Model year record

1979 Ford Ranchero

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 2 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 79V013000

Seats: mid/rear assembly

Component
Seats: mid/rear assembly
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
4,000
Reported to NHTSA
1979-01-09
Owners notified
1979-03-20

Defect description

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 78V269000

Steering: gear box: shaft sector

Component
Steering: gear box: shaft sector
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
20,000
Reported to NHTSA
1978-12-21
Owners notified
1978-12-12

Defect description

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.

Manufacturer remedy

THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY OR INSTALL A NEW SECTOR SHAFT IN THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 78V237000

Wheels

Component
Wheels
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
800
Reported to NHTSA
1978-10-23
Owners notified
1978-11-30

Defect description

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.

Manufacturer remedy

THE EXISTING 14X5.5 INCH WHEELS WILL BE REPLACED WITH 14X6.0 INCH WHEELS.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Exterior lighting1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring1

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.