← Back to Search

1978 Ford Fairmont Wagon 3MT

The 1978 Ford Fairmont Wagon 3MT is an 88-hp 2.3-liter inline-4 wagon with a 3-speed manual and rear-wheel drive.

It makes 88 horsepower.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeWagon
PowertrainGas
Engine
Engine Type2.3L Inline-4 SOHC
Displacement2.3 L
Horsepower88 hp
ValvetrainSOHC, 2 valves/cylinder
Injection TypeCarburetor
Drivetrain
Drive TypeRWD
Transmission
Transmission3-speed manual
Dimensions & Weight
Wheelbase105.5 in

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

10 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1978 Ford FAIRMONT. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Aug 27, 2007 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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.

NHTSA campaign 07E064000

Sep 21, 1978 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

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 EXHAUST PULSES. THIS CAUSES AN OVERLY RICH AIR/FUEL MIXTURE, REDUCED FUEL ECONOMY AND REDUCED ENGINE PERFORMANCE. CONTINUED VEHICLE OPERATION MAY RESULT IN ENGINE STALLING OR OVERHEATING OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.

Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PULSE AIR SYSTEM REED VALVE AND SILENCER WITHOUT CHARGE.

NHTSA campaign 78V203000

Aug 7, 1978 · VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

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.

NHTSA campaign 78V167000

Jun 27, 1978 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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.

NHTSA campaign 78V150000

Jun 19, 1978 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

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 CONTROL FUNCTION, WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR STARTING IN GEAR OR AN INABILITY TO ENGAGE THE PARKING GEAR.

Remedy: DRIVER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL NEW TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE PARTS, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

NHTSA campaign 78V144000

Jan 10, 1978 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

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.

NHTSA campaign 78V004000

Dec 15, 1977 · EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

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.

NHTSA campaign 77V221000

Oct 12, 1977 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

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.

NHTSA campaign 77V170000

Sep 22, 1977 · 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 ALSO BE REDUCED.

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL THE CORRECT REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

NHTSA campaign 77V159000

Sep 22, 1977 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

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.

NHTSA campaign 77V158000

2 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1978 Ford FAIRMONT

Owner Complaints

2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1978 Ford FAIRMONT. See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Power Train2
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Feb 25, 1998 · Power Train
“CONSUMER EXPERIENCING FAILURES DESCRIBED IN RECALL NOTICE.”
Feb 11, 1998 · Power Train
“TRANSMISSION FAILURE, COMPONENT MAY BE INCLUDED IN RECALL.”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1978 FORD FAIRMONT. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

← Back to Search