Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1979 E-250 Econoline.
The 1979 Ford E-250 Econoline is a full‑size van that, according to owner records, generated just a single complaint—centered on the engine and engine cooling system—while being subject to four recalls. This low complaint count places the 1979 model year at the favorable end of the Econoline’s reliability spectrum, indicating that despite the recall actions, owners reported few problems. Overall, the year reflects a modest issue footprint compared with other years in the line.
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Owner complaints about the 1979 Ford E-250 Econoline dominate in one area — the engine & engine cooling, 1 of 1 reports (100%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 4 recall campaigns target the engine & engine cooling, 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 engine & engine cooling 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 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY NOT CONTAIN THE SPECIFIED BODY MOUNTED HEAT SHIELDS. THIS COULD CAUSE HIGH FLOOR PAN TEMPERATURES WHEN THE ENGINE IS IDLED FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME. FOULED SPARK PLUGS OR OTHER ENGINE CONDITIONS… Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSTALL THE NECESSARY FRAME MOUNTED HEAT SHIELD, IF MISSING.
THE INCORRECTLY INSTALLED LEFT FRONT BRAKE HOSES MAY ALLOW FOR CONTACT BETWEEN THE FRONT BRAKE HOSES AND THE FRONT TIRES WHEN THE FRONT WHEELS ARE IN FULL RIGHT OR LEFT TURN POSITIONS. IF CONTACT IS MADE, THE HOSE COULD… Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT FRONT BRAKE HOSES AND REPLACE THOSE LACKING THE PROPER CLEARANCE WITH CURRENT PRODUCTION HOSES, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
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.