VehicleVerdict

1978 Ford F Series problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1978 Ford F Series — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1978 compare to other F Series years?

F Series NHTSA complaints by model year, 1978 highlighted55 complaints1971: 1 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints1983: 0 complaints1984: 1 complaints1985: 0 complaints1986: 0 complaints1987: 4 complaints1988: 6 complaints1989: 3 complaints1990: 2 complaints1991: 7 complaints1992: 3 complaints1993: 7 complaints1994: 7 complaints1995: 20 complaints1996: 17 complaints1997: 55 complaints1998: 32 complaints1999: 44 complaints2000: 53 complaints2001: 54 complaints2002: 43 complaints2003: 1 complaints2004: 8 complaints2005: 12 complaints2006: 7 complaints2007: 5 complaints2008: 1 complaints
F Series NHTSA complaints by model year, 1978 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F Series years to avoid →

Does the 1978 Ford F Series have recalls?

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

79V077000BrakesMarch 29, 1979 · 65,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN AIR BRAKE ANTI-LOCK MODULATORS COULD MALFUNCTION DURING OPERATION OF THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM. A NYLON PISTON WITHIN THE MODULATOR AIR VALVE SYSTEM CAN SWELL FROM EXPOSURE TO SYSTEM CONTAMINANTS. CONTINUED EXPOSURE MAY CAUSE THE PISTON TO SWELL TO THE EXTENT THAT INTERFERENCE WITH THE CYLINDER WALL WILL RESULT, CAUSING MOMENTARY STICKING OR A PERMANENT JAM. THIS CAN RESULT IN TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT LOSS OF BRAKING FOR THE AFFECTED AXLE.

Remedy

THE PISTONS IN THE VALVE PORTION OF THE MODULATORS WILL BE REPLACED WITH PISTONS THAT DO NOT SWELL WHEN EXPOSED TO AIR BRAKE SYSTEM CONTAMINANTS.

78V161000Visibility & WipersJuly 25, 1978 · 16 units

Defect

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITHOUT THE INTENDED WINDSHIELD WEATHERSTRIP LOWER RETAINER. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 219, "WINDSHIELD ZONE INTRUSION".

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSTALL THE WINDSHIELD WEATHERSTRIP LOWER RETAINER AT NO COST TO OWNER.

77V189000Tires & WheelsOctober 25, 1977 · 5,000 units

Defect

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATION LABELS AND INCOMPLETE VEHICLE DOCUMENTS THAT INDICATE THAT THE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR) IS APPROXIMATELY 0.6 TO 6.0 PERCENT GREATER THAN THE COMBINED LOAD CAPACITY OF THE TIRES AT THE SPECIFIED TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NOS. 120, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS", AND 119, "NEW PNEUMATIC TIRES FOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS", OR 109, "NEW PNEUMATIC TIRES".

Remedy

OWNER WILL RECEIVE CORRECT LABELS BY MAIL, FREE OF CHARGE.

1978 Ford F Series — common questions

Is the 1978 Ford F Series reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1978 Ford F Series have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1978 Ford F Series. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford F Series years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F Series years to avoid are 1997, 2001, 2000, 1999, 2002, 1998. The cleanest record among F Series years belongs to 1986.

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.