VehicleVerdict

1979 Ford F-250 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 2 complaints on file for the 1979 Ford F-250 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 9 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

2

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1979 compare to other F-250 years?

F-250 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1979 highlighted1,919 complaints1967: 0 complaints1968: 1 complaints1969: 0 complaints1970: 1 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 2 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 3 complaints1978: 3 complaints1979: 2 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 1 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 2 complaints1984: 11 complaints1985: 33 complaints1986: 42 complaints1987: 51 complaints1988: 85 complaints1989: 141 complaints1990: 134 complaints1991: 145 complaints1992: 149 complaints1993: 183 complaints1994: 156 complaints1995: 238 complaints1996: 212 complaints1997: 348 complaints1998: 76 complaints1999: 702 complaints2000: 417 complaints2001: 269 complaints2002: 189 complaints2003: 151 complaints2004: 201 complaints2005: 207 complaints2006: 332 complaints2007: 84 complaints2008: 255 complaints2009: 92 complaints2010: 109 complaints2011: 384 complaints2012: 423 complaints2013: 153 complaints2014: 236 complaints2015: 426 complaints2016: 427 complaints2017: 1,718 complaints2018: 616 complaints2019: 1,919 complaints2020: 351 complaints2021: 205 complaints2022: 152 complaints
F-250 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1979 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F-250 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1979 Ford F-250 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System150%
Tires & Wheels150%

Does the 1979 Ford F-250 have recalls?

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

07E064000Fuel SystemAugust 27, 2007 · 34,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.

Consequence

A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.

79V201000BrakesNovember 2, 1979 · 500 units

Defect

DIMENSIONAL DIFFERENCES IN THE 1980 VERSUS THE 1979 ASSEMBLIES MAY ALLOW THE INNER BRAKE LINING/SHOE TO MOVE OUTWARD TO A POSITION WHERE IT IS NO LONGER RETAINED IN THE SHOE SLOT WHEN THE FRONT BRAKE INNER LININGS BECOME WORN TO THE POINT OF NEEDING REPLACEMENT. THE INNER BRAKE SHOE COULD THEN WEDGE BETWEEN THE ROTOR AND SPINDLE, POSSIBLY CAUSING A SUDDEN LOCK-UP OF ONE FRONT WHEEL. THIS CAN OCCUR WITHOUT BRAKE APPLICATION AND WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT STEERING CONTROL. THESE DIMENSIONAL DIFFERENCES COULD ALSO ALLOW ADDITIONAL TRAVEL OF THE BRAKE PISTON SUCH THAT A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID FROM THE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM MAY OCCUR. THIS WOULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE HUB AND ROTOR ASSEMBLIES AND SPINDLE SEALS.

79V117000BrakesMay 15, 1979 · 82,000 units

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.

79V035000SteeringJanuary 29, 1979 · 62,000 units

Defect

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED STEERING ARM KNUCKLES. SHOULD AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED STEERING ARM KNUCKLE FRACTURE AND SEPARATE, THE STEERING LINKAGE TIE ROD MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE KNUCKLE.

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL INSPECT FOR CRACKING IN THE STEERING ARM KNUCKLES ON ALL VEHICLES AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM FREE OF CHARGE.

79V038000Fuel SystemJanuary 26, 1979 · 105 units

Defect

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITHOUT A FUEL TANK SHIELD AT THE FRONT RIGHT CORNER OF THE MIDSHIP FUEL TANK. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY". IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT, EXCESSIVE FUEL SPILLAGE COULD RESULT.

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL INSTALL THE REQUIRED FUEL TANK SHIELD WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

79V023000Visibility & WipersJanuary 15, 1979 · 12 units

Defect

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, "WINDSHIELD MOUNTING", IN THAT SOME OF THE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITHOUT THE SPECIFIED WINDSHIELD WEATHERSTRIP RETAINING COMPONENTS.

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL INSTALL THE WINDSHIELD WEATHERSTRIP RETAINING COMPONENTS AT NO COST TO OWNER.

78V256000TransmissionNovember 27, 1978 · 7,000 units

Defect

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS IN WHICH THE PARKING PAWL WAS NOT HEAT-TREATED. DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION, A PARKING PAWL THAT HAS NOT BEEN HEAT-TREATED COULD BECOME DEFORMED OR WORN TO THE POINT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT LOCK IN "PARK". AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL FREE IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT SET THE PARKING BRAKE WHEN PARKING OR LEAVING VEHICLE UNATTENDED.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARKING PAWL WITH ONE THAT HAS BEEN HEAT-TREATED.

78V201000TransmissionSeptember 15, 1978 · 22,000 units

Defect

THESE TRANSMISSIONS MAY CONTAIN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED PARKING PAWL ACTUATING RODS. CONSEQUENTLY, THE UNHARDENED CAM SURFACE OF THESE RODS CAN ALLOW THE ROD TO DEFORM DURING USE WITH RESULTANT INCREASE IN SHIFT EFFORTS AND DIFFICULTY IN RELEASING THE PARKING PAWL AND ENGAGING THE PARKING GEAR.

Remedy

DEALER WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL ACTUATING ROD WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

78V197000Fuel SystemSeptember 11, 1978 · 103 units

Defect

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DO NOT CONTAIN A FUEL TANK SHIELD AT THE FRONT RIGHT CORNER OF THE MID-SHIP FUEL TANK. IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL IMPACT, EXCESSIVE FUEL SPILLAGE FROM THE FUEL TANK MAY OCCUR. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY".

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSTALL THE NECESSARY FUEL TANK SHIELD WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1979 FORD F250. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH DUAL FUEL TANKS, AND BOTH WERE LEAKING EXCESSIVE FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE SINCE THE PART WAS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED FOR THAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 26, 2010

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1979 FORD F-250 WITH BF GOODRICH KO ALL TERRAIN TIRES, SIZE: 35X12.5R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TREAD WAS SEPARATING ON ALL FOUR TIRES. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRES WERE OUTDATED AND DID NOT HAVE ANY COVERAGE. THE DOT NUMBER WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 5, 2012

1979 Ford F-250 — common questions

Is the 1979 Ford F-250 reliable?

The record is thin — 2 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 9 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1979 Ford F-250 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 1979 Ford F-250. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford F-250 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-250 years to avoid are 2019, 2017, 1999, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2000, 2011, 2020, 1997, 2006, 2001, 2008, 1995, 2014. The cleanest record among F-250 years belongs to 1982.

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.