The 1980 Ford F-150 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 45,100 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the exterior lighting. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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 DAMAGED OR WEAKENED BY EXTENDED CONTACT WITH THE SHARP EDGES OF THE BOLT HEADS.
DEALER WILL REPLACE BOLTS AND ANY DAMAGED SPARE TIRES AT NO COST TO OWNER.
THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITHOUT THE MIDSHIP FUEL TANK PROTECTIVE SHIELDS. AS A RESULT, THEY DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY", DUE TO EXCESSIVE FUEL SPILLAGE UPON FRONTAL IMPACT.
THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, A FUEL TANK SHIELD WILL BE INSTALLED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH A FRONT PROTECTIVE SHIELD FOR THE MID-SHIP FUEL TANK. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY". IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL COLLISION, EXCESSIVE FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.
DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL THE REQUIRED MID-SHIP FUEL TANK SHIELD, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
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.
DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE BOTH REAR AXLE SHAFTS AT NO COST TO OWNER.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Multiple failures, drive link, bushings, bearings. Costly to repair. *bf *tc”
“Lug nuts were too loose causing them to break off, esulting in wheel falling off. (ohio state police report)”
“Sometimes when driving at night the headlights go off and sometimes go on somtime took truck to repair shop can't find problem . *ak”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1980 Ford F-150 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.