1979 Ford E250 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

4 safety recalls list the 1979 Ford E250, and owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

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4 safety recalls for the 1979 Ford E250

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

1. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)

   NHTSA 79V152000 Reported June 19, 1979 75,000 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

   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.

   Remedy: The dealer will inspect front brake hoses and replace those lacking the proper clearance with current production hoses, without charge to owner.

2. Underbody shields (structure)

   NHTSA 79V153000 Reported June 19, 1979 12,000 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

   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.

   Remedy: The dealer will install the necessary frame mounted heat shield, if missing.

3. Pedals and linkages (service brakes)

   NHTSA 79V117000 Reported May 15, 1979 82,000 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

   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.

4. Seat belts: rear/other

   NHTSA 78V214000 Reported October 5, 1978 874 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

   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.

   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.

1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1979 Ford E250 have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA. Complaints peaked in 2003 with 1 filed that year.

Most-reported components

• Engine and engine cooling: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1

What owners are reporting

“The exhaust manifold is cracked on the right side which causes the exhaust gases to enter the engine compartment. *ak”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 14, 2003 · Engine and engine cooling

Compare Ford E250 model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Ford E250 model year in NHTSA's database.

Checking a specific 1979 Ford E250

Other Ford models

• F-15037,961 complaints
• Explorer34,566 complaints
• Escape27,430 complaints
• Fusion22,405 complaints
• Focus22,096 complaints
• Taurus18,159 complaints
• Windstar14,158 complaints
• Edge14,065 complaints

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.