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1978 Ford E350 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

5 safety recalls list the 1978 Ford E350. Check your own VIN below.

5
safety recalls
0
owner complaints to NHTSA

5 safety recalls for the 1978 Ford E350

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Column shift (power train)

    NHTSA 78V035000 Reported 47,339 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    The shift selector reaction springs may be deformed as a result of improper installation of selector levers during column buildup. Thus the lever may not be able to be moved into the insert detents located in the steering column assembly. This could prevent the "park" gear from being engaged.

    Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the shift selector reaction spring without charge to owner.

  2. Carburetor system (fuel system)

    NHTSA 77V198000 Reported 30,000 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    On the involved vehicles, leakage may occur at the threaded carburetor-to-fuel filter connection on the suspect carburetors. This is due to an improperly machined carburetor fuel inlet connection.

    Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, will replace the carburetor without charge to owner.

  3. Column shift (power train)

    NHTSA 77V185000 Reported 19,000 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    On the involved vehicles, the park actuation support plates are defective due to their susceptibility to cracking due to improper heat treatment during manufacture. As a result, fragments from a broken plate can become lodged in the transmission parking pawl mechanism. This could prevent the transmission parking pawl from engaging when…

    Remedy: The dealer will replace the park actuation cam support plates, free of charge, on all affected vehicles.

  4. Tie rod assembly (steering)

    NHTSA 77V187000 Reported 1,885 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    On the involved vehicles, the steering tie rod and link assemblies with adjusting sleeve clamps may have been improperly manufactured. The clamps contain a sharp die mark which could cause the clamp to fracture when the clamp bolt is tightened to specifications. The clamp could break and cause separation of the tie rod adjusting sleeves.

    Remedy: The dealer will replace the steering tie rod adjusting sleeve and clamp assembly, free of charge, on all affected vehicles.

  5. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 77V161000 Reported 16,000 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    Some of the involved vehicles may have defective carburetors in which, under certain circumstances, the secondary throttle plates may stick open.

    Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the carburetor at no charge to owner.

No owner complaints on file

NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 1978 Ford E350. 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 Ford E350 model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Ford E350 model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1975 Ford E35040
1976 Ford E35010
1977 Ford E35010
1978 Ford E35050
1979 Ford E35030
1980 Ford E35010
1981 Ford E35020
1982 Ford E35030
1983 Ford E35084
1984 Ford E350124
1985 Ford E350102
1986 Ford E3501110
1987 Ford E350814
1988 Ford E350110
1989 Ford E350325
1990 Ford E350223
1997 Ford E35010
1998 Ford E35010
1999 Ford E35010
2000 Ford E35020
2002 Ford E35010
2003 Ford E35010
2005 Ford E35020
2006 Ford E35010
2007 Ford E35010
2008 Ford E35010
2009 Ford E35011
2010 Ford E35011
2011 Ford E35011
2012 Ford E35010
2013 Ford E35010

Checking a specific 1978 Ford E350

How do I know if my 1978 Ford E350 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. 5 campaigns currently list the 1978 Ford E350; 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 Ford dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 77V161000).

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 Ford models

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.