1978 Dodge Diplomat Recalls, Complaints & Specs
3 safety recalls list the 1978 Dodge Diplomat. Check your own VIN below.
- 1976
- 1977
- 1978
- 1980
- 1981
- 1982
- 1985
- 1986
- 1987
- 1988
- 1989
3 safety recalls for the 1978 Dodge Diplomat
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Latch (latches/locks/linkages)
On the involved vehicles, the hood secondary catch system may be misaligned which may cause the secondary catch to malfunction. Consequently, the hood may not be securely latched.
Remedy: Dealer will adjust the catch system to fully secure the hood, without charge.
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Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)
The columns may contain steering shafts in which the steering column coupling roll pin retaining notch was machined too deep. This may cause the steering wheel shaft to become disengaged from the rest of the steering assembly.
Remedy: Dealer will install a cotter pin through the roll pin to ensure retention, at no cost to owner.
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)
On the involved vehicles, damage to the front wheel brake hydraulic system could occur due to front wheel brake line tube corrosion. Front wheel brake hoses may become brittle and crack due to prolonged operation in cold temperatures.
Remedy: The dealer will replace both front hoses if found necessary and in addition, will install a plastic shield between the battery thermo-guard and the tubes to prevent corrosion.
No owner complaints on file
NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 1978 Dodge Diplomat. For context, the average model year in NHTSA's database has dozens; a zero can mean a reliable vehicle, a rare one, or both.
Compare Dodge Diplomat model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Dodge Diplomat model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 Dodge Diplomat | 2 | 0 |
| 1977 Dodge Diplomat | 2 | 0 |
| 1978 Dodge Diplomat | 3 | 0 |
| 1980 Dodge Diplomat | 1 | 0 |
| 1981 Dodge Diplomat | 2 | 0 |
| 1982 Dodge Diplomat | 2 | 0 |
| 1985 Dodge Diplomat | 0 | 2 |
| 1986 Dodge Diplomat | 1 | 3 |
| 1987 Dodge Diplomat | 0 | 1 |
| 1988 Dodge Diplomat | 2 | 1 |
| 1989 Dodge Diplomat | 1 | 0 |
Checking a specific 1978 Dodge Diplomat
How do I know if my 1978 Dodge Diplomat has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 1978 Dodge Diplomat; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Dodge dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 77V188000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Dodge models
- Durango13,770 complaints
- Grand Caravan13,508 complaints
- RAM 150012,416 complaints
- Caravan10,526 complaints
- Dakota6,629 complaints
- RAM 25006,443 complaints
- Intrepid6,228 complaints
- Charger5,741 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.