- The problem
- 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.
- The fix
- The dealer will install the necessary frame mounted heat shield, if missing.
Vehicle safety record
1979 Ford E250 Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1979 Ford E250 have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 4 recalls, the latest in June 1979 for the underbody shields.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical E250 year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1979 Ford E250 recalls 4
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The fix
- The dealer will inspect front brake hoses and replace those lacking the proper clearance with current production hoses, without charge to owner.
- The problem
- 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.
- The fix
- Dealer will replace the suspect brake retaining pin.
- The problem
- 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.
- 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 owners say
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No complaints about the 1979 Ford E250 yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Ford E250: every year compared
All E250 years1979 Ford E250 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 Ford E250 | 0 | 4 | F | |
| 1979 Ford Bronco | 2 | 6 | A | Compare |
| 1979 Ford All Full Size | 1 | 1 | - | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1979 Ford E250
Does the 1979 Ford E250 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 1979 Ford E250: underbody shields (June 1979); hoses, lines / piping, and fittings (June 1979); pedals and linkages (May 1979); rear / other (October 1978). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 1979 Ford E250 had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1979 Ford E250 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 14 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Ford E250 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
What should I do if my 1979 Ford E250 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data