1989 Ford F Series recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. INTERCONNECTION OF RETURN LINE PLUMBING FROM HYDROBOOST STEERING GEAR MAY CAUSE LIGHT APPLICATION OF HYDROBOOST UNIT WITHOUT APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL.
What could happen: THIS COULD RESULT IN DRAGGING BRAKES, BRAKE FADE, ORPREMATURE WEAR AND/OR HEAT DAMAGE TO BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS, REDUCING BRAKINGEFFICIENCY WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
The fix: INSTALL REVISED RETURN LINES AND REPLACE DAMAGED BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1989 F SERIES.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 90V097000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
Summary: INTERCONNECTION OF RETURN LINE PLUMBING FROM HYDROBOOST STEERING GEAR MAY CAUSE LIGHT APPLICATION OF HYDROBOOST UNIT WITHOUT APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN DRAGGING BRAKES, BRAKE FADE, ORPREMATURE WEAR AND/OR HEAT DAMAGE TO BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS, REDUCING BRAKINGEFFICIENCY WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL REVISED RETURN LINES AND REPLACE DAMAGED BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS.
Notes: SYSTEM: POWER BRAKE - POWER STEERING GEAR RETURN LINE.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: F SUPER DUTY MOTOR HOME CHASSIS AND F SUPER DUTY COMMERCIALCHASSIS.
2. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE FRONT AXLE TRACK BAR BRACKET TO THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER MAY LOOSEN, ALLOWING THE FRONT WHEELS TO OSCILLATE WITH FRONT END SHIMMY.
What could happen: SEVERE SHIMMY COULD DAMAGE STEERING LINKAGE OR STEERINGGEAR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
The fix: INSTALL REDESIGNED FRONT AXLE TRACK BAR TO CROSSMEMBER BRACKET AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE CERTAIN STEERING COMPONENTS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1989 F SERIES.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 89V009000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING:LINKAGES
Summary: BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE FRONT AXLE TRACK BAR BRACKET TO THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER MAY LOOSEN, ALLOWING THE FRONT WHEELS TO OSCILLATE WITH FRONT END SHIMMY.
Consequence: SEVERE SHIMMY COULD DAMAGE STEERING LINKAGE OR STEERINGGEAR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL REDESIGNED FRONT AXLE TRACK BAR TO CROSSMEMBER BRACKET AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE CERTAIN STEERING COMPONENTS.
Notes: SYSTEM: SUSPENSION/STEERING.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: F SUPER DUTY TRUCKS AND CHASSIS.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Wheels / tires (2), Fuel system (1), Gasoline (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (2)
02/08/2012 · Wheels / tires
WHILE OPERATING IN REVERSE LESS THAT 8 MPH THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE IMPACTED A TREE LIMB AND THE TIER SIDEWALL SPLIT FROM THE TREAD TO THE RIME SEAL. DEALER ADVISES THIS WAS AN IMPACT BLOWOUT. I CAN SEE AT A SPEED GREATER THAN 8 MPH SUCH A POSSIBLE BLOWOUT BUT QUESTION SUCH A SITUATION AT SUCH A LOW SPEED. *TR
09/22/2011 · Fuel system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD F250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WOULD OVERFLOW AND SPILL OUT THROUGH THE FILLER NECK VALVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,000.