VehicleVerdict

1978 Plymouth HORIZON problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1978 Plymouth HORIZON — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 8 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1978 compare to other HORIZON years?

HORIZON NHTSA complaints by model year, 1978 highlighted13 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 1 complaints1980: 1 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 0 complaints1984: 2 complaints1985: 2 complaints1986: 2 complaints1987: 13 complaints1988: 3 complaints1989: 4 complaints1990: 3 complaints
HORIZON NHTSA complaints by model year, 1978 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all HORIZON years to avoid →

Does the 1978 Plymouth HORIZON have recalls?

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

80V136000Electrical SystemOctober 15, 1980 · 425,000 units

Defect

THE ALTERNATOR FIELD WIRING TERMINAL CONNECTIONS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY LOOSEN DUE TO VIBRATION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, ALTERNATOR ELECTRICAL OUTPUT TO SUPPORT THE VEHICLES ELECTRICAL LOADS AND THE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM WOULD BE LOST. THIS WOULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN OBVIOUS MALFUNCTIONS OF VARIOUS ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS (DIMMING OF LIGHTS, REDUCTION IN RADIO VOLUME, ETC.).

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSTALL AN ALTERNATOR REPAIR KIT WHICH INCLUDES A NEW ALTERNATOR WIRING HARNESS AS WELL AS NEW TERMINALS. DEALER WILL ALSO INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR THE PRESENCE OF A REQUIRED SECOND ALTERNATOR GROUND STRAP AND ADD ONE IF NECESSARY.

79V215000SteeringSeptember 18, 1979 · 31,000 units

Defect

THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT COUPLING ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN OVERSIZED SERRATION DIAMETER IN THE ATTACHMENT AREA TO THE STEERING GEAR SHAFT. SINCE THIS OVERSIZED COUPLING MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY ENGAGED ON THE STEERING GEAR SHAFT, THE ATTACHMENT MAY LOOSEN, RESULTING IN STEERING FREE PLAY.

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT COUPLING ASSEMBLIES ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WITH PROPERLY MACHINED COMPONENTS. THIS WILL BE DONE AT NO CHARGE.

78V136000Fuel SystemJune 13, 1978 · 14,000 units

Defect

THE PRESENT POSITION OF THE FUEL HOSE MAY ALLOW IT TO CHAFE AGAINST THE AIR CONDITIONING SUCTION HOSE. EXCESSIVE CHAFING COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE.

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL REROUTE AND RECLAMP THE FUEL HOSE WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

78V103000SuspensionMay 9, 1978 · 42,000 units

Defect

THE RIVET ATTACHMENTS FOR THE FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM TO BALL JOINT MAY FAIL, ESPECIALLY UNDER IMPACT LOAD CIRCUMSTANCES.

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A BOLT AND NUT ATTACHMENT MIDWAY BETWEEN THE TWO RIVETS. THIS WILL INCREASE THE STRENGTH OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM TO THE BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT.

78V026000Fuel SystemFebruary 8, 1978 · 3,000 units

Defect

THE FUEL TANKS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT FUEL LEAKAGE WHEN COMPLETELY FILLED. THIS CONDITION WAS CAUSED BY THE REAR FLOOR CARPET FASTENERS PENETRATING THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK.

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL INSPECT VEHICLES FOR PRESENCE OF CARPET FASTENERS ACROSS THE REAR SEAT AREA. IF ANY FASTENERS ARE FOUND, THEY WILL BE REMOVED, THE FLOOR PAN HOLES SEALED, AND THE FUEL TANK DROPPED AND INSPECTED FOR NAIL HOLES. IF HOLES ARE FOUND, THE FUEL TANK WILL BE REPLACED.

77V241000Tires & WheelsDecember 28, 1977 · 3,000 units

Defect

THE WHEEL HUB NUTS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY STAKED TO THE WHEEL SPINDLE. AS A RESULT, THE STAKED NUTS MAY LOOSEN WITH LOSS OF CLAMPING LOAD ON THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND LOOSENING OF FRONT WHEELS.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT THE FRONT WHEEL HUB NUTS FOR PROPER CONFIGURATION AND WILL CORRECT BY RE-WORKING AS FOUND NECESSARY, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

77V228000Fuel SystemDecember 20, 1977 · 3,000 units

Defect

ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUEL TUBE MAY HAVE BEEN MISROUTED WHICH MAY ALLOW FOR TUBE ABRASION AND SUBSEQUENT UNDERHOOD FUEL LEAKAGE.

Remedy

DEALER WILL RE-ROUTE THE FUEL TUBE TO PRECLUDE ABRASION, WITHOUT CHARGE.

77V229000SuspensionDecember 20, 1977 · 3,000 units

Defect

ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY DEVELOP CRACKS. THESE CRACKS WILL REDUCE THE STRENGTH OF THE ARM.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, IF NECESSARY, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

1978 Plymouth HORIZON — common questions

Is the 1978 Plymouth HORIZON reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 8 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1978 Plymouth HORIZON have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 1978 Plymouth HORIZON. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1978 Plymouth HORIZON under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

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.