- The problem
- Intercontinental auto parts is recalling 1,937 fuel filters, p/nos alg 44/1 and purolator f10024, shipped between january 14 and february 13, 2008, sold for use on the vehicles listed above. The filter's outlet cap may not be securely crimped to the housing. This could result in a separation of filter's outlet cap from the housing.
- The risk
- If this condition occurs while attempting to start the vehicle, a no start condition may result and fuel may be pumped onto the ground. If this occurs while the vehicle is in motion, the engine may stop due to inadequate fuel supply. If an ignition source were present, fuel leakage may result in a fire.
- The fix
- Intercontinental will replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began during march 2008. Owners may contact intercontinental at 800-451-2593.
Vehicle safety record
1978 Ford Thunderbird Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1978 Ford Thunderbird have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 4 recalls, the latest in March 2008 for the fuel pump.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical Thunderbird year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1978 Ford Thunderbird 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
- The problem
- The involved vehicles are equipped with shoulder harness retractors that may not lock. Should the vehicle experience a sudden deceleration or impact, the front seat occupant may not be restrained by the shoulder harness portion of the three-point seat belt system. Furthermore, the shoulder harness retractors may not allow extraction of the shoulder belt webbing due to a pre-locked condition. This is a non-compliance to the emergency locking retractor performance requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "Seat belt assemblies".
- The fix
- The dealer will replace the seat belt assemblies if necessary, without charge to owner.
- The problem
- The involved vehicles may have been equipped with cast aluminum wheels with inadequate lug nut counterbore depths. This condition may not provide sufficient lug nut thread engagement. The lug nuts may loosen and fall off, allowing the wheel to separate from the vehicle.
- The fix
- Dealer will inspect and, if neessary, will replace the wheels without charge to owner.
- 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
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No complaints about the 1978 Ford Thunderbird 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 Thunderbird: every year compared
All Thunderbird yearsQuestions about the 1978 Ford Thunderbird
Does the 1978 Ford Thunderbird have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 1978 Ford Thunderbird: fuel pump (March 2008); retractor (May 1978); lugs / nuts / bolts / studs (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 Thunderbird had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1978 Ford Thunderbird a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 26 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Ford Thunderbird 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.
Which Ford Thunderbird years have the most complaints?
1960 (1), 1965 (1). See every Ford Thunderbird year compared.
What should I do if my 1978 Ford Thunderbird 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