RoadVitals

1978 Ford Fairmont Recalls

Safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA that cover this model year

Data refreshed

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
Recall campaignsA 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
Newest Aug 27, 2007
Carrying an NHTSA advisoryCampaigns where NHTSA told owners not to drive the vehicle, or to park it outside, until the repair is done.
0
Open 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
1 investigation on file

Recall campaigns

10 campaigns cover this model year — what the defect is, what it could cause, and what the remedy is

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
78V203000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

Sep 21, 1978
218,500 units potentially affected
The defect: THE INVOLVED VEHICLES CONTAIN EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS THAT UTILIZE A PULSE AIR REED VALVE TO PERMIT AIR FLOW FROM THE AIR CLEANER TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD ON NEGATIVE PRESSURE PULSATIONS. THESE REED VALVES MAY FAIL UNDER COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, CAUSING A BACKFLOW OF EXHAUST GAS INTO THE AIR CLEANER AND FUEL INDUCTION SYSTEM ON POSITIVE EXHAUST PULSES. THIS CAUSES AN OVERLY RICH AIR/FUEL MIXTURE, REDUCED FUEL ECONOMY AND REDUCED ENGINE PERFORMANCE. CONTINUED VEHICLE OPERATION MAY RESULT IN ENGINE STALLING OR OVERHEATING OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.
The remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PULSE AIR SYSTEM REED VALVE AND SILENCER WITHOUT CHARGE.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
78V167000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

Aug 7, 1978
400,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE WINDSHIELD WIPER DRIVE LINKAGE ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY FRACTURE DUE TO METAL FATIGUE AS A RESULT OF REPEATED FLEXING OF THE DRIVE ARM ACROSS A STRESS SENSITIVE AREA. THIS CONDITION WILL RENDER THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM INOPERATIVE.
The remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE WITHOUT COST TO OWNER.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
78V150000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Jun 27, 1978
180 units potentially affected
The defect: AN IMPROPER TRANSMISSION SHIFT BRACKET WAS INSTALLED WHICH, BECAUSE OF ITS DESIGN, COULD CONTACT AND ABRADE THE FUEL HOSE. FUEL LEAKAGE AND POSSIBLE ACCUMULATION OF FUEL ON A SURFACE BENEATH A PARKED VEHICLE COULD RESULT.
The remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT BRACKET AND ITS RELATED PARTS, INCLUDING THE FUEL HOSE IF FOUND NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
78V144000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

Jun 19, 1978
358 units potentially affected
The defect: TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL RODS WERE INSTALLED THAT WERE INTENDED FOR USE WITH THE STEERING COLUMNS OF A PRIOR DESIGN LEVEL. ATTACHMENT OF THE SHIFT CONTROL ROD WITH THE STEERING COLUMN SHIFT LEVER GROMMET WILL ALLOW RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THESE PARTS. CONTINUED USAGE COULD RESULT IN GROMMET WEAR AND DETERIORATION OF THE SHIFT CONTROL FUNCTION, WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR STARTING IN GEAR OR AN INABILITY TO ENGAGE THE PARKING GEAR.
The remedy: DRIVER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL NEW TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE PARTS, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
78V004000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

Jan 10, 1978
185,000 units potentially affected
The defect: BECAUSE OF ITS POSITION, THE WIRING ASSEMBLY MAY CHAFE AGAINST THE COWL-TO-BRAKE PEDAL SUPPORT BRACE WHICH IS LOCATED UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
The remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE SHIELDS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL SUPPORT BRACE AND PERFORM REPAIRS, IF NECESSARY.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
77V221000

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

Dec 15, 1977
6 units potentially affected
The defect: THE INVOLVED VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH AIR CONDITIONING UNITS WHICH CONTAIN BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR WIRES WHICH ARE IMPROPERLY POSITIONED. AS A RESULT, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS THE POLYPROPYLENE CASE MATERIAL COULD BECOME OVERHEATED AND EVENTUALLY IGNITE, ESPECIALLY IF THE BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH IS IN THE LOW OR MEDIUM POSITION.
The remedy: DEALER WILL MODIFY THE INVOLVED UNITS AS FOUND NECESSARY.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
77V170000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

Oct 12, 1977
41,000 units potentially affected
The defect: ON SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL MAY NOT ENGAGE THE PARKING GEAR WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION. THIS CONDITION IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO EXCESSIVE FREE PLAY IN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE ADJUSTMENT.
The remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND PROPERLY ADJUST THE SHIFT LINKAGE, AT NO CHARGE.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
77V159000

SUSPENSION:REAR

Sep 22, 1977
18 units potentially affected
The defect: THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY BE IN NON-COMPLIANCE TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS", DUE TO INSTALLATION OF INCORRECT REAR AXLE ASSEMBLIES. CONSEQUENTLY, EARLY REAR WHEEL LOCK-UP UNDER LIGHT LOADING CONDITIONS COULD RESULT CAUSING VEHICLE DIRECTIONAL INSTABILITY. REAR BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS WOULD ALSO BE REDUCED.
The remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL THE CORRECT REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
77V158000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

Sep 22, 1977
44,638 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS INSTALLED ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED SO THAT THEY CONTAIN CRACKS. THESE CRACKED ROTORS COULD FRACTURE DURING VEHICLE BRAKING AND CAUSE BRAKE PULL AND AFFECT VEHICLE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.
The remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS ON INVOLVED VEHICLES, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNERS.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

What a recall is

Safety recall
A 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.
Safety investigation
NHTSA 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.
Manufacturer communication
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and it is not a recall.

DP84010ClosedDefect Petition

REAR SEATBELTS

Opened Jan 18, 1984
Closed Jul 9, 1984

REAR SEATBELTS

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .