RecallMyCar

1976 Ford Pinto Recalls, Complaints & Specs

6 safety recalls list the 1976 Ford Pinto, and owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

6
safety recalls
1
owner complaint to NHTSA

6 safety recalls for the 1976 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. Bumpers (structure)

    NHTSA 78V069000 Reported 284,000 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    In the event of a frontal impact, fuel leakage may occur at the fuel line to fuel pump connection in the engine compartment. These vehicles fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 301, "fuel system integrity".

    Remedy: Dealer will install a pair of front bumper bracket extension plates to supply added protection for this fuel line connection.

  3. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)

    NHTSA 76V170000 Reported 372,584 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

  4. Recliner (seats)

    NHTSA 76V134000 Reported 5,200 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

  5. Recliner (seats)

    NHTSA 76V112000 Reported 6,373 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

  6. Cables (vehicle speed control)

    NHTSA 76V067000 Reported 410,580 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1976 Ford Pinto have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA. Complaints peaked in 2003 with 1 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“The vehicle did not come equipped with a shield to protect the gas tank. *ak *jb”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 20, 2003 · Fuel system, gasoline

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 1976 Ford Pinto

How do I know if my 1976 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. 6 campaigns currently list the 1976 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 76V067000).

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.