1978 Dodge B200 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Body / structure
What's wrong, in plain English: Body panels, frame, doors, hood, trunk or latches. THE FRONT RAIL EXTENSION MAY EXPERIENCE FATIGUE CRACKING NEAR THE AREA WHERE THE POWER STEERING GEAR ATTACHES TO THE FRAME. IF THE CRACK PROGRESSES THROUGH MOST OR ALL OF THE RAIL SECTION, STEERING SYSTEM FREE PLAY ACCOMPANIED BY METALLIC RATTLE NOISE WILL BE EXPERIENCED.
What could happen:
The fix: AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE WELD REPAIRED AND A REINFORCEMENT ROD WILL BE INSTALLED OVER THE CRACKED AREA.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1978 B200.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 80V027000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
Summary: THE FRONT RAIL EXTENSION MAY EXPERIENCE FATIGUE CRACKING NEAR THE AREA WHERE THE POWER STEERING GEAR ATTACHES TO THE FRAME. IF THE CRACK PROGRESSES THROUGH MOST OR ALL OF THE RAIL SECTION, STEERING SYSTEM FREE PLAY ACCOMPANIED BY METALLIC RATTLE NOISE WILL BE EXPERIENCED.
Consequence:
Remedy: AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE WELD REPAIRED AND A REINFORCEMENT ROD WILL BE INSTALLED OVER THE CRACKED AREA.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT TRUCKS.SYSTEM: STRUCTURE; LEFT FRONT FRAME RAIL.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THE CRACK CONDITION MAY CAUSE A COMPLETE LOSS OFSTEERING AND AN ACCIDENT.
2. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES", IN THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF FITTING CERTAIN ADULT PASSENGERS WHEN THE SEAT IS IN THE FULL FORWARD POSITION.
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER UNIBELT ASSEMBLY WITH AN ASSEMBLY HAVING A LONGER BELT WEBBING.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1978 B200.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 78V082000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
Summary: THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES", IN THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF FITTING CERTAIN ADULT PASSENGERS WHEN THE SEAT IS IN THE FULL FORWARD POSITION.
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER UNIBELT ASSEMBLY WITH AN ASSEMBLY HAVING A LONGER BELT WEBBING.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SLIDING SIDE DOOR AND UNIBELTOPTION.SYSTEM: INTERIOR; SEAT BELTS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE CHANCES OF INJURIESWOULD BE INCREASED FOR THOSE PASSENGERS WHO ARE UNABLE TO USE THE SEAT BELTS.
3. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE ROUTING MAY ALLOW INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE HOSES AND THE TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLIES DURING EXTREME TURNING ANGLES.
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL REPLACE BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSES AND INSTALL A NEW BRAKE HOSE SUPPORT BRACKET TO ELIMINATE CONTACT WITH TIRE/WHEEL.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1978 B200.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 79V105000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Summary: THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE ROUTING MAY ALLOW INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE HOSES AND THE TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLIES DURING EXTREME TURNING ANGLES.
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSES AND INSTALL A NEW BRAKE HOSE SUPPORT BRACKET TO ELIMINATE CONTACT WITH TIRE/WHEEL.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT TRUCKS.SYSTEM: SERVICE BRAKES; HOSE.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: ABRASION RESULTING FROM SUCH INTERFERENCE MAY RESULT INHOSE FAILURE AND LOSS OF FRONT BRAKE SYSTEM CAPABILITY.NOTE: REAR BRAKES WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE WARNINGLIGHT SHOULD ALERT DRIVER TO PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKES. DRIVING SHOLD BEDISCONTINUED IF LIGHT COMES ON.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Wheels / tires (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (1)
10/01/2007 · Wheels / tires
ALL 4 TIRES HAD THE BELT SEPARATE 1 BLEW OUT THE SIDE 2 HAD A 1 INCH DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF TREAD ONE TIRE SOUNDED LIKE YOU WERE DRIVING DOWN THE RUMBLE STRIPS ON THE HIGHWAY AND THEY ALL SHOOK AND I HAD A HEAT GUN AND WHEN THEY WENT THEY WERE RUNNING AT 190 DEG AND ONE TIRE HAD A HOT SPOT OF 310 DEG ALL 4 TIRES HAD THE SAME DOT NUMBER.…