1979 Ford L Series (heavy) Recalls, Complaints & Specs
3 safety recalls list the 1979 Ford L Series (heavy). Check your own VIN below.
- 1972
- 1973
- 1974
- 1975
- 1976
- 1977
- 1978
- 1979
- 1980
- 1981
- 1982
- 1987
- 1991
3 safety recalls for the 1979 Ford L Series (heavy)
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Vehicle speed control
The involved vehicles do not conform to federal motor vehicle standard no. 124, "accelerator control systems", due to failure of the throttle to return completely to idle under certain conditions with one of the two accelerator control return springs inoperative.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and modify the throttle to meet the requirements of the standard.
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Multiple axle (suspension)
The optional tandem suspension assembly may have been installed using a standard beam end adapter kit, rather than the required special kit. Progressive deterioration could occur to the adapter to beam end bushing joint, possibly resulting in fracture of the beam to axle attaching bolts.
Remedy: The incorrect beam adapters will be replaced on new units and beam end adapters and bushings will be installed on units in service, free of charge.
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Service brakes, air: controls, pedals and linkages
Use of an alternate aluminum alloy which has a lower strength in hot state, may allow cracking of brake pedal levers. Repeated braking or high brake pedal loading may result in complete fracture which would prevent application of the service brakes.
Remedy: Brake pedal levers will be replaced at no cost to owner.
No owner complaints on file
NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 1979 Ford L Series (heavy). For context, the average model year in NHTSA's database has dozens; a zero can mean a reliable vehicle, a rare one, or both.
Compare Ford L Series (heavy) model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Ford L Series (heavy) model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 Ford L Series (heavy) | 1 | 0 |
| 1973 Ford L Series (heavy) | 1 | 0 |
| 1974 Ford L Series (heavy) | 2 | 0 |
| 1975 Ford L Series (heavy) | 2 | 0 |
| 1976 Ford L Series (heavy) | 1 | 0 |
| 1977 Ford L Series (heavy) | 1 | 0 |
| 1978 Ford L Series (heavy) | 2 | 1 |
| 1979 Ford L Series (heavy) | 3 | 0 |
| 1980 Ford L Series (heavy) | 2 | 0 |
| 1981 Ford L Series (heavy) | 1 | 0 |
| 1982 Ford L Series (heavy) | 1 | 0 |
| 1987 Ford L Series (heavy) | 1 | 0 |
| 1991 Ford L Series (heavy) | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 1979 Ford L Series (heavy)
How do I know if my 1979 Ford L Series (heavy) has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 1979 Ford L Series (heavy); your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Ford dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 79V066000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
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.