RoadVitals

1978 Ford L Series (heavy)

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.
1
Latest Aug 2, 2005
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.
2
Latest Mar 26, 1982
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 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 1978 Ford L Series (heavy), most frequently naming the tires & wheels category. 2 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

  • Tires & wheels1100.0%

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

2 campaigns cover this model year

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
82V027000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Mar 26, 1982
3,270 units potentially affected
The defect: THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE STANDARD NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS", DUE TO FAILURE OF THE THROTTLE TO RETURN COMPLETELY TO IDLE UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS WITH ONE OF THE TWO ACCELERATOR CONTROL RETURN SPRINGS INOPERATIVE.
The remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND MODIFY THE THROTTLE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
79V255000

SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE

Dec 4, 1979
4 units potentially affected
The defect: THE OPTIONAL TANDEM SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED USING A STANDARD BEAM END ADAPTER KIT, RATHER THAN THE REQUIRED SPECIAL KIT. PROGRESSIVE DETERIORATION COULD OCCUR TO THE ADAPTER TO BEAM END BUSHING JOINT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN FRACTURE OF THE BEAM TO AXLE ATTACHING BOLTS.
The remedy: THE INCORRECT BEAM ADAPTERS WILL BE REPLACED ON NEW UNITS AND BEAM END ADAPTERS AND BUSHINGS WILL BE INSTALLED ON UNITS IN SERVICE, FREE OF CHARGE.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 2, 2005

DT: CONTACT BOUGHT A SET OF BRAND NEW TIRES ON 6-9-05. ON 7-8-05 THE DRIVER'S LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRE HAD 136 MILES ON IT. THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TIRE WAS BIAS PLY NYLON. IT IWASA 14 PLY RATING. THE ROAD CONDITION ON FREEWAY WAS VERY GOOD CONDITION. THE PSI ON THE TIRE WAS 85. THERE WAS A SLIGHT VIBRATION, AND THE DRIVER STARTED TO CHANGE LANES WHEN THE TIRE BLEWOUT. THE DOT # I IM0305. *AK

NHTSA ID
10131025
Incident
Jul 8, 2005
Mileage
79,052 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford L Series (heavy) by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1997000—
1996000—
1995000—
1994000—
1993000—
1992000—
1991100—
1987010—
1982010—
1981010—
1980020—
1979030—
1978Viewing120—
1977010—
1976010—
1975020—
1974020—
1973010—
1972010—

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.