VehicleVerdict

1978 Mercury Bobcat problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1978 Mercury Bobcat — 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 Bobcat years?

Bobcat NHTSA complaints by model year, 1978 highlighted1 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 1 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 0 complaints
Bobcat NHTSA complaints by model year, 1978 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Bobcat years to avoid →

Does the 1978 Mercury Bobcat have recalls?

3 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.

78V047000Seat BeltsMarch 8, 1978 · 1,956 units

Defect

THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS ON CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY FAIL TO LOCK DUE TO BINDING OF THE LOCKING PAWL AGAINST THE RETRACTOR HOUSING. THIS BINDING IS CAUSED BY RETRACTOR HOUSING DEFORMATION WHICH OCCURRED DURING ASSEMBLY. AS A RESULT THE PASSENGERS WOULD BE RESTRAINED ONLY BY THE FULLY EXTENDED BELT. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION".

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE ONE OR BOTH REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE.

1978 Mercury Bobcat — common questions

Is the 1978 Mercury Bobcat 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 Mercury Bobcat have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1978 Mercury Bobcat. 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.