SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1978 Ford Pinto

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

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
0
19751
19760
19771
19780
19792
1980
Compare all Pinto years →

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

What owners reported most

Electrical System
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: 0 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.

  • Electrical System. 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

Electrical System complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2003
Electrical System

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE PLASTIC PANELS ON THE BACK OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS DETERIORATING AND CRUMBLING WITH HEAT AND AGE ON 3 CARS. THESE WERE A 1976 FORD PINTO WAGON, A 1976 FORD E250 CLUB WAGON VAN, AND A 1972 AMC MATADOR (APPEARENTLY THE SAME FORD DESIGN OF THIS PART). THIS PART HOLDS THE CONNECTORS AND COMPONENTS …

Read full complaint

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE PLASTIC PANELS ON THE BACK OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS DETERIORATING AND CRUMBLING WITH HEAT AND AGE ON 3 CARS. THESE WERE A 1976 FORD PINTO WAGON, A 1976 FORD E250 CLUB WAGON VAN, AND A 1972 AMC MATADOR (APPEARENTLY THE SAME FORD DESIGN OF THIS PART). THIS PART HOLDS THE CONNECTORS AND COMPONENTS ONTO THE PLASTIC RIBBON THAT CARRIES THE WIRING. I FOUND THAT THIS CAUSES LOOSE CONNECTIONS AND I BELIEVE THAT IT COULD START A FIRE, IN ADDITION TO THE INSTRUMENTION NOT WORKING. I HAVE ALSO HEARD OF THIS SAME PROBLEM FROM SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE IN FORD VEHICLES. IT SEEMS TO BECOME APPEARANT WHEN THEY ARE OVER ABOUT 10 YEARS OLD.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10030389

Official recalls

2

83V025000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

Mar 1, 1983

THE FLEXIBLE BLADE ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADES MAY CRACK AND BREAK OFF. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY HIGH BLADE STRESSES THAT CAN RESULT FROM VIBRATION DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ENGINE COOLING FAN AT NO COST TO OWNER.

78V047000 · Seat Belts:front:retractor

Mar 8, 1978

THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS ON CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY FAIL TO LOCK DUE TO BINDING OF THE LOCKING PAWL AGAINST THE RETRACTOR HOUSING. THIS BINDING IS CAUSED BY RETRACTOR HOUSING DEFORMATION WHICH OCCURRED DURING ASSEMBLY. AS A RESULT THE PASSENGERS WOULD BE RESTRAINED ONLY BY THE FULLY EXTENDED BELT. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION".

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE ONE OR BOTH REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES 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.