1979 Ford Ranger problems

General information about Ford-Ranger
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list

The Ford Ranger is a compact or mid-size pickup marketed globally by Ford over a series of generations, varying between both in-house or outside development and manufacturing — and with a hiatus in North America from 2011–2018.

Debuting as a compact pickup in North America in 1982 for the 1983 model year, the Ranger was later introduced in some South American countries. From 1998 to 2011, the Ranger nameplate was used for models developed by Mazda for sale outside the North American market. In 2011, Ford introduced the first Ranger based on the T6 platform. Considered a mid-size pickup truck, the model was developed in-house by Ford Australia. In that same year, the North American-market Ranger was discontinued, leaving the T6 platform-based Ranger as the sole Ranger model worldwide.

For the 2019 model year, the Ranger was reintroduced in North America using the globally-marketed T6 model. It is manufactured at the Michigan Assembly Plant at Wayne, Michigan. The Ranger is smaller than the F-150 and larger than the Maverick in the Ford North American pickup truck range, while for markets outside the Americas it is typically the only Ford pickup offered for sale.

The second generation of the T6-based Ranger was released in 2021 for worldwide markets, using a revised T6 platform.

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Common 1979 Ford Ranger problems

The Ford Ranger 1979 is known for a few common problems that owners have reported. One of the most common issues is related to the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve. The EGR valve may fail the diaphragm side, causing a small vacuum leak, or the valve may hang if carboned and cause poor, unstable idle conditions. This issue can lead to performance problems, especially when accelerating.

Another common problem is related to the oil sending unit. Some owners have reported seeing smoke coming from the back of the motor, which they suspected was due to a bad EGR valve. However, upon closer inspection, they found that the oil sending unit was the culprit. This issue can cause oil to burn off, leading to smoke and potential engine damage if not addressed promptly.

The front cab mounts and frame over the rear axle are also known to cause problems in the 1979 Ford Ranger. These areas should be checked for solidity, as any issues can lead to more significant problems down the road.

Rust is another common issue with the 1979 Ford Ranger, particularly under the bed and in hard-to-reach areas. This can lead to expensive repairs and should be thoroughly inspected before purchasing a 1979 Ford Ranger.

The brakes can also be a problem area in the 1979 Ford Ranger. Some owners have reported issues with the brake pedal going halfway down before the brakes start doing their job, even after having the pads, rotors, and master cylinder replaced. This issue can be caused by a faulty booster or vacuum leaks and should be addressed promptly to ensure safe driving.

In summary, the 1979 Ford Ranger is known for common problems related to the EGR valve, oil sending unit, front cab mounts, frame over the rear axle, rust, and brakes. These issues can lead to performance problems, safety concerns, and expensive repairs if not addressed promptly. Potential buyers should thoroughly inspect these areas before purchasing a 1979 Ford Ranger.

What year was the Ford Ranger bad?

A: Yes, some Ford Ranger model years have proven less reliable than others. It's best to avoid the following years: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011, and 2019. These years have been subject to numerous customer complaints and issues.

What is the most common problem with the Ford Ranger?

Common engine problems on a Ford Ranger include a turbo failure and engine crank damage which causes excessive overheating, dark smoke from the exhaust, and a dip in fuel economy. Engine problems can land your car in serious trouble. Thus, it is always better to consult a mechanic right after you've spotted any faults.

What is the best year for Ford Ranger pickups?

Before diving deep into configurations and trims, here are the overall 5 best used Ford Ranger model years to buy used.

2009 Ford Ranger. The 2009 Ford Ranger stands against the test of time even over a decade later. ...
2010 Ford Ranger. ...
2020 Ford Ranger. ...
2021 Ford Ranger. ...
2022 Ford Ranger.

Is A Ford Ranger a reliable car?

The Ford Ranger has received above-average reliability ratings from JD Power and Consumer Reports. RepairPal ranks the used Ford Ranger with a 4.0/5 reliability ranking, which is #3 in its class. With few recalls and consumer complaints in its history, the used Ford Ranger is a reliable truck for sale near you.

What is the common problem of Ford Ranger?

Intermittent crankshaft sensor failure is a common problem with a Ford Ranger. A dip in fuel efficiency, engine misfires, and sluggish acceleration are some of the aftermaths of a faulty crankshaft sensor. There is also a possibility that your Ranger won't start due to a faulty crankshaft sensor.

How reliable is an old Ford Ranger?

What year did Ford Ranger have problems?

Ford Ranger recent recalls

Affected model dates	Issue
01/09/18 - 31/05/19	Heavy loading could cause the rear differential to fail
01/12/16 - 28/02/19	Rear silencer may detach from the exhaust pipe creating an accident risk
01/01/04-31/12/06	Gas generator on front airbag may be defective which could cause uncontrolled inflation

What is the best years for Ford Ranger to avoid?

1979 Ford Ranger car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ford Ranger problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Vehicle speed control problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1979 Ford Ranger vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1979 Ford Ranger complaints

The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1979 Ford Ranger.

2001-02-23

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Summary: IDLING SPRING UNDERNEATH GAS PEDAL KEEPS BREAKING CONTINUOUSLY DUE TO POOR DESIGN. *AK

Add Complaint

Additional sources

More sources of information about 1979 Ford Ranger problems:

79 F-150 Common Problems? | Pirate 4x4

https://www.pirate4x4.com/threads/79-f-150-common-problems.412669/

Nov 14, 2005 ... 79 F-150 Common Problems? Jump to ... 89 Ranger, 2.9, 6" lift, 35" baja claws 92 ... It will be a ford 9 inch rear, and a dana 44 front, if stock.

1978-1979 Bronco a good investment? - Full Size Ford Bronco Forum

https://www.fullsizebronco.com/threads/1978-1979-bronco-a-good-investment.292386/

Mar 4, 2014 ... Do Broncos from these years have any well-known problems that make them live in mechanic shops? Or do you all think my main expense (for a ...

1979 F250 fuel problem - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1504582-1979-f250-fuel-problem.html

Aug 22, 2017 ... 1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks - 1979 F250 fuel problem - Alright so I got this f250 drove fine the first week I had it no ...