1978 Ford F250 problems

General information about Ford-F250
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list

The Ford Super Duty (also known as the Ford F-Series Super Duty) is a series of heavy-duty pickup trucks produced by the Ford Motor Company since the 1999 model year. Slotted above the consumer-oriented Ford F-150, the Super Duty trucks are an expansion of the Ford F-Series range, from F-250 to the F-600. The F-250 through F-450 are offered as pickup trucks, while the F-350 through F-600 are offered as chassis cabs.

Rather than adapting the lighter-duty F-150 truck for heavier use, Super Duty trucks have been designed as a dedicated variant of the Ford F-Series. The heavier-duty chassis components allow for heavier payloads and towing capabilities. With a GVWR over 8,500 lb (3,900 kg), Super Duty pickups are Class 2 and 3 trucks, while chassis-cab trucks are offered in Classes 3, 4, 5, and 6. The model line also offers Ford Power Stroke V8 diesel engines as an option.

Ford also offers a medium-duty version of the F-Series (F-650 and F-750), which is sometimes branded as the Super Duty, but is another chassis variant. The Super Duty pickup truck also served as the basis for the Ford Excursion full-sized SUV.

The Super Duty trucks and chassis-cabs are assembled at the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, Kentucky, and at Ohio Assembly in Avon Lake, Ohio. Prior to 2016, medium-duty trucks were assembled in Mexico under the Blue Diamond Truck joint venture with Navistar International.

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Common 1978 Ford F250 problems

Based on the complaints from owners of the 1978 Ford F-250, several common problems have been identified:

Brake System Failure: Another prevalent problem was the tendency for the brake system to fail due to rust and corrosion. Exposure to road salt and environmental factors caused brake lines and components to deteriorate over time, compromising the truck's braking capabilities and safety.

Steering System Problems: The steering system in the 1978 Ford F-250 had issues that could cause the truck to veer to one side or the other, especially at high speeds. This issue posed a significant safety concern for drivers, affecting the vehicle's handling and stability on the road.

Transmission Troubles: Some models experienced transmission problems, including slipping or shifting issues. These transmission issues could lead to performance issues, affecting the overall driving experience and potentially causing safety hazards on the road.

Fuel Tank Leaks: Certain 1978 models had problems with the fuel tank developing leaks, which not only led to decreased fuel efficiency but also posed a potential fire hazard. Leaking fuel tanks are a serious safety concern that requires immediate attention and repair to prevent accidents.

Radiator Leaks: The radiator in some 1978 models was reported to develop leaks, causing the engine to overheat. Engine overheating can lead to severe damage and engine failure if not addressed promptly, highlighting the importance of regular maintenance and inspection of cooling system components.

Exhaust System Issues: Some 1978 models experienced problems with the exhaust system, leading to excessive emissions and reduced engine performance. Issues with the exhaust system can impact the vehicle's environmental impact and overall engine efficiency, requiring timely repairs for optimal performance.

These common problems with the 1978 Ford F-250 highlight the importance of regular maintenance, prompt repairs, and thorough inspections to ensure the vehicle's longevity, performance, and safety on the road. Addressing these issues promptly can help owners maintain their vehicles in optimal condition and prevent potential safety hazards while driving.

What years of F-250 to avoid?

The worst years for used Ford F-250 include:

2002 Ford F-250.
2006 Ford F-250.
2008 Ford F-250.
2011 Ford F-250.
2017 Ford F-250.

What engine does a 1978 Ford F-250 have?

400 cubic-inch V8

Powering this pickup is Ford's big 400 cubic-inch V8. It inhales deeper with a Holley four-barrel carburetor.

What years of F-250 are most reliable?

The 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2005 Ford F-250 models are still talked about to this day. They offered excellent performance and great reliability. However, they are probably too old for you to buy one now. The most popular model year for the Ford F-250 is currently the 2016.

How much towing capacity does a 1978 F-250 have?

The towing capacity of the 1978 Ford F250 supports up to 2000kg.

What years of F-250 to avoid?

The worst years for used Ford F-250 include:

2002 Ford F-250.
2006 Ford F-250.
2008 Ford F-250.
2011 Ford F-250.
2017 Ford F-250.

What years of F-250 are most reliable?

What engine does a 1978 Ford F-250 have?

400 cubic-inch V8

Powering this pickup is Ford's big 400 cubic-inch V8. It inhales deeper with a Holley four-barrel carburetor.

How reliable is a Ford F-250?

The probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 22% for the Ford F-250 Super Duty, compared to an average of 18% for fullsize trucks and 12% for all vehicle models. The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of a vehicle.

1978 Ford F250 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ford F250 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Fuel system problems
Gasoline problems
Power train problems
Engine and engine cooling problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1978 Ford F250 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1978 Ford F250 complaints

The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1978 Ford F250.

2009-12-17

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2007-05-01
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN
Summary: WE HAVE A 1978 F250 AND ACCORDING TO WHAT I CAN TELL THERE ARE SEVERAL SAFETY RECALLS. HOW CAN I KNOW WHETHER OR NOT THEY WERE FIXED. THIS WAS BEFORE FORD KEPT COMPUTER RECORDS (MAYBE). ANY HELP YOU COULD BE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *TR THANKS MARK ASKREN

Add Complaint

1996-06-24

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1996-06-01
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Summary: WARPED ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD DUE TO DESIGN FLAW. *AK

Add Complaint

1978 Ford F250 recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 10 recalls for different components of the 1978 Ford F250.

2007-08-27

Manufacturer: FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATION
Components: 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.

1978-08-07

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
Summary: THE DRIVER"S SIDE SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR MOUNTING BRACKET ASSEMBLY CONTAINS A WELD NUT WHICH WAS IMPROPERLY ATTACHED TO THE BRACKET. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES".
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPAIR THE LEFT SIDE SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR MOUNTING BRACKET ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE.

1978-05-15

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Components: STEERING:LINKAGES
Summary: THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH STEERING LINKAGES ON WHICH COTTER PINS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON CASTELLATED NUTS TO SECURE THE STEERING DRAG LINK AND TIE-ROD CONNECTIONS. ALSO, THESE ATTACHING NUTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS. THIS COULD ALLOW LINKAGE SEPARATION.
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL PERFORM NECESSARY CORRECTIONS TO THE STEERING LINKAGE ATTACHMENTS.

1978-04-28

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Summary: SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS THAT WERE ASSEMBLED WITH IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED CAST IRON EXTENSION HOUSINGS. THE HOUSINGS HAVE MISLOCATED CAST CAM PLATE STOPS. A MISLOCATED STOP MAY PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION FROM LOCKING IN THE PARK POSITION WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "P" (PARK) POSITION. IF THIS OCCURS A DRIVER MAY RELY UPON THE READING ON THE GEARSHIFT SELECTOR LEVER INDICATOR AND MAY ASSUME THAT THE TRANSMISSION PARKING GEAR IS ENGAGED.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION EXTENSION HOUSING WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

1978-02-16

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Components: 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.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE SHIFT SELECTOR REACTION SPRING WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

1978-01-30

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Components: WHEELS:MULTI PIECE
Summary: THE WHEEL RIM DIAMETERS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY EXCEED DIMENSIONAL SPECIFICATIONS. THIS MAY CAUSE THE TIRES AND TUBES TO BE OVERSTRESSED DURING MOUNTING OR IMPROPERLY MOUNTED.
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE WHEELS, AND THE TIRES AND TUBES MOUNTED ON THESE WHEELS.

1977-11-15

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Components: 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.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE THE CARBURETOR WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

1977-10-25

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

1977-10-12

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Components: STEERING:LINKAGES
Summary: THE PITMAN ARM TO STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT NUTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES. THE NUT COULD COME OFF DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.
Remedy: DEALER WILL TIGHTEN THE PITMAN ARM ATTACHING NUT TO THE CORRECT SPECIFICATIONS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

1977-09-23

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Components: 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.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE CARBURETOR AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

Additional sources

More sources of information about 1978 Ford F250 problems:

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