Consequence
OCCUPANTS WOULD NOT BE ADEQUATELY PROTECTED IN EVENT OFAN ACCIDENT OR SUDDEN STOP.
Remedy
INSTALL PROPER MOUNTING HARDWARE AND SEAT BELTS.
1979 Ford E-150 problems
Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1979 Ford E-150 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
0
NHTSA complaints
5
Recalls
1
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
How does 1979 compare to other E-150 years?
Does the 1979 Ford E-150 have recalls?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY MAY CONTAIN SUBSTANDARD WELDS IN THE AREA WHERE THE DISC IS ATTACHED TO THE RIM. AS A RESULT, CRACKS CAN FORM IN THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY, CAUSING AIR LOSS AND AN UNDERINFLATED TIRE.
Remedy
DEALER WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE WHEELS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
Defect
CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY NOT CONTAIN THE SPECIFIED BODY MOUNTED HEAT SHIELDS. THIS COULD CAUSE HIGH FLOOR PAN TEMPERATURES WHEN THE ENGINE IS IDLED FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME. FOULED SPARK PLUGS OR OTHER ENGINE CONDITIONS COULD FURTHER INCREASE EXHAUST TEMPERATURES.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL INSTALL THE NECESSARY FRAME MOUNTED HEAT SHIELD, IF MISSING.
Defect
THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH BRAKE PUSH-ROD TO BRAKE PEDAL RETAINING PINS WHICH WERE NOT HEAT-TREATED AS SPECIFIED. THIS COULD ALLOW THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BECOME DISENGAGED FROM THE PUSH-ROD.
Remedy
DEALER WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT BRAKE RETAINING PIN.
Defect
ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR THE OUTBOARD SEAT BELTS TO BECOME TRAPPED IN THE SEAT-BED PIVOTING MECHANISM. SHOULD THE BELT BECOME TRAPPED IN THE MECHANISM WHEN THE SEAT IS CONVERTED TO A BED, THE BELT MAY BECOME CUT OR FRAYED.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL INSTALL SEAT BELT SHIELDS ON THE FOLDING SEAT/BED PIVOTING MECHANISM AND REPLACE THE OUTBOARD SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES IF DAMAGED, FREE OF CHARGE.
1979 Ford E-150 — common questions
Is the 1979 Ford E-150 reliable?
The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.
Does the 1979 Ford E-150 have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1979 Ford E-150. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Is the 1979 Ford E-150 under NHTSA investigation?
NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.
Which Ford E-150 years should you avoid?
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the E-150 years to avoid are 1994, 1997, 1999, 1995, 1993, 1992, 1998, 1996, 2000, 2001, 1989, 2002, 2004, 2003, 2011. The cleanest record among E-150 years belongs to 2023.
Related
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.