VehicleVerdict

1978 Ford Econoline problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

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

How does 1978 compare to other Econoline years?

Econoline NHTSA complaints by model year, 1978 highlighted164 complaints1967: 0 complaints1969: 0 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 1 complaints1980: 1 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 2 complaints1984: 10 complaints1985: 15 complaints1986: 7 complaints1987: 19 complaints1988: 33 complaints1989: 41 complaints1990: 38 complaints1991: 37 complaints1992: 113 complaints1993: 71 complaints1994: 164 complaints1995: 98 complaints1996: 96 complaints1997: 100 complaints1998: 61 complaints1999: 102 complaints2000: 46 complaints2001: 31 complaints2002: 25 complaints2003: 27 complaints2005: 0 complaints2006: 0 complaints2007: 0 complaints2009: 1 complaints2010: 1 complaints2011: 0 complaints2012: 2 complaints2013: 0 complaints2014: 0 complaints2015: 0 complaints2016: 3 complaints2017: 7 complaints2018: 0 complaints2019: 1 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Econoline NHTSA complaints by model year, 1978 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Econoline years to avoid →

Does the 1978 Ford Econoline have recalls?

2 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.

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.

1978 Ford Econoline — common questions

Is the 1978 Ford Econoline 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 Econoline have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1978 Ford Econoline. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford Econoline years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Econoline years to avoid are 1994, 1992, 1999, 1997, 1995, 1996, 1993, 1998, 2000, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1988, 2001. The cleanest record among Econoline years belongs to 2026.

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.