VehicleVerdict

1979 Ford Fairmont problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1979 Ford Fairmont — 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

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1979 compare to other Fairmont years?

Fairmont NHTSA complaints by model year, 1979 highlighted6 complaints1978: 2 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 6 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 6 complaints
Fairmont NHTSA complaints by model year, 1979 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Fairmont years to avoid →

Does the 1979 Ford Fairmont 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.

79V272000Visibility & WipersDecember 27, 1979 · 56 units

Defect

WINDSHIELDS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THESE VEHICLES WITHOUT THE APPLICATION OF A BUTYL PRIMER ON THE MOUNTING SURFACE OF THE GLAZING. THE PRIMER IS REQUIRED TO ENSURE ADEQUATE RETENTION OF THE WINDSHIELD TO ITS OPENING FLANGE. THIS CONSTITUTES A NON-COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, "WINDSHIELD MOUNTING".

Remedy

DEALER WILL REINSTALL THE WINDSHIELD CORRECTLY WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

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.

79V039000OtherJanuary 26, 1979 · 9,500 units

Defect

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH SAFETY COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATION LABELS THAT CONTAINED INCORRECT GVWR AND GAWR WEIGHT INFORMATION. THE GVWR"S COULD BE OVERSTATED BY UP TO 197 LBS., DUE TO AN ERROR IN THE REPORTING OF INCREMENTAL OPTION WEIGHTS USED TO DERIVE THE GVWR"S AND GAWR"S.

Remedy

THE OWNER HAS THE OPTION OF AFFIXING THE SUPPLIED LABELS HIMSELF OR BRINGING THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM AFFIXED.

1979 Ford Fairmont — common questions

Is the 1979 Ford Fairmont 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 Fairmont have recalls?

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

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.