Check a vehicle VIN check Latest recalls Latest complaints Common problems Rankings Compare vehicles Recall roundups All makes Guides Share your experience
Theme

Vehicle safety record

1978 Ford E150 Problems, complaints & recalls

No owner complaints about the 1978 Ford E150 have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 4 recalls, the latest in July 1990 for the anchorage.

NHTSA data checked

FFar more problems than a typical E150 year, for its age

Complaints
0
Recalls
4
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

1978 Ford E150 recalls 4

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

Power train: column shift

78V03500047,339 vehicles affected

The problem
The shift selector reaction springs may be deformed as a result of improper installation of selector levers during column buildup. Thus the lever may not be able to be moved into the insert detents located in the steering column assembly. This could prevent the "park" gear from being engaged.
The fix
Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the shift selector reaction spring without charge to owner.

Fuel system: carburetor system

77V19800030,000 vehicles affected

The problem
On the involved vehicles, leakage may occur at the threaded carburetor-to-fuel filter connection on the suspect carburetors. This is due to an improperly machined carburetor fuel inlet connection.
The fix
Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, will replace the carburetor without charge to owner.

Power train: column shift

77V18500019,000 vehicles affected

The problem
On the involved vehicles, the park actuation support plates are defective due to their susceptibility to cracking due to improper heat treatment during manufacture. As a result, fragments from a broken plate can become lodged in the transmission parking pawl mechanism. This could prevent the transmission parking pawl from engaging when the selector lever is placed in the "park" position, or prevent the pawl from being disengaged from the park gear.
The fix
The dealer will replace the park actuation cam support plates, free of charge, on all affected vehicles.

What owners say

Be the first E150 owner to share.

Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now

No complaints about the 1978 Ford E150 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.

Ford E150: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
19820200-D
19810100-C
19800300-F
19790500-F
19780400-F
19760100-C
All E150 years

Own a 1978 Ford E150? Share your experience.

Your experience goes live straight away and helps every owner and buyer who checks this vehicle. Anonymous, free, no account.

Overall, how would you rate it? *

0/4000 · Please leave out names, phone numbers and your full VIN.

By posting you confirm it's your own, honest experience and agree to the rules. Safety defect? Also report it to NHTSA - that's how recalls start.

Questions about the 1978 Ford E150

Does the 1978 Ford E150 have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 1978 Ford E150: anchorage (July 1990); column shift (February 1978); carburetor system (November 1977); column shift (October 1977). 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 Ford E150 had?

None have been filed with NHTSA so far.

Is the 1978 Ford E150 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 11 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Ford E150 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 Ford E150 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

Owners helping owners

Know before you drive.

Every experience you share - good or bad - shows on that vehicle's page and helps the next owner and buyer. Two minutes, anonymous.

Share your experience