1989 Ford E150 problems & reliability
31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1989 Ford E150. 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.
1 complaint report injuries (1 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1989 Ford E150 vehicles were involved in 1 fatal crash with 1 occupant death. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System → | 11 | 35% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 8 | 26% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 5 | 16% |
| Power Train | 2 | 6% |
| Tires | 2 | 6% |
| Engine | 1 | 3% |
| Equipment | 1 | 3% |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 3% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 3% |
| Steering | 1 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
All 13 reported components →Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Ignition control module fails due to excessive heat buildup, due to where the control module is located. The ignition control module needs to be relocated to a cooler area under the hood, and mounted on a large heat sink, and this new location should be where cooling airflow from front of van flows over the ignition…”
Engine · filed Sep 10, 2023
“Nhtsa campaign id# 91v146000 refers to a safety recall for a faulty dual fuel tank selector valve in ford econoline vans equipped with dual fuel tanks built between 1989 and 1991 and other similar models . I have contacted ford to investigate , but there are no records that confirm or disaffirm my vehicle's inclusion…”
Fuel System, Gasoline · filed Jul 1, 2008
“Van died,towed to mechanics shop,was told switch valve between tanks was problem, looked on nhtsa website about recalls. Ford van 89 e-150 with duel gas tanks. Ford safety recall number is 91s39 went to ford web site,called them on phone, customer service and local dealership. Both said there was no recall on my van…”
Fuel System, Gasoline · filed Apr 25, 2008
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- 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
- LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENES
Preliminary Evaluation PE91077 · opened May 23, 1991 · closed Oct 31, 1991
Technical service bulletins
1 manufacturer communication (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1989 Ford E150.
Delayed forward engagement and/or heat stained forward clutch plates after installing center support service. *tw
951113 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 1, 1995
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 E150 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 E150?
- · 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.