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1978 Ford F-150Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 4 owner complaints about the 1978 Ford F-150, most often about the power train. It is covered by 9 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls9Free fix at dealersOwner complaints41 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem2Power train

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 3, 2002. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1978 Ford F-150 has problems

4 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train21
Steering20
Electrical system20
Fuel system, gasoline10
Fuel system, other10
Suspension10
Engine and engine cooling10
Exterior lighting10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

9 recalls

1978 Ford F-150 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Show 5 more recalls

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1978 vs. every other F-150 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the F-150 median. How we score

'73'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What F-150 owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

VEHICLE AT INSPECTION STATION. VEHICLE WAS PARKED & MECHANIC WAS CHECKING BRAKE FLUID. VEHICLE SUDDENLY JUMPED OUT OF PARK AND WENT INTO REVERSE. DOOR WAS BENT TOWARDS THE FRONT OF VEHICLE & THEN SWUNG BACK & CLOSED. VEHICLE WENT ACROSS THE STREET & STRUCK LIGHT POST. NO INJURIES. DRIVER'S DOOR…
Complaint 835342 · Mar 1, 1999

Own a 1978 F-150?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.