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1978 Ford L Series (Heavy)

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
1Owner complaints

Model-year median: 0

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
0
19750
19760
19771
19780
19790
19800
1981
Compare all L Series (heavy) years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Tires
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 1 of 1 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Tires. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Tires complaints

1 reports
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79,052 miles · Aug 2, 2005
Tires

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 TH…

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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 ODI #10131025

Official recalls

2

82V027000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Mar 26, 1982

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND MODIFY THE THROTTLE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

79V255000 · Suspension:multiple Axle

Dec 4, 1979

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.