Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford Fairlane or the Ford Fairlane?

Based on 5-year routine maintenance labor at a $150/hr indie shop rate, the Ford Fairlane is cheaper to maintain — about $1,115 less over 60,000 miles. Parts cost is not included.

What's the labor difference between the 428ci V8 and the 200ci I6?

Across 31 common maintenance jobs, hours vary by drivetrain and engine layout. See the side-by-side table on this page for each job's labor hours and estimated cost.

Are there any active recalls on the Ford Fairlane or Ford Fairlane?

The Ford Fairlane has 0 open NHTSA recalls. The Ford Fairlane has 0 open recalls. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

1972 Ford Fairlane vs 1972 Ford Fairlane — Labor Times, Costs & Recalls

Specifications

Year

1972

Engine

428ci V8

200ci I6

Drivetrain

RWD

Transmission

automatic

manual

Fuel

gas

Cost of Ownership

5-Year Maintenance

$10,771

0.18 $/mi

★ WINNER

5-Year Maintenance

$9,656

0.16 $/mi

🏆

ADVANTAGEFord Fairlane — Saves you $1,115 over 5 years (10% less in routine maintenance labor)

Routine maintenance only. Cost = labor hours × $150/hr × estimated 5-yr frequency. Parts cost not included.

Maintenance Breakdown

Hours per common service. Lower is faster (and cheaper) at the shop.

Front Torque Box and Shock Tower Rust

— hrs$1,313 / 5yr

Oil & filter change

0.5 hrs$1,380 / 5yr

0.3 hrs$1,020 / 5yr

Tire rotation

0.5 hrs$600 / 5yr

Front brake pads

1.4 hrs$580 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$520 / 5yr

Rear brake pads

1.4 hrs$560 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$500 / 5yr

Timing Chain Stretch and Guide Failure (V8 engines)

— hrs$423 / 5yr

Differential fluid

1.2 hrs$440 / 5yr

1.0 hrs$380 / 5yr

Rear Leaf Spring Sag and Shackle Bushing Failure

— hrs$390 / 5yr

Brake fluid flush

1.0 hrs$330 / 5yr

0.8 hrs$270 / 5yr

Carburetor Tuning Issues (All engines)

— hrs$293 / 5yr

Wiper blades

0.3 hrs$300 / 5yr

0.2 hrs$240 / 5yr

12V battery

0.5 hrs$275 / 5yr

0.3 hrs$245 / 5yr

Cabin air filter

0.4 hrs$255 / 5yr

0.3 hrs$210 / 5yr

Distributor Advance Mechanism Seizure

— hrs$228 / 5yr

Steering Box Wear and Column Coupling Failure

— hrs$227 / 5yr

Spark plugs

1.0 hrs$230 / 5yr

0.8 hrs$200 / 5yr

Coolant flush

1.0 hrs$200 / 5yr

Fuel filter

0.6 hrs$240 / 5yr

0.3 hrs$150 / 5yr

Intake manifold gasket

3.6 hrs$189 / 5yr

3.5 hrs$185 / 5yr

Water pump

3.0 hrs$200 / 5yr

2.5 hrs$173 / 5yr

Oxygen sensor

1.8 hrs$195 / 5yr

1.5 hrs$173 / 5yr

Oil pan gasket

4.2 hrs$170 / 5yr

3.5 hrs$144 / 5yr

Engine air filter

0.4 hrs$180 / 5yr

0.2 hrs$120 / 5yr

Serpentine belt

0.7 hrs$140 / 5yr

0.6 hrs$125 / 5yr

Alternator

1.8 hrs$143 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$120 / 5yr

Valve cover gasket

1.8 hrs$132 / 5yr

1.5 hrs$114 / 5yr

Power steering flush

0.6 hrs$110 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$95 / 5yr

Ignition coil

1.0 hrs$92 / 5yr

0.8 hrs$80 / 5yr

Starter motor

1.8 hrs$94 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$76 / 5yr

PCV valve

0.5 hrs$95 / 5yr

0.3 hrs$65 / 5yr

Thermostat

1.0 hrs$67 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$77 / 5yr

Active Recalls

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

✓ Both vehicles are completely clear of open safety recalls.

Fluid Capacities

Ford Fairlane

brake · FMVSS 116 DOT 4

coolant10.00 qt · WSS-M97B51-A1

engine_oil5.00 qt · API SN

power_steering1.00 qt · Motorcraft MERCON V

rear_diff2.00 qt · API GL-5

transmission_auto11.00 qt · WSS-M2C922-A1

washer3.50 qt · All-season or winter-rated

Ford Fairlane

brake · FMVSS 116 DOT 4

coolant10.00 qt · WSS-M97B51-A1

engine_oil5.00 qt · API SN

power_steering1.00 qt · Motorcraft MERCON V

rear_diff2.00 qt · API GL-5

transmission_auto11.00 qt · WSS-M2C922-A1

washer3.50 qt · All-season or winter-rated

The Verdict

🏆

THE WINNER

1972 Ford Fairlane

200ci I6

Ford Fairlane is cheaper to maintain (saves ~$1,115 over 5 years)

Based on objective maintenance and recall data. Driving feel, looks, brand loyalty, and ownership experience are separate (and very valid) considerations.

Open the full dashboard for either truck

Labor times, torque specs, fluid capacities, DTC codes, repair procedures, recalls, common platform problems.