Worst Vehicles of 1979
The most problematic 1979 model year vehicles ranked by NHTSA complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.
How scoring works: Each complaint counts as 1 point, each recall as 5 points, and each federal investigation as 10 points. Click any vehicle to view its full reliability profile.
#VehicleComplaintsRecallsInvest.TSBsScore
1#11979 Flxible Transit Coach
0 complaints13 recalls
0130065
#21979 Dodge Sport Utility
52 complaints1 recall
5210057
#31979 Ford Mustang
0 complaints7 recalls2 invest.2 TSBs
072255
#41979 Volkswagen Rabbit
0 complaints7 recalls2 invest.
072055
#51979 Mercury Capri
0 complaints7 recalls2 invest.
072055
#61979 Ford F-150
2 complaints10 recalls
2100052
#71979 Oldsmobile Cutlass
2 complaints8 recalls1 invest.
281052
#81979 Ford LTD
3 complaints9 recalls
390048
#91979 Ford F100
2 complaints9 recalls
290047
#101979 Ford F-250
1 complaint9 recalls
190046
#111979 Chevrolet Malibu
4 complaints6 recalls1 invest.
461044
#121979 Ford Econoline
1 complaint8 recalls
180041
#131979 Buick Century
0 complaints6 recalls1 invest.
061040
#141979 Freightliner Freightliner
0 complaints6 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
061140
#151979 Buick Regal
3 complaints5 recalls1 invest.
351038
#161979 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck
2 complaints3 recalls2 invest.1 TSBs
232137
#171979 Volkswagen Scirocco
1 complaint7 recalls
170036
#181979 Ford E-150
0 complaints5 recalls1 invest.
051035
#191979 Ford Club Wagon
0 complaints7 recalls
070035
#201979 Western WS Series
0 complaints7 recalls
070035
#211979 Pontiac Grand Prix
0 complaints5 recalls1 invest.
051035
#221979 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
0 complaints5 recalls1 invest.
051035
#231979 Western WL Series
0 complaints7 recalls
070035
#241979 Pontiac Lemans
0 complaints5 recalls1 invest.
051035
#251979 Audi 5000
0 complaints3 recalls2 invest.
032035
#261979 Ford E-350
0 complaints3 recalls2 invest.
032035
#271979 Ford Bronco
2 complaints6 recalls
260032
#281979 Ford E-250
1 complaint4 recalls1 invest.
141031
#291979 Chevrolet Camaro
6 complaints3 recalls1 invest.
631031
#301979 Chevrolet C20
0 complaints4 recalls1 invest.
041030
#311979 Chevrolet El Camino
0 complaints4 recalls1 invest.
041030
#321979 GMC Caballero
0 complaints4 recalls1 invest.
041030
#331979 Mack RWL
0 complaints6 recalls22 TSBs
0602230
#341979 Ford F-350
0 complaints4 recalls1 invest.
041030
#351979 Chevrolet C30
0 complaints4 recalls1 invest.
041030
#361979 Chevrolet C10
4 complaints1 recall2 invest.
412029
#371979 Pontiac Firebird
2 complaints3 recalls1 invest.
231027
#381979 Peterbilt Peterbilt
2 complaints3 recalls1 invest.
231027
#391979 GMC GMC
2 complaints3 recalls1 invest.
231027
#401979 Chevrolet Caprice
6 complaints4 recalls
640026
#411979 Western RWS Series
0 complaints5 recalls
050025
#421979 Mack RWS
0 complaints5 recalls22 TSBs
0502225
#431979 Chevrolet K30
0 complaints3 recalls1 invest.
031025
#441979 Mack R Series
0 complaints5 recalls22 TSBs
0502225
#451979 Kenworth Kenworth
0 complaints3 recalls1 invest.
031025
#461979 Chevrolet K20
0 complaints3 recalls1 invest.
031025
#471979 Western RWL Series
0 complaints5 recalls
050025
#481979 International Harvester S Series
0 complaints5 recalls
050025
#491979 Mack CF
0 complaints5 recalls22 TSBs
0502225
#501979 Ford Granada
0 complaints5 recalls
050025
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Check Your CarBased on 2.1M+ owner complaints
Data sourced from NHTSA complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.