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1971 Ford Pinto Recalls, Complaints & Specs

5 safety recalls list the 1971 Ford Pinto. Check your own VIN below.

5
safety recalls
0
owner complaints to NHTSA

5 safety recalls for the 1971 Ford Pinto

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

  1. Tank assembly (fuel system)

    NHTSA 78V143000 Reported 1,400,000 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    In the event the vehicle is struck from the rear, the fuel filler pipe could disconnect from the tank or the tank could be punctured in the forward face. This would result in fuel leakage.

    Remedy: The dealer will install a longer fuel filler pipe having an improved seal. Also, a polyethylene shield will be installed on the front of the fuel tank.

  2. Fluid (service brakes)

    NHTSA 71V111000 Reported 4,225 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY
  3. Carburetor system (fuel system)

    NHTSA 71V045000 Reported 215,823 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY
  4. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 70V134000 Reported 26,000 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY
  5. Labels (equipment)

    NHTSA 70V114000 Reported 4,188 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

No owner complaints on file

NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 1971 Ford Pinto. 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 Pinto model years

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

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1971 Ford Pinto50
1972 Ford Pinto31
1973 Ford Pinto40
1974 Ford Pinto20
1975 Ford Pinto10
1976 Ford Pinto61
1977 Ford Pinto40
1978 Ford Pinto21
1979 Ford Pinto20
1980 Ford Pinto02

Checking a specific 1971 Ford Pinto

How do I know if my 1971 Ford Pinto 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 1971 Ford Pinto; 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 70V114000).

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.