1979 Ford Ranchero recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
4 safety recalls, most serious first
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. THE FILTER'S OUTLET CAP MAY NOT BE SECURELY CRIMPED TO THE HOUSING. THIS COULD RESULT IN A SEPARATION OF FILTER'S OUTLET CAP FROM THE HOUSING.
What could happen: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, A NO START CONDITION MAY RESULT AND FUEL MAY BE PUMPED ONTO THE GROUND. IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP DUE TO INADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, FUEL LEAKAGE MAY RESULT IN…
The fix: INTERCONTINENTAL WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING MARCH 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT INTERCONTINENTAL AT 800-451-2593.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1979 RANCHERO.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 08E019000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Summary: INTERCONTINENTAL AUTO PARTS IS RECALLING 1,937 FUEL FILTERS, P/NOS ALG 44/1 AND PUROLATOR F10024, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 14 AND FEBRUARY 13, 2008, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FILTER'S OUTLET CAP MAY NOT BE SECURELY CRIMPED TO THE HOUSING. THIS COULD RESULT IN A SEPARATION OF FILTER'S OUTLET CAP FROM THE HOUSING.
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, A NO START CONDITION MAY RESULT AND FUEL MAY BE PUMPED ONTO THE GROUND. IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP DUE TO INADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, FUEL LEAKAGE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: INTERCONTINENTAL WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING MARCH 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT INTERCONTINENTAL AT 800-451-2593.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO INTERCONTINENTAL AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
2. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. THE STEERING GEARS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED SECTOR SHAFTS FROM WHICH THE THREADED PORTIONS OF THE SHAFTS MAY FRACTURE AND SEPARATE. SHOULD THE SECTOR SHAFT FRACTURE, THE PITMAN ARM MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE SPLINED PORTION OF THE SECTOR SHAFT.
What could happen:
The fix: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY OR INSTALL A NEW SECTOR SHAFT IN THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1979 RANCHERO.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 78V269000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR
Summary: THE STEERING GEARS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED SECTOR SHAFTS FROM WHICH THE THREADED PORTIONS OF THE SHAFTS MAY FRACTURE AND SEPARATE. SHOULD THE SECTOR SHAFT FRACTURE, THE PITMAN ARM MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE SPLINED PORTION OF THE SECTOR SHAFT.
Consequence:
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY OR INSTALL A NEW SECTOR SHAFT IN THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: STEERING ASSEMBLY; GEARS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: DISENGAGEMENT WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION COULD RESULTIN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND AN ACCIDENT.
3. Wheels / tires
What's wrong, in plain English: A wheel or tire can fail while driving. DUE TO AN ERROR IN THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY COMPUTER BROADCAST PROGRAM, THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH 14X5.5 INCH WHEEL RIMS WHICH WERE INTENDED FOR USE ON PASSENGER CARS. THE TIRES WERE NOT MARKED WITH THE INFORMATION SPECIFIED BY FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS". AS A RESULT, A NON-COMPLIANCE EXISTS TO THIS STANDARD.
What could happen:
The fix: THE EXISTING 14X5.5 INCH WHEELS WILL BE REPLACED WITH 14X6.0 INCH WHEELS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1979 RANCHERO.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 78V237000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: WHEELS
Summary: DUE TO AN ERROR IN THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY COMPUTER BROADCAST PROGRAM, THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH 14X5.5 INCH WHEEL RIMS WHICH WERE INTENDED FOR USE ON PASSENGER CARS. THE TIRES WERE NOT MARKED WITH THE INFORMATION SPECIFIED BY FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS". AS A RESULT, A NON-COMPLIANCE EXISTS TO THIS STANDARD.
Consequence:
Remedy: THE EXISTING 14X5.5 INCH WHEELS WILL BE REPLACED WITH 14X6.0 INCH WHEELS.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS.SYSTEM: WHEELS; SINGLE MAG.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: USE OF WRONG SIZED WHEEL RIMS COULD IN SOME CASESRESULT IN PREMATURE TIRE WEAR WHICH COULD IN TURN CAUSE LOSS OF AIR FROM THETIRE, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
4. Seats
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INCORRECT WELD NUTS THAT ATTACH THE REAR PORTION OF THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT TRACK TO THE FLOOR PAN. THE INCORRECT NUTS HAVE AN OVERSIZE DIAMETER AND THREAD, AND UPON FRONT SEAT TRACK ANCHOR BOLT INSTALLATION, THE THREADS MAY HAVE BEEN STRIPPED.
What could happen:
The fix: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIR ANY STRIPPED WELD NUTS AND INSTALL LARGER SIZE BOLTS TO ANCHOR THE SEAT TRACK TO THE FLOOR AT NO COST TO OWNER.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1979 RANCHERO.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 79V013000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
Summary: THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INCORRECT WELD NUTS THAT ATTACH THE REAR PORTION OF THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT TRACK TO THE FLOOR PAN. THE INCORRECT NUTS HAVE AN OVERSIZE DIAMETER AND THREAD, AND UPON FRONT SEAT TRACK ANCHOR BOLT INSTALLATION, THE THREADS MAY HAVE BEEN STRIPPED.
Consequence:
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIR ANY STRIPPED WELD NUTS AND INSTALL LARGER SIZE BOLTS TO ANCHOR THE SEAT TRACK TO THE FLOOR AT NO COST TO OWNER.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: INTERIOR; FLOOR PAN ATTACHMENTS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THE FRONT SEAT CANDISENGAGE FROM FLOOR MOUNTING CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS PERSONALINJURY TO OCCUPANT.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Digital tire pressure gauge
- 1979 Ford Ranchero owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Visibility (wipers / glass) (1), Lights (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (2)
11/23/1998 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
WHEN PUSHING THE SWITCH TO ACTIVATE THE WINDSHIELD WIPWR/WASHER, THE BACK OF THE SWITCH FELL OFF, SHORTING OUT THE SYSTEM. *AK
03/23/1998 · Lights
PARKING LIGHT SWITCH DISCONNECTED AND LENSES FELL OFF WITH MINIMAL SHOCK. *AK