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1978 Ford Thunderbird Base

The 1978 Ford Thunderbird Base is a 130-hp 4.9-liter V8 with a 3-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive.

It makes 130 horsepower.

The Thunderbird measures 217.7 inches long on a 114.0-inch wheelbase.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeCoupe
PowertrainGas
Engine
Engine Type4.9L V8 OHV
Displacement4.9 L
Horsepower130 hp
ValvetrainOHV, 2 valves/cylinder
Injection Type2-barrel carburetor
Drivetrain
Drive TypeRWD
Transmission
Transmission3-speed automatic
Dimensions & Weight
Length217.7 in
Width78.5 in
Height52.6 in
Wheelbase114 in

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

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

Mar 6, 2008 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

INTERCONTINENTAL AUTO PARTS IS RECALLING 1,937 FUEL FILTERS, P/NOS ALG 44/1 AND PUROLATOR F10024, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 14 AND FEBRUARY 13, 2008, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FILTER'S OUTLET CAP MAY NOT BE SECURELY CRIMPED TO THE HOUSING. THIS COULD RESULT IN A SEPARATION OF FILTER'S OUTLET CAP FROM THE HOUSING.

Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, A NO START CONDITION MAY RESULT AND FUEL MAY BE PUMPED ONTO THE GROUND. IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP DUE TO INADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, FUEL LEAKAGE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: INTERCONTINENTAL WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING MARCH 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT INTERCONTINENTAL AT 800-451-2593.

NHTSA campaign 08E019000

May 15, 1978 · SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH SHOULDER HARNESS RETRACTORS THAT MAY NOT LOCK. SHOULD THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN DECELERATION OR IMPACT, THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE RESTRAINED BY THE SHOULDER HARNESS PORTION OF THE THREE-POINT SEAT BELT SYSTEM. FURTHERMORE, THE SHOULDER HARNESS RETRACTORS MAY NOT ALLOW EXTRACTION OF THE SHOULDER BELT WEBBING DUE TO A PRE-LOCKED CONDITION. THIS IS A NON-COMPLIANCE TO THE EMERGENCY LOCKING RETRACTOR PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES".

Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES IF NECESSARY, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

NHTSA campaign 78V108000

Nov 15, 1977 · WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH CAST ALUMINUM WHEELS WITH INADEQUATE LUG NUT COUNTERBORE DEPTHS. THIS CONDITION MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT LUG NUT THREAD ENGAGEMENT. THE LUG NUTS MAY LOOSEN AND FALL OFF, ALLOWING THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NEESSARY, WILL REPLACE THE WHEELS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

NHTSA campaign 77V199000

Oct 25, 1977 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

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.

Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PARK ACTUATION CAM SUPPORT PLATES, FREE OF CHARGE, ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES.

NHTSA campaign 77V185000

1 owner complaint to NHTSA for the 1978 Ford THUNDERBIRD

Owner Complaints

1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA for the 1978 Ford THUNDERBIRD (1 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Electrical System1
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Nov 22, 2000 · Electrical System 2 injuries
“WHEN I TURNED THE KEY IT WOULD NOT MOVE. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED, AND I COULD NOT DO ANYTHING. THE KEY WILL NOT EVEN MOVE AT ALL. *AK”

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 THUNDERBIRD. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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