Defect
THE FUEL PUMP MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN MISALIGNMENT OF THE PUMP.
Remedy
DEALER WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP AND RELATED HARDWARE WITH A NEW PUMP KIT, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
1978 Alfa Romeo Spider problems
Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1978 Alfa Romeo Spider — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
0
NHTSA complaints
2
Recalls
0
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
How does 1978 compare to other Spider years?
Does the 1978 Alfa Romeo Spider have recalls?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
DUE TO INSTALLATION DIFFICULTIES DURING MODIFICATION OF THE FUEL PUMP, THE PUMP MAY HAVE BEEN MISALIGNED. CERTAIN ADVERSE CONDITIONS OR HIGH LOADS SUCH AS TRAILER TOWING, MOTOR SPORTS EVENTS, OR OTHER DRIVING MODES WHICH IMPOSE ABNORMALLY HIGH LOADS ON THE VEHICLES, COMBINED WITH LOW LEVELS OF FUEL IN THE TANK, MAY CAUSE LACK OF VEHICLE POWER AND STALLING.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE SUBMERGED FUEL PUMP SUPPORT BRACKET WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED TYPE WHICH AVOIDS INSTALLATION DIFFICULITIES. THIS WILL BE DONE WITHOUT CHARGE.
1978 Alfa Romeo Spider — common questions
Is the 1978 Alfa Romeo Spider reliable?
The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.
Does the 1978 Alfa Romeo Spider have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1978 Alfa Romeo Spider. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Related
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.