1978 Mercury Zephyr problems

General information about Mercury-Zephyr
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list

The Ford Fairmont is a model line of compact cars that was manufactured by Ford from the 1978 to 1983 model years. The successor of the Ford Maverick, the Fairmont marked the third generation of compact sedans sold by Ford in North America. Initially slotted between the Pinto and Granada within the Ford line, the Fairmont was later marketed between the Ford Escort and Ford LTD. In contrast to its predecessor (only offered as a two-door or four-door sedan), the model line was offered as a two-door notchback sedan, two-door coupe, four-door sedan, and five-door station wagon. Though never sold as a Lincoln, Mercury sold a divisional counterpart of the Fairmont as the Mercury Zephyr.

The inaugural model lines of the rear-wheel drive Ford Fox platform (which served to replace models based on the Ford Falcon), the Fairmont and Zephyr shared underpinnings with twelve additional model lines for Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln. Though the Fairmont itself was produced for only six model years, the Fox platform would live on for another two decades, underpinning vehicles (in updated form) through the 2004 model year.

Through its production, Ford produced the Fairmont at numerous facilities across North America. On November 15, 1977, a Fairmont (a 1978 Fairmont Futura coupe) became the 100 millionth vehicle assembled by Ford Motor Company. For 1984, the model line was replaced with the front-wheel drive Ford Tempo.

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Common 1978 Mercury Zephyr problems

Based on the complaints from owners of the 1978 Mercury Zephyr, several common problems have been highlighted:

Build Quality Issues: Owners have reported various build quality issues with the 1978 Mercury Zephyr, including dirt specs in the paint, improperly installed trunk lids, and poorly fitted glove boxes. These issues indicate a lack of attention to detail during the manufacturing process, leading to a subpar overall build quality.
Rust: Some owners have mentioned rust problems in the body of the car. While described as minute spots that are not very noticeable, rust can be a significant concern as it can spread and cause structural damage if not addressed promptly.
Mechanical Reliability: Despite the car being praised for its reliability as an everyday vehicle, there have been complaints about mechanical issues. Specific problems related to the engine, transmission, or other mechanical components could affect the car's performance and longevity.
Interior Wear and Tear: The interior of the 1978 Mercury Zephyr has been noted to show signs of wear and tear due to its age. Issues such as worn-out upholstery, dashboard problems, or malfunctioning components can impact the comfort and aesthetics of the vehicle.
Performance: Some owners have expressed dissatisfaction with the car's performance, citing issues like lack of power, sluggish acceleration, or poor handling. These performance-related complaints could stem from engine problems, outdated technology, or design limitations.
Design Flaws: Complaints about design flaws, such as rattling noises, improper installations, or outdated features, suggest that the 1978 Mercury Zephyr may have had shortcomings in its overall design and execution.

By addressing these common problems reported by owners of the 1978 Mercury Zephyr, it becomes evident that the car faced various challenges related to build quality, rust, mechanical reliability, interior wear, performance, and design flaws. These issues could have influenced the overall ownership experience and perception of the vehicle during that era.

How much horsepower does a 1978 Mercury Zephyr have?

Zephyr buyers could choose between a 2.3-liter straight-four, a 3.3-liter straight-six, and a 5.0-liter V8, rated at 88, 85, and 134 horsepower, respectively (the six offered 154 lb-ft of torque versus the Pinto four's 118, so it wasn't quite as miserable a choice as the lackluster horsepower number suggests).

How many miles per gallon does a Mercury Zephyr get?

Mercury Zephyr is energy engineered for mileage and space to provide excellent mileage and good interior roominess. EPA ratings show Zephyr at 33 miles per gallon highway and 23 city (see chart), and with more. inside space than a Rolls Royce.

What years was the Mercury Zephyr made?

Ford Fairmont
Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Also called	Mercury Zephyr Ford Elite II (Mexico) Ford Zephyr (Venezuela) Ford Futura (Venezuela)
Production	1977–1983
Model years	1978–1983

What is the Mercury equivalent to the Ford Fairmont?

Mercury Zephyr

The successor of the Ford Maverick, the Fairmont marked the third generation of compact sedans sold by Ford in North America. Slotted between the Pinto and Granada within the Ford line (later the Escort and LTD), Lincoln-Mercury sold the line as the Mercury Zephyr.

How much horsepower does a 1978 Mercury Zephyr have?

What is the gas mileage on a Mercury Zephyr?

What years was the Mercury Zephyr made?

Ford Fairmont
Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Also called	Mercury Zephyr Ford Elite II (Mexico) Ford Zephyr (Venezuela) Ford Futura (Venezuela)
Production	1977–1983
Model years	1978–1983

What is the Mercury equivalent to the Ford Fairmont?

Mercury Zephyr

1978 Mercury Zephyr car problems categorized by type of issue

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

Seat belts problems
Electrical system problems

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

1978 Mercury Zephyr complaints

The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1978 Mercury Zephyr.

2003-03-05

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2003-02-19
Components: SEAT BELTS
Summary: WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED SUDDENLY, THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK AS DESIGNED.*JB

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1999-04-21

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1999-03-14
Fire: 1
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: WIRES IN STEERING COLUMN SHORTED OUT RESULTING IN FIRE.

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1978 Mercury Zephyr recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 11 recalls for different components of the 1978 Mercury Zephyr.

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.

1978-09-21

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
Summary: 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.

1978-08-07

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Components: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
Summary: 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.

1978-06-27

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Summary: 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.

1978-06-19

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
Summary: 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.

1978-01-10

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
Summary: 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.

1977-12-15

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Components: EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
Summary: 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.

1977-10-12

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
Summary: 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.

1977-09-22

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Summary: THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL BRAKES INSTEAD OF POWER BRAKES. CONSEQUENTLY, A NON-COMPLIANCE TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS", MAY EXIST.
Remedy: DEALER WILL REMOVE THE MANUAL BRAKE COMPONENTS AND INSTALL POWER BRAKE COMPONENTS ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES, WITHOUT CHARGE.

1977-09-22

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Components: SUSPENSION:REAR
Summary: 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.

1977-09-22

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
Summary: 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.

Additional sources

More sources of information about 1978 Mercury Zephyr problems:

How good were the 1978-83 Ford Fairmont/Mercury Zephyr's? (MPG ...

https://www.city-data.com/forum/ford-lincoln/600667-how-good-were-1978-83-ford-fairmont-mercury-zephyr-s-5.html

This car had no issues or lack of power, or rattles,etc.. just a solid car. These cars are becoming more and more popular everyday, even old ...

Common Problems With Cruise Control?

http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthread.php?186660-Common-Problems-With-Cruise-Control

Oct 2, 2018 ... Thanks in advance! Brad '79 Mercury Zephyr ES 5.0L GT40 EFI, T-5 '17 Ford Focus ST '14 Ford Fusion SE Manual. 10-03-2018, 06:17 AM #2.

Curbside Outtake: 1978-83 Mercury Zephyr - That Very Rare Clean ...

https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/cc-outtake/curbside-outtake-1978-83-mercury-zephyr-that-very-rare-clean-design/

Aug 23, 2021 ... I don't recall the Köln ever being offered in the Fairmont, though it was in the Fox Mustang at first until supply problems displaced it in ...

Still have the Headlight Door Problem!!! - TheLincolnForum.Net

https://www.thelincolnforum.net/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?t=26934

Hope, this helps, though. Armin. Armin A. Arndt, 1974 Lincoln Continental Town Car 1978 Mercury Zephyr Z7 1979 Continental Mark V Givenchy Edition 2005 ...