VehicleVerdict

1979 Ford F-350 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1979 Ford F-350 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1979 compare to other F-350 years?

F-350 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1979 highlighted729 complaints1967: 0 complaints1968: 0 complaints1969: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 2 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 3 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 2 complaints1985: 4 complaints1986: 17 complaints1987: 8 complaints1988: 34 complaints1989: 55 complaints1990: 63 complaints1991: 34 complaints1992: 74 complaints1993: 129 complaints1994: 126 complaints1995: 191 complaints1996: 167 complaints1997: 188 complaints1998: 16 complaints1999: 531 complaints2000: 367 complaints2001: 181 complaints2002: 140 complaints2003: 100 complaints2004: 216 complaints2005: 170 complaints2006: 206 complaints2007: 56 complaints2008: 176 complaints2009: 55 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 204 complaints2012: 252 complaints2013: 110 complaints2014: 150 complaints2015: 289 complaints2016: 290 complaints2017: 729 complaints2018: 304 complaints2019: 721 complaints2020: 234 complaints2021: 119 complaints
F-350 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1979 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F-350 years to avoid →

Does the 1979 Ford F-350 have recalls?

4 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.

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.

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.

1979 Ford F-350 — common questions

Is the 1979 Ford F-350 reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1979 Ford F-350 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1979 Ford F-350. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1979 Ford F-350 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford F-350 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-350 years to avoid are 2017, 2019, 1999, 2000, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2020, 2004, 2006, 2011, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2008, 2005, 1996, 2014, 2002, 1993, 1994, 2021, 2013, 2003. The cleanest record among F-350 years belongs to 2010.

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.