VehicleVerdict

1977 Ford Pinto problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1977 Ford Pinto — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1977 compare to other Pinto years?

Pinto NHTSA complaints by model year, 1977 highlighted2 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 1 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 1 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 1 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 2 complaints
Pinto NHTSA complaints by model year, 1977 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Pinto years to avoid →

Does the 1977 Ford Pinto have recalls?

5 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.

83V025000EngineMarch 1, 1983 · 83,000 units

Defect

THE FLEXIBLE BLADE ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADES MAY CRACK AND BREAK OFF. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY HIGH BLADE STRESSES THAT CAN RESULT FROM VIBRATION DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.

Remedy

DEALER WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ENGINE COOLING FAN AT NO COST TO OWNER.

77V114000Body & StructureJuly 28, 1977 · 642 units

Defect

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH INCORRECT ATTACHING U-NUTS USED TO SECURE THE REAR BUMPER LEFT ISOLATOR AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY. IN THE EVENT OF A REAR-END COLLISION, THE U-NUTS COULD CONTACT AND CUT THE FUEL TANK, CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE.

Remedy

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

77V064000Tires & WheelsMay 2, 1977 · 46 units

Defect

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS". THESE LIGHT TRUCKS WERE INCORRECTLY CLASSIFIED AS PASSENGER VEHICLES AND WERE EQUIPPED WITH LOAD RANGE "A" INSTEAD OF LOAD RANGE "B" TIRES. THIS COULD LEAD TO INADVERTENT VEHICLE OVERLOADING.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE LOAD RANGE "A" WITH THE PROPER LOAD RANGE "B" TIRES, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

76V140000Fuel SystemSeptember 14, 1976 · 18,000 units

1977 Ford Pinto — common questions

Is the 1977 Ford Pinto reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1977 Ford Pinto have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1977 Ford Pinto. 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.