1979 Ford E250 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
4 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Body / structure
What's wrong, in plain English: Body panels, frame, doors, hood, trunk or latches. CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY NOT CONTAIN THE SPECIFIED BODY MOUNTED HEAT SHIELDS. THIS COULD CAUSE HIGH FLOOR PAN TEMPERATURES WHEN THE ENGINE IS IDLED FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME. FOULED SPARK PLUGS OR OTHER ENGINE CONDITIONS COULD FURTHER INCREASE EXHAUST TEMPERATURES.
What could happen:
The fix: THE DEALER WILL INSTALL THE NECESSARY FRAME MOUNTED HEAT SHIELD, IF MISSING.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1979 E250.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 79V153000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
Summary: CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY NOT CONTAIN THE SPECIFIED BODY MOUNTED HEAT SHIELDS. THIS COULD CAUSE HIGH FLOOR PAN TEMPERATURES WHEN THE ENGINE IS IDLED FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME. FOULED SPARK PLUGS OR OTHER ENGINE CONDITIONS COULD FURTHER INCREASE EXHAUST TEMPERATURES.
Consequence:
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSTALL THE NECESSARY FRAME MOUNTED HEAT SHIELD, IF MISSING.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 300 AND 460 CID ENGINES.SYSTEM: EXHAUST; BODY MOUNTED HEAT SHIELDS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THESE HIGH TEMPERATURES COULD CAUSE THE REAR FLOORCOVERINGS TO SMOULDER, RESULTING IN SMOKE DAMAGE AND PERSONAL INJURY.
2. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. THE INCORRECTLY INSTALLED LEFT FRONT BRAKE HOSES MAY ALLOW FOR CONTACT BETWEEN THE FRONT BRAKE HOSES AND THE FRONT TIRES WHEN THE FRONT WHEELS ARE IN FULL RIGHT OR LEFT TURN POSITIONS. IF CONTACT IS MADE, THE HOSE COULD WEAR AND ALLOW BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT.
What could happen:
The fix: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT FRONT BRAKE HOSES AND REPLACE THOSE LACKING THE PROPER CLEARANCE WITH CURRENT PRODUCTION HOSES, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1979 E250.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 79V152000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Summary: THE INCORRECTLY INSTALLED LEFT FRONT BRAKE HOSES MAY ALLOW FOR CONTACT BETWEEN THE FRONT BRAKE HOSES AND THE FRONT TIRES WHEN THE FRONT WHEELS ARE IN FULL RIGHT OR LEFT TURN POSITIONS. IF CONTACT IS MADE, THE HOSE COULD WEAR AND ALLOW BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT.
Consequence:
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT FRONT BRAKE HOSES AND REPLACE THOSE LACKING THE PROPER CLEARANCE WITH CURRENT PRODUCTION HOSES, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS.SYSTEM: SERVICE BRAKES; FRONT BRAKE HOSES.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: FRONT WHEEL BRAKING CAPABILITY COULD BE LOST, CAUSINGAN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCES AND, POSSIBLY, AN ACCIDENT.NOTE: OPERATOR MAY BE ALERTED TO LOSS OF FRONT BRAKES BY THE ACTIVATION OF AWARNING LIGHT. SHOULD THIS LIGHT APPEAR, PROCEED WITH CAUTION AND HAVE THEVEHICLE SERVICED IMMEDIATELY.
3. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR THE OUTBOARD SEAT BELTS TO BECOME TRAPPED IN THE SEAT-BED PIVOTING MECHANISM. SHOULD THE BELT BECOME TRAPPED IN THE MECHANISM WHEN THE SEAT IS CONVERTED TO A BED, THE BELT MAY BECOME CUT OR FRAYED.
What could happen:
The fix: THE DEALER WILL INSTALL SEAT BELT SHIELDS ON THE FOLDING SEAT/BED PIVOTING MECHANISM AND REPLACE THE OUTBOARD SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES IF DAMAGED, FREE OF CHARGE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1979 E250.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 78V214000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
Summary: ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR THE OUTBOARD SEAT BELTS TO BECOME TRAPPED IN THE SEAT-BED PIVOTING MECHANISM. SHOULD THE BELT BECOME TRAPPED IN THE MECHANISM WHEN THE SEAT IS CONVERTED TO A BED, THE BELT MAY BECOME CUT OR FRAYED.
Consequence:
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSTALL SEAT BELT SHIELDS ON THE FOLDING SEAT/BED PIVOTING MECHANISM AND REPLACE THE OUTBOARD SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES IF DAMAGED, FREE OF CHARGE.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL SEAT-BEDS.SYSTEM: INTERIOR; SEAT BED SEAT BELT (SHOULDER).CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IN THE EVENT OF SUDDEN BRAKING OR VEHICLE COLLISION,THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE SEAT OCCUPANT AND THE RISK OFPERSONAL INJURY IS INCREASED.
4. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. 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.
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT BRAKE RETAINING PIN.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1979 E250.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 79V117000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
Summary: 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.
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT BRAKE RETAINING PIN.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: SERVICE BRAKES; HYDRAULIC LINKAGE, PEDAL.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: DISENGAGEMENT OF THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD RESULT IN TOTALLOSS OF SERVICE BRAKES, WHICH COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND ANACCIDENT.NOTE: THE PARKING BRAKE WILL REMAIN OPERATIONAL EVEN IF SERVICE BRAKES ARELOST.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (1)
07/14/2003 · Engine
THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS CRACKED ON THE RIGHT SIDE WHICH CAUSES THE EXHAUST GASES TO ENTER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *AK