Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1989 Ford E-250: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1989 Ford E-250, most recently filed September 1991. Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (2)

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1989 Ford E-250. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1989 Ford E-250. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 91V146000 Filed Sep 4, 1991

FUEL:FUEL TANK:AUXILLARY SELECTOR AND SWITCH

Fuel system, gasoline · storage · auxillary tank · selector devices
Official NHTSA text
Summary
THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE MAY MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE AN OVERFILL CONDITION IN ONE OF THE FUEL TANKS, RESULTING IN AN OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP.
Consequence
THE OVERFLOW OF FUEL PAST THE FILLER CAP CAUSES A FUELLEAKAGE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy
REPLACE THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE.
Repair progress not yet reported350,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 91V146000
Listed for 1989 Ford E-250. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 90V101000 Filed Jun 1, 1990

POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:AUTOMATIC:INDICATOR:LEVER

Power train · automatic transmission · gear position indication (prndl)
Official NHTSA text
Summary
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE SNAP RING THAT LOCATES THE PARK GEAR ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION MAY FRACTURE.
Consequence
WHEN THE GEAR IS PLACED IN PARK, THE PARK GEAR WOULD NOTENGAGE, ALLOWING THE TRUCK TO ROLL FREELY IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT PROPERLYSET. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
INSTALL IMPROVED SNAP RING AND REVISED TRANSMISSION EXTENSION HOUSING.
Repair progress not yet reported111,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 90V101000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (7)

7 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.

1involved a crash
1involved a fire
3injuries reported
2deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1989 Ford E-250, by component (top 5). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 7.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1989 compares with other E-250 years

Best and worst E-250 years →
2 2 2 7 4 8 14 7 11 15
1984198519881989199019911992199319941995
This year (1989)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1989 E-250 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All E-250 years

Where to next

1989 Ford E-250 FAQ

How many recalls does the 1989 Ford E-250 have?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 91V146000 (fuel system), 90V101000 (power train). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1989 Ford E-250 problems?

Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (2), Fuel system (2), Engine and engine cooling (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

How does the 1989 E-250 compare with other years?

Among the 1984–1995 Ford E-250 model years at least five years old, the 1984 drew the fewest complaints (2) and the 1995 the most (15). The 1989 drew 7. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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