VehicleVerdict

1978 Ford Custom 500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1978 Ford Custom 500 — 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

Does the 1978 Ford Custom 500 have recalls?

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

78V108000Seat BeltsMay 15, 1978 · 110,000 units

Defect

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".

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES IF NECESSARY, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

78V044000Tires & WheelsMarch 6, 1978 · 60 units

Defect

SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH LR78-15 "C" LOAD RANGE TRUCK TIRES INSTEAD OF LR78-15 "B" LOAD RANGE PASSENGER CAR TIRES. THE WHEELS PRESENTLY ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES ARE INTENDED FOR USE WITH PASSENGER VEHICLE TIRES AND WERE NOT RATED FOR THE HIGHER MAXIMUM AIR PRESSURE AND LOAD RATINGS MOLDED INTO THE SIDEWALL OF THE LR78-15 "C" LOAD RANGE TRUCK TIRES.

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE "C" LOAD RANGE TIRES WITH "B" LOAD RANGE TIRES, WITHOUT CHARGE.

1978 Ford Custom 500 — common questions

Is the 1978 Ford Custom 500 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 Ford Custom 500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1978 Ford Custom 500. 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.