1980 Ford Econoline recalls & complaints

1. Fuel system

What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.

What could happen: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.

The fix: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1980 ECONOLINE.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 07E064000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

2. Wheels / tires

What's wrong, in plain English: A wheel or tire can fail while driving. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH WHEEL ASSEMBLIES THAT MAY HAVE CRACKS NEAR THE BOLT HOLES IN THE WHEEL DISC. DURING VEHICLE USE, THE CRACKS COULD GRADUALLY INCREASE AND RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL AND TIRE ASSEMBLY FROM THE VEHICLE.

What could happen:

The fix: DEALER WILL INSPECT THE WHEEL DISC DATE CODE AND REPLACE THOSE WHEELS INDICATING AN OCTOBER 18, 1979 DATE OF MANUFACTURE.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1980 ECONOLINE.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 80V072000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

3. 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

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1980 ECONOLINE.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 79V261000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

4. Brakes

What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED BY THE SUPPLIER. THESE ASSEMBLIES, BOTH RH AND LH, WERE INCORRECTLY BUILT WITH THE FITTINGS MISORIENTED BY 90 DEGREES. THIS COULD CAUSE CHAFING OF THE BRAKE HOSE THROUGH CONTACT WITH THE ADJACENT TIRE DURING FULL TURNS. CONTINUED CHAFING COULD RESULT IN A BRAKE FLUID LEAK.

What could happen:

The fix: DEALER WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSES AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE ONE OR BOTH HOSES AT NO CHARGE.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1980 ECONOLINE.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 80V120000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Most complained-about parts: Engine (1), Vehicle Speed Control (1).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.