Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1978 Ford Club Wagon — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
0
NHTSA complaints
4
Recalls
0
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
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.
Defect
ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, TEMPERED GLASS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN THE REAR DOORS INSTEAD OF LAMINATED GLASS. THIS CONSTITUTES A NON-COMPLIANCE TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 217, "BUS WINDOW RETENTION AND RELEASE". ONE PURPOSE OF THE STANDARD IS TO MINIMIZE THE LIKELIHOOD OF OCCUPANTS BEING EJECTED FROM A BUS IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION.
Remedy
DEALER WILL INSTALL LAMINATED GLASS IN PLACE OF TEMPERED GLASS IN THE REAR DOOR, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
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.
Defect
ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, THE STEERING TIE ROD AND LINK ASSEMBLIES WITH ADJUSTING SLEEVE CLAMPS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. THE CLAMPS CONTAIN A SHARP DIE MARK WHICH COULD CAUSE THE CLAMP TO FRACTURE WHEN THE CLAMP BOLT IS TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS. THE CLAMP COULD BREAK AND CAUSE SEPARATION OF THE TIE ROD ADJUSTING SLEEVES.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE STEERING TIE ROD ADJUSTING SLEEVE AND CLAMP ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE, ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES.
The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1978 Ford Club Wagon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Club Wagon years to avoid are 1997, 1998. The cleanest record among Club Wagon years belongs to 1984.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.