1978 Mercury Zephyr Recalls, Complaints & Specs
10 safety recalls list the 1978 Mercury Zephyr, and owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
10 safety recalls for the 1978 Mercury Zephyr
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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Crankcase (pcv) (engine and engine cooling)
The involved vehicles contain emission control systems that utilize a pulse air reed valve to permit air flow from the air cleaner to the exhaust manifold on negative pressure pulsations. These reed valves may fail under cold weather conditions, causing a backflow of exhaust gas into the air cleaner and fuel induction system on positive…
Remedy: The dealer will replace the pulse air system reed valve and silencer without charge.
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Linkages (visibility)
The windshield wiper drive linkage on the affected vehicles may fracture due to metal fatigue as a result of repeated flexing of the drive arm across a stress sensitive area. This condition will render the windshield wiper system inoperative.
Remedy: The dealer will install an improved windshield wiper linkage without cost to owner.
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)
An improper transmission shift bracket was installed which, because of its design, could contact and abrade the fuel hose. Fuel leakage and possible accumulation of fuel on a surface beneath a parked vehicle could result.
Remedy: The dealer will replace the transmission shift bracket and its related parts, including the fuel hose if found necessary, free of charge.
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Column shift (power train)
Transmission shift control rods were installed that were intended for use with the steering columns of a prior design level. Attachment of the shift control rod with the steering column shift lever grommet will allow relative movement between these parts. Continued usage could result in grommet wear and deterioration of the shift…
Remedy: Driver will inspect and, if necessary, install new transmission shift linkage parts, without charge to owner.
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Interior/under dash (electrical system)
Because of its position, the wiring assembly may chafe against the cowl-to-brake pedal support brace which is located under the instrument panel.
Remedy: The dealer will install protective shields on the brake pedal support brace and perform repairs, if necessary.
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Air conditioner (equipment)
The involved vehicles are equipped with air conditioning units which contain blower motor resistor wires which are improperly positioned. As a result, under certain conditions the polypropylene case material could become overheated and eventually ignite, especially if the blower motor switch is in the low or medium position.
Remedy: Dealer will modify the involved units as found necessary.
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Column shift (power train)
On some of the involved vehicles, the transmission parking pawl may not engage the parking gear when the transmission selector lever is placed in the "park" position. This condition is attributable to excessive free play in the transmission shift linkage adjustment.
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and properly adjust the shift linkage, at no charge.
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Rotor (service brakes)
The front disc brake rotors installed on the involved vehicles may have been improperly manufactured so that they contain cracks. These cracked rotors could fracture during vehicle braking and cause brake pull and affect vehicle directional control.
Remedy: Dealer will replace both front disc brake rotors on involved vehicles, without charge to owners.
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Suspension: rear
The involved vehicles may be in non-compliance to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 105, "hydraulic brake systems", due to installation of incorrect rear axle assemblies. Consequently, early rear wheel lock-up under light loading conditions could result causing vehicle directional instability. Rear braking effectiveness would…
Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, install the correct rear axle assembly without charge to owner.
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Service brakes, hydraulic
The involved vehicles may have been incorrectly equipped with manual brakes instead of power brakes. Consequently, a non-compliance to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 105, "hydraulic brake systems", may exist.
Remedy: Dealer will remove the manual brake components and install power brake components on all involved vehicles, without charge.
2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1978 Mercury Zephyr have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a fire. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 150,000 miles. Complaints peaked in 1999 with 1 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“When the brakes were applied suddenly, the seat belts did not lock as designed.*jb”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 5, 2003 · Seat belts
“Wires in steering column shorted out resulting in fire.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 21, 1999 · Electrical system
Compare Mercury Zephyr model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Mercury Zephyr model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 Mercury Zephyr | 10 | 2 |
| 1979 Mercury Zephyr | 3 | 1 |
| 1980 Mercury Zephyr | 1 | 0 |
| 1981 Mercury Zephyr | 1 | 0 |
| 1982 Mercury Zephyr | 1 | 1 |
| 1983 Mercury Zephyr | 2 | 1 |
| 1994 Mercury Zephyr | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 1978 Mercury Zephyr
How do I know if my 1978 Mercury Zephyr 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. 10 campaigns currently list the 1978 Mercury Zephyr; 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 Mercury dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 77V158000).
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 Mercury models
- Sable5,381 complaints
- Grand Marquis3,951 complaints
- Milan2,519 complaints
- Mountaineer1,992 complaints
- Cougar1,893 complaints
- Villager1,725 complaints
- Mariner1,296 complaints
- Mystique1,019 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.