VehicleVerdict

1980 Ford E-150 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1980 Ford E-150 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1980 compare to other E-150 years?

E-150 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1980 highlighted180 complaints1976: 3 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 2 complaints1982: 3 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 3 complaints1985: 3 complaints1986: 12 complaints1987: 20 complaints1988: 15 complaints1989: 37 complaints1990: 17 complaints1991: 20 complaints1992: 86 complaints1993: 95 complaints1994: 180 complaints1995: 104 complaints1996: 81 complaints1997: 122 complaints1998: 81 complaints1999: 115 complaints2000: 61 complaints2001: 52 complaints2002: 37 complaints2003: 31 complaints2004: 36 complaints2005: 24 complaints2006: 23 complaints2007: 15 complaints2008: 12 complaints2009: 10 complaints2010: 14 complaints2011: 30 complaints2012: 19 complaints2013: 29 complaints2014: 9 complaints2015: 10 complaints2016: 11 complaints2017: 0 complaints2021: 1 complaints2023: 0 complaints
E-150 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1980 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all E-150 years to avoid →

Does the 1980 Ford E-150 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

90V137000Seat BeltsJuly 18, 1990 · 13,637 units

Consequence

OCCUPANTS WOULD NOT BE ADEQUATELY PROTECTED IN EVENT OFAN ACCIDENT OR SUDDEN STOP.

Remedy

INSTALL PROPER MOUNTING HARDWARE AND SEAT BELTS.

80V120000BrakesSeptember 19, 1980 · 10,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED BY THE SUPPLIER. THESE ASSEMBLIES, BOTH RH AND LH, WERE INCORRECTLY BUILT WITH THE FITTINGS MISORIENTED BY 90 DEGREES. THIS COULD CAUSE CHAFING OF THE BRAKE HOSE THROUGH CONTACT WITH THE ADJACENT TIRE DURING FULL TURNS. CONTINUED CHAFING COULD RESULT IN A BRAKE FLUID LEAK.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSES AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE ONE OR BOTH HOSES AT NO CHARGE.

80V088000EngineJuly 14, 1980 · 4 units

Defect

DUE TO COMPUTER INPUT ERROR WHICH RESULTED IN AN INCORRECT BUILD SCHEDULE, SOME VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITHOUT THE REQUIRED EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT SHIELDS. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IDLED OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, A MISSING EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD MAY RESULT IN DANGEROUSLY HIGH FLOOR PAN TEMPERATURES.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSTALL FRAME-MOUNTING HEAT SHIELDS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

1980 Ford E-150 — common questions

Is the 1980 Ford E-150 reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1980 Ford E-150 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1980 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 1980 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.