1979 Ford F250: complaints, problems and recalls

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1979 FORD F250. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH DUAL FUEL TANKS, AND BOTH WERE LEAKING EXCESSIVE FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE SINCE THE PART WAS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED FOR THAT SPECIFIC MODEL YEAR. THE TECHNICIAN DISENGAGED ONE OF THE FUEL TANKS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10402861 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 1978-09-11 (September 11, 1978)

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DO NOT CONTAIN A FUEL TANK SHIELD AT THE FRONT RIGHT CORNER OF THE MID-SHIP FUEL TANK. IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL IMPACT, EXCESSIVE FUEL SPILLAGE FROM THE FUEL TANK MAY OCCUR. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY".

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL THE NECESSARY FUEL TANK SHIELD WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

Reported: 1978-09-15 (September 15, 1978)

THESE TRANSMISSIONS MAY CONTAIN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED PARKING PAWL ACTUATING RODS. CONSEQUENTLY, THE UNHARDENED CAM SURFACE OF THESE RODS CAN ALLOW THE ROD TO DEFORM DURING USE WITH RESULTANT INCREASE IN SHIFT EFFORTS AND DIFFICULTY IN RELEASING THE PARKING PAWL AND ENGAGING THE PARKING GEAR.

Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL ACTUATING ROD WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

Reported: 1978-11-27 (November 27, 1978)

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS IN WHICH THE PARKING PAWL WAS NOT HEAT-TREATED. DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION, A PARKING PAWL THAT HAS NOT BEEN HEAT-TREATED COULD BECOME DEFORMED OR WORN TO THE POINT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT LOCK IN "PARK". AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL FREE IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT SET THE PARKING BRAKE WHEN PARKING OR LEAVING VEHICLE UNATTENDED.

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARKING PAWL WITH ONE THAT HAS BEEN HEAT-TREATED.

Reported: 1979-01-15 (January 15, 1979)

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, "WINDSHIELD MOUNTING", IN THAT SOME OF THE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITHOUT THE SPECIFIED WINDSHIELD WEATHERSTRIP RETAINING COMPONENTS.

Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSTALL THE WINDSHIELD WEATHERSTRIP RETAINING COMPONENTS AT NO COST TO OWNER.

Reported: 1979-01-29 (January 29, 1979)

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED STEERING ARM KNUCKLES. SHOULD AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED STEERING ARM KNUCKLE FRACTURE AND SEPARATE, THE STEERING LINKAGE TIE ROD MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE KNUCKLE.

Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT FOR CRACKING IN THE STEERING ARM KNUCKLES ON ALL VEHICLES AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM FREE OF CHARGE.

Reported: 1979-01-26 (January 26, 1979)

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITHOUT A FUEL TANK SHIELD AT THE FRONT RIGHT CORNER OF THE MIDSHIP FUEL TANK. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY". IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT, EXCESSIVE FUEL SPILLAGE COULD RESULT.

Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSTALL THE REQUIRED FUEL TANK SHIELD WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

Reported: 1979-05-15 (May 15, 1979)

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.

Reported: 1979-11-02 (November 2, 1979)

DIMENSIONAL DIFFERENCES IN THE 1980 VERSUS THE 1979 ASSEMBLIES MAY ALLOW THE INNER BRAKE LINING/SHOE TO MOVE OUTWARD TO A POSITION WHERE IT IS NO LONGER RETAINED IN THE SHOE SLOT WHEN THE FRONT BRAKE INNER LININGS BECOME WORN TO THE POINT OF NEEDING REPLACEMENT. THE INNER BRAKE SHOE COULD THEN WEDGE BETWEEN THE ROTOR AND SPINDLE, POSSIBLY CAUSING A SUDDEN LOCK-UP OF ONE FRONT WHEEL. THIS CAN OCCUR WITHOUT BRAKE APPLICATION AND WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT STEERING CONTROL. THESE DIMENSIONAL DIFFERENCES COULD ALSO ALLOW ADDITIONAL TRAVEL OF THE BRAKE PISTON SUCH THAT A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID FROM THE FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM MAY OCCUR. THIS WOULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.

Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE HUB AND ROTOR ASSEMBLIES AND SPINDLE SEALS.