VehicleVerdict

1979 Mercury Zephyr problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just one complaint on file for the 1979 Mercury Zephyr — 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.

1

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1979 compare to other Zephyr years?

Zephyr NHTSA complaints by model year, 1979 highlighted2 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 2 complaints1979: 1 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 2 complaints1994: 2 complaints
Zephyr NHTSA complaints by model year, 1979 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Zephyr years to avoid →

What are the most common 1979 Mercury Zephyr problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System1100%

Does the 1979 Mercury Zephyr 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“OWNER HAS TRIED SEVERAL MODELS OF GAS FILTERS THAT WOULD LEAK SEVERELY ONTO ENGINE.TT CONSUMER STATED THAT FUEL FILTER HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES, EACH FILTER LEAKED AT THE FACTORY ASSEMBLY JOINT.*JB ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System

1979 Mercury Zephyr — common questions

Is the 1979 Mercury Zephyr reliable?

The record is thin — 1 NHTSA complaint — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1979 Mercury Zephyr have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1979 Mercury Zephyr. 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.