VehicleVerdict

1978 Ford E-250 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just one complaint on file for the 1978 Ford E-250 — 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.

1

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1978 compare to other E-250 years?

E-250 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1978 highlighted56 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 1 complaints1979: 1 complaints1980: 1 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 0 complaints1984: 2 complaints1985: 4 complaints1986: 0 complaints1987: 0 complaints1988: 2 complaints1989: 7 complaints1990: 4 complaints1991: 11 complaints1992: 30 complaints1993: 7 complaints1994: 14 complaints1995: 19 complaints1996: 24 complaints1997: 31 complaints1998: 30 complaints1999: 56 complaints2000: 21 complaints2001: 18 complaints2002: 18 complaints2003: 22 complaints2004: 14 complaints2005: 12 complaints2006: 16 complaints2007: 7 complaints2008: 10 complaints2009: 2 complaints2010: 12 complaints2011: 9 complaints2012: 13 complaints2013: 13 complaints2014: 7 complaints2015: 0 complaints2016: 2 complaints2017: 3 complaints2022: 1 complaints2023: 0 complaints
E-250 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1978 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all E-250 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1978 Ford E-250 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure1100%

Does the 1978 Ford E-250 have recalls?

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

07E064000Fuel SystemAugust 27, 2007 · 34,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.

Consequence

A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.

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.

77V198000Fuel SystemNovember 15, 1977 · 30,000 units

Defect

ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR AT THE THREADED CARBURETOR-TO-FUEL FILTER CONNECTION ON THE SUSPECT CARBURETORS. THIS IS DUE TO AN IMPROPERLY MACHINED CARBURETOR FUEL INLET CONNECTION.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE THE CARBURETOR WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

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.

77V187000SteeringOctober 25, 1977 · 1,885 units

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.

77V161000Speed ControlSeptember 23, 1977 · 16,000 units

Defect

SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE DEFECTIVE CARBURETORS IN WHICH, UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE SECONDARY THROTTLE PLATES MAY STICK OPEN.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE CARBURETOR AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WE HAVE HAD THIS VAN FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. IT IS NOT USED MUCH NOW. THE PROBLEM IS THE WHEELS DO NOT TRACK. THE FRONT WHEELS ARE OFFSET TO THE LEFT, WHEN LOOKING FORWARD. I HAVE NOTICED THIS ON MANY OTHER FORD E TYPE VANS AND F TYPE PICKUP TRUCKS ON THE HIGHWAY. THE BODY OF THESE AFFECTED VEHICLES…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure

1978 Ford E-250 — common questions

Is the 1978 Ford E-250 reliable?

The record is thin — 1 NHTSA complaint — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 6 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1978 Ford E-250 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1978 Ford E-250. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1978 Ford E-250 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford E-250 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the E-250 years to avoid are 1999, 1997, 1998, 1992. The cleanest record among E-250 years belongs to 2023.

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.