- The problem
- The alternator field wiring terminal connections on the involved vehicles may loosen due to vibration, possibly resulting in an open circuit condition. Should this occur, alternator electrical output to support the vehicles electrical loads and the battery charging system would be lost. This would eventually result in obvious malfunctions of various electrical systems (dimming of lights, reduction in radio volume, etc.).
- The fix
- Dealer will install an alternator repair kit which includes a new alternator wiring harness as well as new terminals. Dealer will also inspect the vehicle for the presence of a required second alternator ground strap and add one if necessary.
Vehicle safety record
1978 Dodge Omni Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1978 Dodge Omni have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 8 recalls, the latest in October 1980 for the alternator / generator / regulator.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical Omni year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 8
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1978 Dodge Omni recalls 8
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- The lower steering shaft coupling on the involved vehicles may have an oversized serration diameter in the attachment area to the steering gear shaft. Since this oversized coupling may not be adequately engaged on the steering gear shaft, the attachment may loosen, resulting in steering free play.
- The fix
- The dealer will replace the lower steering shaft coupling assemblies on the involved vehicles with properly machined components. This will be done at no charge.
- The problem
- The present position of the fuel hose may allow it to chafe against the air conditioning suction hose. Excessive chafing could result in fuel leakage.
- The fix
- The dealer will reroute and reclamp the fuel hose without charge to owner.
- The problem
- The rivet attachments for the front suspension control arm to ball joint may fail, especially under impact load circumstances.
- The fix
- The dealer will install a bolt and nut attachment midway between the two rivets. This will increase the strength of the front suspension control arm to the ball joint attachment.
- The problem
- The fuel tanks on the involved vehicles may exhibit fuel leakage when completely filled. This condition was caused by the rear floor carpet fasteners penetrating the top of the fuel tank.
- The fix
- The dealer will inspect vehicles for presence of carpet fasteners across the rear seat area. If any fasteners are found, they will be removed, the floor pan holes sealed, and the fuel tank dropped and inspected for nail holes. If holes are found, the fuel tank will be replaced.
- The problem
- The wheel hub nuts on the involved vehicles may not have been adequately staked to the wheel spindle. As a result, the staked nuts may loosen with loss of clamping load on the front wheel bearing and loosening of front wheels.
- The fix
- Dealer will inspect the front wheel hub nuts for proper configuration and will correct by re-working as found necessary, without charge to owner.
- The problem
- On the involved vehicles, the lower control arm may develop cracks. These cracks will reduce the strength of the arm.
- The fix
- Dealer will inspect and will replace the lower control arm, if necessary, without charge to owner.
- The problem
- On the involved vehicles, the engine compartment fuel tube may have been misrouted which may allow for tube abrasion and subsequent underhood fuel leakage.
- The fix
- Dealer will re-route the fuel tube to preclude abrasion, without charge.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1978 Dodge Omni yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Dodge Omni: every year compared
All Omni years1978 Dodge Omni vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 Dodge Omni | 0 | 8 | F | |
| 1978 Dodge D100 | 1 | 5 | F | Compare |
| 1978 Dodge B200 | 1 | 3 | D | Compare |
| 1978 Dodge D100 Club Cab | 1 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 1978 Dodge B Series | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1978 Dodge Omni
Does the 1978 Dodge Omni have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 1978 Dodge Omni: alternator / generator / regulator (October 1980); steering wheel / handle bar (September 1979); hoses, lines / piping, and fittings (June 1978); lower ball joint (May 1978) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 1978 Dodge Omni had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1978 Dodge Omni a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 15 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Dodge Omni year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
What should I do if my 1978 Dodge Omni has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data