOTICED A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT CALLED SUNNYVALE FORD LOCATED AT 650 E EL CAMINO REAL, SUNNYVALE, CA 94087, (408) 215-9949, WHERE THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,427.
TIRES,WHEELS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-04-02
- Components: TIRES,WHEELS
- Summary: I HAVE A LT235/75R-15 BFGOODRICH ALL TERRAIN T/A K02 C TIRE THAT HAS A HUGE BUBBLE IN THE INNER SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIRE THAT DID THIS. I DISCOVERED IT WHEN I WAS CHANGING THE OIL. THERE NEEDS TO HAVE A SAFETY RECALL.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-02-05
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F-150. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE OFF A USED CAR LOT, IT FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY, BUT THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT SUSPECTED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAULTY AND THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK. THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF OREGON, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT, WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU OF OREGON ALSO TOOK A COMPLAINT FROM THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT ONLY RECEIVED A REFUND FOR HALF OF WHAT HE PAID FOR THE VEHICLE. THE USED VEHICLE DEALER CHARGED THE CONTACT FOR THE NUMEROUS REPAIRS WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-11-07
- VIN: 2FTDF15N2KC
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: AS ACCORDING TO FORD SAFETY RECALL 91S39 AND SAFETY RECALL 91V146000 MY TRUCK IS LEAKING FUEL INTO MY FRONT TANK WHILE I ONLY USE THE BACK TANK WHICH IS DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE BUT MY LOCAL FORD DEALERS WONT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE EITHER THE CAMPAIGN WAS ALREADY PERFORMED OR MY VEHICLE "WASN'T" AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL BUT YET THE PROBLEM STATED IN THE RECALL IS PRESENT IN MY VEHICLE.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-05-10
- VIN: IFTDF15N2KN
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: I HAVE A 1989 FORD F150 AND THE FRONT FUEL TANK OVER FLOWS EVERY TIME I PARK IT IV LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK SELECTOR IS BAD AND CANT BYE ANOTHER ONE SO I NEED HELP WITH MY TRUCK THE INTERNET SAYS IT A RECALL.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-06-14
- VIN: 1FTRX1203KA
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: SMALL DOOR BEHIND DRERIVEER SEAT WILLNOT OPEN
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-03-01
- VIN: 1FTEF14N7KK
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: DROVE HOME AFTER FILLING FUEL TANKS. PARKED TRUCK IN GARAGE AND SMELLED GAS. CHECKED 1989 FORD F150 FUEL TANK AND IT WAS LEAKING ONTO THE FLOOR OF THE GARAGE. REMOVED 1989 FORD F150 FROM GARAGE TO DRIVEWAY TO CHECK THE PROBLEM OUT MORE. REMOVED REAR FUEL TANK GAS CAP AND GAS STARED RUNNING OUT OF THE TANK ON TO THE DRIVEWAY. GAS STOPPED RUNNING OUT AFTER A FEW MINUTES. COULD THIS CAUSE MY FORD F150 TO CATCH ON FIRE AND BURN MY HOUSE DOWN AS THE GARAGE IS UNDER THE HOUSE. I SEE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM WITH 1989 FORD F150. CAN I GET FORD MOTOR CO. TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE A FIRE OCCURS. NEED HELP TO GET FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU *TR
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-09-24
- VIN: 1FTEX14NXKK
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: FUEL STARTED PUMPING OUT OF THE GAS CAP AT A RELATIVELY HIGH RATE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. WHEN I STOPPED, FUEL CONTINUED TO PUMP OUT ONTO THE GROUND UNTIL I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. I WENT TO LOOSEN THE GAS CAP TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON AND GAS BLEW OUT ONTO ME AND ON THE GROUND (I WOULD ESTIMATE 1-2 CUPS OF FUEL AT LEAST). THIS IS AN OLDER VEHICLE- BUT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND I BELIEVE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I FOUND OUT FROM A LOCAL MECHANIC THAT FORD ISSUED A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE (RECALL NUMBER 91S39 / CASE #91V146000). HOWEVER, FORD NEVER NOTIFIED ME OF THE RECALL AND BOTH MY LOCAL DEALER AND FORD'S NATIONAL SERVICE HOTLINE CLAIM THEY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS SAFETY RECALL AND THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE SINCE THE VEHICLE IS CONSIDERABLY OUT OF WARRANTY. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THERE ARE NO TIME LIMITS ON SAFETY RECALL REPAIRS. I AM COMPLAINING BECAUSE MY FUEL SUPPLY FAILURE FITS THE DESCRIPTION EXACTLY AS WHAT IS DESCRIBED IN THIS SAFETY RECALL AND MY VEHICLE IS CLEARLY ONE OF THE LISTED / AFFECTED VEHICLES AS STATED IN FORD'S OWN SAFETY RECALL DOCUMENTATION. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-02-10
- VIN: 1FTEX14Y4KK
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TWO STARTERS REPLACED PREVIOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,000.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-06-14
- VIN: 1FTEF14N5KK
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: I AM WONDERING IF THE DEFECTIVE SWITCH VALVE HAS BEEN REPLACED OR IF IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THERE ISN'T ONE ON THE TRUCK. *TR
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2012-05-02
- VIN: 1FTDF15Y3KN
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE MAIN FUEL TANK WAS FILLED TO CAPACITY, THE FUEL WOULD NOT FLOW INTO THE AUXILIARY TANK AND INSTEAD, WOULD SPILL OUT ONTO THE GROUND. THE CONTAC T REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 91V146000 (FUEL SYSTEM: GASOLINE: STOTAGE: AUXILLIARY TANK: SELCETOR DEVICES), BUT WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,245.
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2012-05-08
- VIN: 1FTEF14Y4KN
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MALFUNCTIONED AND AS A RESULT, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD ONLY WORK WHEN ENGAGED ON HIGH SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM SINCE THE PARTS WERE NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,200. UPDATED 08/07/12*LJ UPDATED 08/16/2012 *JS
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2012-04-18
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING THE DUAL FULL TANKS TO CAPACITY, FUEL BEGAN TO LEAK CONTINUOUSLY OUT OF THE FILLER CAP WHEN THE FILLER CAP WAS TIGHTLY SECURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE DUAL FUEL TANK VALVE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 89V114000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: AUXILLARY TANK); HOWEVER THE RECALL EXPIRED ON JULY 10, 1999. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110.000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/31/12*LJ
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1989 Ford F-150 problems:
1989 F-150 Common Problems - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
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Apr 13, 2012 ... 1989 F150 Fuel problems. - I have a 1989 Ford F150 with the 5.0 fuel injected. Its not getting gas and I don't know where the problem begins ...
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