Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1979 Bronco.
The 1979 Ford Bronco appears in the overview with only two owner complaints, most frequently tied to tires, and six recalls recorded. Its complaint history precedes the broader tracking period of 1990‑2024, a span that later saw complaint counts rise to 345 in 2022 and dip to just one in 1997. Consequently, the 1979 model year represents an early point in the lineage with a minimal complaint footprint, offering a baseline for assessing subsequent reliability trends.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 179.1 in |
| Overall width | 79.1 in |
| Overall height | 72.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 103.9 in |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Bronco of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Ranger XLT 2-door Convertible 5.8L V8 | 13.70 sec | 19.90 sec | 161 hp | 4x4 |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 1979 Ford Bronco sits at the tail end of a generation that, according to the federal record, experienced a sharp rise in complaints and recalls from 1990 through 1995, peaking at 122 complaints and 7 recalls in 1993. 1996 saw a slight dip to 107 complaints and 2 recalls, before a dramatic drop to single digits in 1997–1999, suggesting a gradual resolution of major issues. In 2021–2024 the trend resurges, with 217–345 complaints and 15–22 recalls, but these are unrelated to the 1979 model. The 1979 Bronco’s top complaint areas—Tires and Power Train—each had a single reported issue, and there were no recorded crash or fire complaints. Given the minimal complaint history for that year, it appears to be a comparatively reliable choice within its generation, making it a reasonable purchase if well maintained.
All 2 complaints on record, top 2 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
INTERCONTINENTAL AUTO PARTS IS RECALLING 1,937 FUEL FILTERS, P/NOS ALG 44/1 AND PUROLATOR F10024, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 14 AND FEBRUARY 13, 2008, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FILTER'S OUTLET CAP MAY… Remedy: INTERCONTINENTAL WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING MARCH 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT INTERCONTINENTAL AT 800-451-2593.
THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS IN WHICH THE PARKING PAWL WAS NOT HEAT-TREATED. DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION, A PARKING PAWL THAT HAS NOT BEEN HEAT-TREATED COULD BECOME DEFORMED OR… Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARKING PAWL WITH ONE THAT HAS BEEN HEAT-TREATED.
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 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.