1980 Ford F100 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Equipment
What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. THE REINFORCEMENT FOR THE IN-BOX SPARE TIRE CARRIER MAY HAVE BEEN ATTACHED USING INCORRECT HEX HEAD BOLTS. IF THE CARRIER AND REINFORCEMENT ATTACHING BOLTS ARE INCORRECT, THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR THE TIRE SIDEWALL TO BE DAMAGED OR WEAKENED BY EXTENDED CONTACT WITH THE SHARP EDGES OF THE BOLT HEADS.
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL REPLACE BOLTS AND ANY DAMAGED SPARE TIRES AT NO COST 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 1980 F100.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 82V024000.
- 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: EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
Summary: THE REINFORCEMENT FOR THE IN-BOX SPARE TIRE CARRIER MAY HAVE BEEN ATTACHED USING INCORRECT HEX HEAD BOLTS. IF THE CARRIER AND REINFORCEMENT ATTACHING BOLTS ARE INCORRECT, THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR THE TIRE SIDEWALL TO BE DAMAGED OR WEAKENED BY EXTENDED CONTACT WITH THE SHARP EDGES OF THE BOLT HEADS.
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE BOLTS AND ANY DAMAGED SPARE TIRES AT NO COST TO OWNER.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICK-UP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL SIDE-MOUNTED, IN-BOXSPARE TIRE CARRIERS.SYSTEM: EQUIPMENT; SPARE TIRE CARRIERS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THE TIRE COULD FAIL WHILE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATIONCAUSING LOSS OF AIR AND A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
2. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. THE PARKING PAWL ACTUATING ROD IN THE TRANSMISSION MAY HAVE AN INSUFFICIENT OR CRACKED WELD. THIS CAN CAUSE THE PARK CAM END TO SEPARATE FROM THE ROD ITSELF, PREVENTING THE PARKING PAWL FROM ENGAGING THE PARKING GEAR WHEN THE SELECTOR IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PARKING PAWL ACTUATING ROD 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 1980 F100.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 79V261000.
- 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: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
Summary: THE PARKING PAWL ACTUATING ROD IN THE TRANSMISSION MAY HAVE AN INSUFFICIENT OR CRACKED WELD. THIS CAN CAUSE THE PARK CAM END TO SEPARATE FROM THE ROD ITSELF, PREVENTING THE PARKING PAWL FROM ENGAGING THE PARKING GEAR WHEN THE SELECTOR IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PARKING PAWL ACTUATING ROD FREE OF CHARGE.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT TRUCKS.SYSTEM: POWER TRAIN; PARK ACTUATING ROD.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF VEHICLE IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE AND THE EMERGENCYBRAKE IS NOT ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL FREE, POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY TOBYSTANDERS AND PERSONAL PROPERTY.
3. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITHOUT THE MIDSHIP FUEL TANK PROTECTIVE SHIELDS. AS A RESULT, THEY DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY", DUE TO EXCESSIVE FUEL SPILLAGE UPON FRONTAL IMPACT.
What could happen:
The fix: THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, A FUEL TANK SHIELD WILL BE INSTALLED AT NO 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 1980 F100.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 80V103000.
- 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: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
Summary: THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITHOUT THE MIDSHIP FUEL TANK PROTECTIVE SHIELDS. AS A RESULT, THEY DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY", DUE TO EXCESSIVE FUEL SPILLAGE UPON FRONTAL IMPACT.
Consequence:
Remedy: THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, A FUEL TANK SHIELD WILL BE INSTALLED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS, LIGHT, (4 X 2) EQUIPPED WITH 2-PIECE DRIVE SHAFTS.SYSTEM: FUEL; FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY, ATTACHMENTS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: FUEL SPILLAGE CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND PERSONALINJURY.NOTE: IT IS ADVISED THAT OWNERS REFRAIN FROM DRIVING THEIR VEHICLES UNTILDEFECT HAS BEEN REMEDIED.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Suspension (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)
12/17/2003 · Suspension
RADIUS ARM BROKE WHILE DRIVING. AS RESULT, DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL CAME OFF WITHOUT WARNING. *AK