VehicleVerdict

1979 Ford LTD problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 3 complaints on file for the 1979 Ford LTD — 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.

3

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1979 compare to other LTD years?

See all LTD years to avoid →

What are the most common 1979 Ford LTD problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels267%
Electrical System133%

Does the 1979 Ford LTD have recalls?

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

08E019000Fuel SystemMarch 6, 2008 · 1,937 units

Defect

INTERCONTINENTAL AUTO PARTS IS RECALLING 1,937 FUEL FILTERS, P/NOS ALG 44/1 AND PUROLATOR F10024, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 14 AND FEBRUARY 13, 2008, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FILTER'S OUTLET CAP MAY NOT BE SECURELY CRIMPED TO THE HOUSING. THIS COULD RESULT IN A SEPARATION OF FILTER'S OUTLET CAP FROM THE HOUSING.

Consequence

IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, A NO START CONDITION MAY RESULT AND FUEL MAY BE PUMPED ONTO THE GROUND. IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP DUE TO INADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, FUEL LEAKAGE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

INTERCONTINENTAL WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING MARCH 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT INTERCONTINENTAL AT 800-451-2593.

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.

79V106000BrakesApril 30, 1979 · 162,000 units

Defect

SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH MISINDEXED FRONT BRAKE HOSES WHICH COULD CONTACT A TIRE OR WHEEL IN A FULL-TURN CONDITION. CHAFING AND WEAR TO THE BRAKE HOSE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND FRONT WHEEL BRAKING CAPABILITY.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, RE-INDEX THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE. THOSE HOSES SHOWING SIGNS OF ABRASION WILL BE REPLACED, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

79V107000BrakesApril 30, 1979 · 18 units

Defect

SOME VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH BRAKE CONTROL VALVES AND BRAKE TUBES INTENDED FOR USE IN VEHICLES WITHOUT TRAILER TOW PACKAGES.

Remedy

DEALER WILL REPLACE BRAKE CONTROL VALVE AND CONNECTING BRAKE TUBE.

79V022000OtherJanuary 15, 1979 · 25,453 units

Defect

THE WORD "LIGHTS" WAS OMITTED FROM THE PANEL APPLIQUE IDENTIFYING THE HEADLAMP SWITCH. WITHOUT THIS IDENTIFICATION THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS".

Remedy

OWNERS OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE MAILED ADHESIVE BACKED LABELS CONTAINING THE WORD "LIGHTS", ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AT NO CHARGE.

78V213000EngineOctober 4, 1978 · 25,600 units

Defect

ONE OR MORE OF THE FIVE COOLING FAN BLADES MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY RIVETED TO THE FAN SPIDER. THIS COULD ALLOW THE BLADES TO SEPARATE FROM THE FAN DURING ENGINE OPERATION.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE ENGINE COOLING FAN, WITHOUT CHARGE.

78V212000SteeringOctober 4, 1978 · 32,000 units

Defect

THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLIES CONTAIN COUPLING RIVET PINS WHICH WERE NOT RIVETED SECURELY ENOUGH DURING MANUFACTURE. CONSEQUENTLY ONE OR BOTH OF THE PINS COULD LOOSEN FROM THE FLANGE OF THE FLEXIBLE COUPLING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IF ONE PIN IS LOOSE, FREE PLAY WOULD RESULT. IF BOTH PINS WORK LOOSE, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WOULD OCCUR. ALSO, THE SHAFT ASSEMBLY MAY NOT CONTAIN A METAL REINFORCEMENT BETWEEN ONE OR BOTH OF THE RIVET PINS AND THE RUBBER FLEXIBLE COUPLING. AS A RESULT, THE RUBBER FLEXIBLE COUPLING COULD TEAR AND PRODUCE A NOISE OR LOOSE FEELING IN THE STEERING SYSTEM.

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

78V199000BrakesSeptember 11, 1978 · 8,700 units

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL PROTECTIVE SHIELDS ON THE REBOUND BUMPER BRACKETS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

78V198000Electrical SystemSeptember 11, 1978 · 5,000 units

Defect

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER AND WASHER SYSTEM CONTAINS AN INCORRECT 6 AMP CIRCUIT BREAKER INSTEAD OF THE 8.25 AMP CIRCUIT BREAKER. IF THE SYSTEM IS HEAVILY LOADED, AS IN THE CASE OF A PARTIALLY DRY WINDSHIELD, THE MOTOR CURRENT MAY EXCEED THE 6 AMP BREAKER"S CAPACITY. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE BREAKER TO OPEN, WHICH WOULD RESULT IN WIPER/WASHER FAILURE.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSTALL THE CORRECT CIRCUIT BREAKER WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN LAS VEGAS AT LOW SPEED I HEARD A NOISE WHICH WAS AMPLIFIED WHEN CAR WAS DRIVING FASTER. WHEN I STOPED AND I CHECK A WHOLE SKIN OF THE TIRE WAS GONE. I WENT TO REPLACE IT AND WHEN THEY LIFT UP THE CAR ANOTHER TIRE HAD A BIG BUBBLE(12" LONG). I DONT REMEMBER IF A THIRD OR FORTH…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 22, 1985

AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAUSED THE STEERING COLUMN TO CATCH ON FIRE. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · fire

1979 Ford LTD — common questions

Is the 1979 Ford LTD reliable?

The record is thin — 3 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 LTD have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 1979 Ford LTD. 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.