Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just one complaint on file for the 1978 Dodge B200 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
1
NHTSA complaints
3
Recalls
0
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tires & Wheels | 1 | 100% | new |
3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
THE FRONT RAIL EXTENSION MAY EXPERIENCE FATIGUE CRACKING NEAR THE AREA WHERE THE POWER STEERING GEAR ATTACHES TO THE FRAME. IF THE CRACK PROGRESSES THROUGH MOST OR ALL OF THE RAIL SECTION, STEERING SYSTEM FREE PLAY ACCOMPANIED BY METALLIC RATTLE NOISE WILL BE EXPERIENCED.
Remedy
AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE WELD REPAIRED AND A REINFORCEMENT ROD WILL BE INSTALLED OVER THE CRACKED AREA.
Defect
THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE ROUTING MAY ALLOW INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE HOSES AND THE TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLIES DURING EXTREME TURNING ANGLES.
Remedy
DEALER WILL REPLACE BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSES AND INSTALL A NEW BRAKE HOSE SUPPORT BRACKET TO ELIMINATE CONTACT WITH TIRE/WHEEL.
Defect
THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES", IN THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF FITTING CERTAIN ADULT PASSENGERS WHEN THE SEAT IS IN THE FULL FORWARD POSITION.
Remedy
DEALER WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER UNIBELT ASSEMBLY WITH AN ASSEMBLY HAVING A LONGER BELT WEBBING.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“ALL 4 TIRES HAD THE BELT SEPARATE 1 BLEW OUT THE SIDE 2 HAD A 1 INCH DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF TREAD ONE TIRE SOUNDED LIKE YOU WERE DRIVING DOWN THE RUMBLE STRIPS ON THE HIGHWAY AND THEY ALL SHOOK AND I HAD A HEAT GUN AND WHEN THEY WENT THEY WERE RUNNING AT 190 DEG AND ONE TIRE HAD A…”
The record is thin — 1 NHTSA complaint — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1978 Dodge B200. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.