VehicleVerdict

1978 Ford Bronco problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1978 Ford Bronco — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 6 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1978 compare to other Bronco years?

See all Bronco years to avoid →

Does the 1978 Ford Bronco have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08E019000Fuel SystemMarch 6, 2008 · 1,937 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

INTERCONTINENTAL WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING MARCH 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT INTERCONTINENTAL AT 800-451-2593.

78V096000TransmissionApril 28, 1978 · 61,417 units

Defect

SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS THAT WERE ASSEMBLED WITH IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED CAST IRON EXTENSION HOUSINGS. THE HOUSINGS HAVE MISLOCATED CAST CAM PLATE STOPS. A MISLOCATED STOP MAY PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION FROM LOCKING IN THE PARK POSITION WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "P" (PARK) POSITION. IF THIS OCCURS A DRIVER MAY RELY UPON THE READING ON THE GEARSHIFT SELECTOR LEVER INDICATOR AND MAY ASSUME THAT THE TRANSMISSION PARKING GEAR IS ENGAGED.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION EXTENSION HOUSING WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

78V035000TransmissionFebruary 16, 1978 · 47,339 units

Defect

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.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE SHIFT SELECTOR REACTION SPRING WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

78V023000Tires & WheelsJanuary 30, 1978 · 17,000 units

Defect

SOME OF THE STEEL WHEELS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. THESE WHEELS, OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, COULD CRACK IN THE WHEEL RIM AREA THROUGH NORMAL OPERATION, WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE WHEELS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES.

77V185000TransmissionOctober 25, 1977 · 19,000 units

Defect

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.

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PARK ACTUATION CAM SUPPORT PLATES, FREE OF CHARGE, ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES.

77V129000SeatsAugust 29, 1977 · 928 units

Defect

ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, BUILD-UP OF CARPET/MAT DEADENER AND INSULATION UNDER THE REAR SEAT FRAME AND SEAT BELT ANCHOR TABS MAY PREVENT THE OPTIONAL FOLDING REAR SEAT CUSHION FROM LATCHING PROPERLY. THE LATCH MAY BE ONLY PARTIALLY ENGAGED AND FAIL TO SUSTAIN THE SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE LOADING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY AND ANCHORAGES".

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSTALL SPACER WASHERS AT THE LATCH STRIKER ATTACHMENT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

1978 Ford Bronco — common questions

Is the 1978 Ford Bronco reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 6 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1978 Ford Bronco have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1978 Ford Bronco. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford Bronco years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Bronco years to avoid are 2022, 2021, 2023, 1995, 1989, 1994, 1996, 2024, 1990, 1988, 2025, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1986, 1991. The cleanest record among Bronco years belongs to 1980.

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.