1978 Ford Mustang Ii recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
5 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 MUSTANG II.
- 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. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS ON CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY FAIL TO LOCK DUE TO BINDING OF THE LOCKING PAWL AGAINST THE RETRACTOR HOUSING. THIS BINDING IS CAUSED BY RETRACTOR HOUSING DEFORMATION WHICH OCCURRED DURING ASSEMBLY. AS A RESULT THE PASSENGERS WOULD BE RESTRAINED ONLY BY THE FULLY EXTENDED BELT. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION".
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE ONE OR BOTH REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE.
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 MUSTANG II.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 78V047000.
- 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:RETRACTOR
Summary: THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS ON CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY FAIL TO LOCK DUE TO BINDING OF THE LOCKING PAWL AGAINST THE RETRACTOR HOUSING. THIS BINDING IS CAUSED BY RETRACTOR HOUSING DEFORMATION WHICH OCCURRED DURING ASSEMBLY. AS A RESULT THE PASSENGERS WOULD BE RESTRAINED ONLY BY THE FULLY EXTENDED BELT. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION".
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE ONE OR BOTH REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: INTERIOR; REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: INADEQUATELY RESTRAINED PASSENGERS COULD BE SERIOUSLYINJURED IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.
3. Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. THE DUST TUBE PORTION OF THE ACCELERATOR CABLE ASSEMBLY ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY BIND DUE TO IMPROPER CRIMPING OF THE CABLE ASSEMBLY DURING MANUFACTURE. AS A RESULT, THE RETURN RATE OF THE THROTTLE MAY BE SLOWED OR THE THROTTLE MAY BE PREVENTED FROM CLOSING PROPERLY. IN THIS CONDITION, A VEHICLE SPEED OF 30 T0 40 MPH COULD BE MAINTAINED WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECCESSARY, WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE ASSEMBLY, 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 MUSTANG II.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 77V196000.
- 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:CABLES
Summary: THE DUST TUBE PORTION OF THE ACCELERATOR CABLE ASSEMBLY ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY BIND DUE TO IMPROPER CRIMPING OF THE CABLE ASSEMBLY DURING MANUFACTURE. AS A RESULT, THE RETURN RATE OF THE THROTTLE MAY BE SLOWED OR THE THROTTLE MAY BE PREVENTED FROM CLOSING PROPERLY. IN THIS CONDITION, A VEHICLE SPEED OF 30 T0 40 MPH COULD BE MAINTAINED WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECCESSARY, WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE ASSEMBLY, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: FUEL; ACCELERATOR CABLES.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: LOSS OF VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL COULD RESULT AND COULDLEAD TO AN ACCIDENT.
4. Engine
What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. THE FLEXIBLE BLADE ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADES MAY CRACK AND BREAK OFF. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY HIGH BLADE STRESSES THAT CAN RESULT FROM VIBRATION DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ENGINE COOLING FAN AT NO COST 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 MUSTANG II.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 83V025000.
- 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: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
Summary: THE FLEXIBLE BLADE ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADES MAY CRACK AND BREAK OFF. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY HIGH BLADE STRESSES THAT CAN RESULT FROM VIBRATION DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ENGINE COOLING FAN AT NO COST TO OWNER.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.8 LITER ENGINES ANDOPTIONAL AIR CONDITIONING.SYSTEM: ENGINE; ENGINE COOLING FAN.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: A BLADE FRAGMENT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FAN ASSEMBLYWITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. A BROKEN BLADE OR FRAGMENT MAY DAMAGE UNDER-HOODCOMPONENTS.NOTE: IF THE HOOD IS OPEN WHEN BLADE SEPARATION OCCURS, PERSONS NEAR THEVEHICLE COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED.
5. Engine
What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. THE SEVEN-BLADE ENGINE COOLING FAN IS SUBJECT TO FATIGUE CRACKING DURING NORMAL OPERATION. PORTIONS OF THE BLADES MAY SEPARATE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
What could happen:
The fix: DEFECTIVE FANS WILL BE REPLACED WITH FANS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN WITHOUT CHARGE.
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 MUSTANG II.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 81V003000.
- 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: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
Summary: THE SEVEN-BLADE ENGINE COOLING FAN IS SUBJECT TO FATIGUE CRACKING DURING NORMAL OPERATION. PORTIONS OF THE BLADES MAY SEPARATE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Consequence:
Remedy: DEFECTIVE FANS WILL BE REPLACED WITH FANS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN WITHOUT CHARGE.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 302 CID ENGINES.SYSTEM: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; FLEXIBLE BLADE FANS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: FLYING PIECES FROM A ROTATING FAN CREATE A RISK OFDAMAGE TO UNDERHOOD COMPONENTS AND MAY CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY TO NEARBYINDIVIDUALS.NOTE: ENGINE SHOULD NOT BE LEFT RUNNING WITH THE HOOD OPEN UNTIL THE FAN HASBEEN REPLACED.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1978 Ford Mustang Ii owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Fuel system (2), Gasoline (2), Brakes (1), Hydraulic (1), Electrical system (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (4)
05/16/2001 · Fuel system
CONSUMER'S FUEL CAP IS NOT FUNCTIONING AND WAS ADVISED THAT A LOCKING FUEL CAP IS NEEDED TO PASS EMISSIONS, LOCKING GAS CAPS ARE AVAILABLE NEW AND USED BUT WITHOUT REFERENCE TO CALIFORNIA APPROVAL OR ANY WARRANTY. *JB
05/07/1997 · Brakes
BRAKE POWER BOOSTER FAILED.
05/07/1997 · Fuel system
CARBURETOR/CHOKE FAILED.
05/07/1997 · Electrical system
STARTER FAILED.