1978 Ford E250 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
6 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.
What could happen: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.
The fix: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.
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 E250.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 07E064000.
- 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: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Summary: CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.
Consequence: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET CARTER, NAPA, ACCUFLOW, TRU FLOW, PARTS MASTER, AND PARTS DEPOT BRAND FUEL PUMPS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED MOTOR VEHICLES. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
2. Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE DEFECTIVE CARBURETORS IN WHICH, UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE SECONDARY THROTTLE PLATES MAY STICK OPEN.
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE CARBURETOR AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
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 E250.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 77V161000.
- 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: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Summary: SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE DEFECTIVE CARBURETORS IN WHICH, UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE SECONDARY THROTTLE PLATES MAY STICK OPEN.
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE CARBURETOR AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND LIGHT TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 460 CIDENGINES.SYSTEM: THROTTLE LINKAGES; THROTTLE LEVER.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IN THE EVENT OF THROTTLE STICKING, THE VEHICLE MAYCONTINUE TO ACCELERATE AFTER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED. CONTINUOUSACCELERATION COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING AND LEAD TO A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROLAND AN ACCIDENT.NOTE: THE LIKELIHOOD OF THE CONDITION OCCURRING CAN BE REDUCED BY AVOIDING FULLOR NEARLY FULL DEPRESSIONS OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AS DURING HIGH ACCELERATIONOR FULL POWER OPERATIONS.
3. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. 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.
What could happen:
The fix: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE STEERING TIE ROD ADJUSTING SLEEVE AND CLAMP ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE, ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES.
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 E250.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 77V187000.
- 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: STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
Summary: 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.
Consequence:
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE STEERING TIE ROD ADJUSTING SLEEVE AND CLAMP ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE, ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT TRUCKS.SYSTEM: STEERING; TIE ROD ADJUSTING SLEEVE CLAMPS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: SHOULD SEPARATION OCCUR, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL ANDAN ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
4. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. 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 THE SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION, OR PREVENT THE PAWL FROM BEI…
What could happen:
The fix: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PARK ACTUATION CAM SUPPORT PLATES, FREE OF CHARGE, ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES.
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 E250.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 77V185000.
- 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: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
Summary: 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 THE SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION, OR PREVENT THE PAWL FROM BEING DISENGAGED FROM THE PARK GEAR.
Consequence:
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PARK ACTUATION CAM SUPPORT PLATES, FREE OF CHARGE, ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND LIGHT TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH C-6AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.SYSTEM: POWER TRAIN; PARK ACTUATION GEAR SUPPORT PLATES.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN THE PARK MODE WITHOUT THEPARKING BRAKE ENGAGED, THE PARKING PAWL MAY NOT ENGAGE THE "PARK" GEAR AND THEVEHICLE WOULD BE ALLOWED TO ROLL FREE CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE AND PERSONALINJURIES.
5. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. 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.
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE THE CARBURETOR WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
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 E250.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 77V198000.
- 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: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
Summary: 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.
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE THE CARBURETOR WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 300 CID ENGINES.SYSTEM: FUEL; CARBURETOR.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT WHEN FUEL LEAKAGEOCCURS, A FIRE COULD START AND CAUSE ENGINE DAMAGE AND SERIOUS INJURY TOVEHICLE OCCUPANTS.NOTE: FUEL ODORS MAY INDICATE A LEAK.
6. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. 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.
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE SHIFT SELECTOR REACTION SPRING WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
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 E250.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 78V035000.
- 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: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
Summary: 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.
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE SHIFT SELECTOR REACTION SPRING WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ANDOPTIONAL TILT STEERING.SYSTEM: POWER TRAIN; TRANSMISSION SHIFT SELECTOR.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF THE PARKING GEAR IS NOT ACTUALLY ENGAGED AND THEVEHICLE IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE WITHOUT APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, THEVEHICLE COULD ROLL FREE. PROPERTY DAMAGE AND PERSONAL INJURY TO BYSTANDERSCOULD RESULT.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1978 Ford E250 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Body / structure (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)
09/20/2000 · Body / structure
WE HAVE HAD THIS VAN FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. IT IS NOT USED MUCH NOW. THE PROBLEM IS THE WHEELS DO NOT TRACK. THE FRONT WHEELS ARE OFFSET TO THE LEFT, WHEN LOOKING FORWARD. I HAVE NOTICED THIS ON MANY OTHER FORD E TYPE VANS AND F TYPE PICKUP TRUCKS ON THE HIGHWAY. THE BODY OF THESE AFFECTED VEHICLES SEEMS TO BE CANTED, NOT GOING STRAIGHT DOWN THE HIGHWAY. IT…