RoadVitals

1978 Ford F-250

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
2
Latest Dec 17, 2009
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
10
Latest Aug 27, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1978 Ford F-250, most frequently naming the engine, fuel system and transmission categories. 10 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine133.3%
  • Fuel system133.3%
  • Transmission133.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

10 campaigns cover this model year

View all 10

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
07E064000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Aug 27, 2007
34,000 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.
The risk: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.
The remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.
FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
78V168000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

Aug 7, 1978
7 units potentially affected
The defect: THE DRIVER"S SIDE SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR MOUNTING BRACKET ASSEMBLY CONTAINS A WELD NUT WHICH WAS IMPROPERLY ATTACHED TO THE BRACKET. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES".
The remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPAIR THE LEFT SIDE SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR MOUNTING BRACKET ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
78V109000

STEERING:LINKAGES

May 15, 1978
77 units potentially affected
The defect: THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH STEERING LINKAGES ON WHICH COTTER PINS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON CASTELLATED NUTS TO SECURE THE STEERING DRAG LINK AND TIE-ROD CONNECTIONS. ALSO, THESE ATTACHING NUTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS. THIS COULD ALLOW LINKAGE SEPARATION.
The remedy: THE DEALER WILL PERFORM NECESSARY CORRECTIONS TO THE STEERING LINKAGE ATTACHMENTS.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Fuel systemTransmission
Filed Dec 17, 2009

WE HAVE A 1978 F250 AND ACCORDING TO WHAT I CAN TELL THERE ARE SEVERAL SAFETY RECALLS. HOW CAN I KNOW WHETHER OR NOT THEY WERE FIXED. THIS WAS BEFORE FORD KEPT COMPUTER RECORDS (MAYBE). ANY HELP YOU COULD BE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *TR THANKS MARK ASKREN

NHTSA ID
10296306
Incident
May 1, 2007
Mileage
120,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 24, 1996

WARPED ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD DUE TO DESIGN FLAW. *AK

NHTSA ID
505548
Incident
Jun 1, 1996

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford F-250 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2019001—
2018001—
2017001—
2015001—
20141420141.3
2013950142.7
20122661144.1
20112482149.2
2010730037.4
2009541035.9
20081958157.1
2007607253.9
20062217256.5
20051445254.1
20041537257.0
20031167261.8
20021567260.8
20012209465.4
200032610365.6
199958119463.9
1998569254.4
199730414363.2
19961765262.9
19951844260.9
199412310566.9
19931309359.0
19921197962.4
199110771165.4
199011171167.5
19891126565.3
1988623665.0
1987382569.2
1986382470.8
1985212369.7
1984103371.8
1983163—
1982030—
1981150—
1980030—
1979290—
1978Viewing2100—
1977260—
1976030—
1975060—
1974220—
1973050—
1972030—
1970100—
1969010—
1968110—
1967030—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.