Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1978 Ford Fiesta — 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
3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTIN AND RIMS". TIRE PLACARDS MAY LIST INCORRECT INFORMATION IN REGARD TO INFLATION PRESSURES.
Remedy
REVISED TIRE PLACARDS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR INSTALLATION BY OWNERS OR DEALERS, WITHOUT CHARGE.
Defect
THE INVOLVED WHEELS CONTAIN MISLOCATED STEM HOLES. THIS MAY ALLOW AIR LEAKAGE AT THE TIRE VALVE STEM, UNDER HIGH SPEED DRIVING CONDITIONS.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING WHEELS WITH WHEELS HAVING THE PROPER VALVE STEM HOLES, IF NECESSARY, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
Defect
THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN AIR CONDITIONERS WHICH HAVE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR WIRES WHICH WERE IMPROPERLY ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO THE BLOWER HOUSING WALL. AS A RESULT, THE BLOWER MOTOR COULD BECOME JAMMED AND, IF THE BLOWER SWITCH IS IN EITHER THE MEDIUM OR LOW POSITION, THE POLYPROPYLENE BLOWER HOUSING COULD IGNITE.
Remedy
DEALER WILL REPLACE THE RESISTOR ASSEMBLY WITH A TEMPERATURE PROTECTIVE THERMAL LIMITER, IF NECESSARY, WITHOUT CHARGE.
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.
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1978 Ford Fiesta. 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 Fiesta years to avoid are 2011, 2013, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017. The cleanest record among Fiesta years belongs to 1978.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.