Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1980 E-150 Econoline.
The 1980 Ford E-150 Econoline is characterized by a reliability profile showing just three total owner complaints, with suspension standing out as the top complaint area alongside four manufacturer recalls. This model year sits among the lighter-documented entries in the reliability history, registering minimal owner-reported friction despite the specific suspension focus and recall activity. The sparse complaint volume positions this year as a relatively quiet data point in the model's timeline, offering researchers a glimpse of ownership experience defined by limited systemic grievances rather than widespread component failures.
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | Front A/C only, 3.25; front and rear A/C, 4.00. lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 68 |
| Oil Capacity | Front A/C only, 9.00; front and rear A/C, 10.00. oz |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Owner complaints about the 1980 Ford E-150 Econoline dominate in one area — the suspension, 1 of 3 reports (33%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 4 recall campaigns target the suspension, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the suspension pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.
All 3 complaints on record, top 3 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH REAR AXLE SHAFTS (RIGHT OR LEFT) THAT DID NOT RECEIVE PROPER HEAT TREATMENT OF THE BEARING JOURNALS. Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE BOTH REAR AXLE SHAFTS AT NO COST TO OWNER.
THE REINFORCEMENT FOR THE IN-BOX SPARE TIRE CARRIER MAY HAVE BEEN ATTACHED USING INCORRECT HEX HEAD BOLTS. IF THE CARRIER AND REINFORCEMENT ATTACHING BOLTS ARE INCORRECT, THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR THE TIRE SIDEWALL TO BE… Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE BOLTS AND ANY DAMAGED SPARE TIRES AT NO COST TO OWNER.
Showing 3 of 3 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9747 | 1997-02-17 | Structure | FRAME- RIVET REPLACEMENT WITH BOLTS- SERVICE TIPS. *JD |
| 97310 | 1997-02-03 | Suspension | NOISE- "POPPING/CREAKING"- FRONT FRAME OR SUSPENSION BRACKETS- FRAME- "POPPING/CREAKING"… |
| 9597 | 1995-05-01 | Suspension | UNKNOWN |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.