1978 Plymouth Fury problems

plymouth logo

The Plymouth Fury is a model of automobile that was produced by Plymouth from 1955 until 1989. It was introduced for the 1956 model year as a sub-series of the Plymouth Belvedere, becoming a separate series one level above the contemporary Belvedere for 1959. The Fury was a full-size car from 1959 until 1961, then a mid-size car from 1962 until 1964, again, a full-size car from 1965 through 1974, and again, a mid-size car from 1975 through 1978. From 1975 until 1977, the Fury was sold alongside the full-size Plymouth Gran Fury. In 1978, the B-body Fury was the largest Plymouth, and by 1979, there was no large Plymouth. This product gap was filled in 1980 with the R-body Gran Fury, followed by the M-body Fury in 1982. Production of the last V8, RWD Plymouth Fury ended at the Kenosha Main assembly plant in Kenosha, WI, on December 23, 1988. Unlike its sibling brand, Dodge, Plymouth would not live to see the resurgence of the large, V8/RWD sedan.

Early history (1956–1958)

The Fury was a sub-series of the Plymouth Belvedere from 1956 through 1958. It was sold only as a sandstone white two-door hardtop with gold anodized aluminum trim, in 1956 and 1957. In 1958, it was only available in buckskin beige with gold anodized aluminum trim. These Furys had special interiors, bumper wing-guards and V8 engines with twin four-barrel carburetors. The 1957 and 1958 318 cu in (5.2 L)-engine produced 290 hp (216 kW), shared with the Dodge Coronet.

The 1957 models were restyled; longer, wider, with very large vertical tailfins and a new torsion bar front suspension replacing the previous coil springs. While the new styling boosted sales, quality control suffered for all Chrysler products as they were brought quickly to market before their design and construction weaknesses could be fully addressed by engineering. The front suspension introduced Chrysler's Torsion-Aire Torsion bar suspension shared with all Chrysler products starting in 1957.

In 1958, the optional engine was a "big block" 350 cu in (5.7 L) called the "Golden Commando" with two four-barrel carburetors producing 305 hp (227 kW). A 315 hp (235 kW) option with fuel injection was available, but the Bendix electronic fuel-injection system was recalled by the factory and owners were given a conventional dual four-barrel setup. The Golden Commando engine was optional on any Plymouth Plaza, Savoy, Belvedere, Suburban, and Fury, as was the dual four-barrel 318 cu in (5.2 L) (dubbed the "V-800 Dual Fury"; four- and two-barrel 318s also arrived for 1958 and were simply called "V-800s").

1978 Plymouth Fury

Social links

Common 1978 Plymouth Fury problems

The 1978 Plymouth Fury, while a reliable and comfortable vehicle, has been known to have several common problems based on complaints from its owners.

  • Fuel system problems: Fuel line issues, such as holes or rust inside the lines, can cause problems with the fuel system. This can lead to difficulty starting the car or intermittent running issues.
  • Electrical issues: Electrical problems, such as charging system issues and non-functioning gauges, have been reported by owners. These issues can be caused by corroded wiring, blown fuses, or faulty components.
  • Mechanical issues: Mechanical issues, such as a sloppy shifter linkage, worn-out transmission components, and shavings found in the oil, can indicate more significant problems with the drivetrain. These issues can lead to poor performance, decreased fuel efficiency, and even complete engine failure.
  • Interior issues: Some owners have reported issues with the interior, such as non-functioning dome lights, map lights, and blower fans. These issues can be caused by faulty switches, blown fuses, or worn-out components.
  • Body and paint issues: The 1978 Plymouth Fury can suffer from body and paint issues, such as orange peel and poor paint quality. These issues can be caused by improper painting techniques, low-quality paint, or environmental factors.
  • Suspension and steering issues: Suspension and steering issues, such as worn-out bushings, loose steering components, and worn-out shocks, have been reported by owners. These issues can lead to poor handling, decreased ride quality, and even unsafe driving conditions.
  • Braking issues: Brake fade and poor brake performance have been reported by some owners. These issues can be caused by worn-out brake pads, contaminated brake fluid, or faulty brake components.
  • Engine issues: Engine issues, such as lean burn setups and poor performance, have been reported by some owners. These issues can be caused by faulty carburetors, worn-out engine components, or improper tuning.
  • Tire issues: Tire issues, such as dry rot and poor tire pressure, have been reported by some owners. These issues can lead to poor handling, decreased fuel efficiency, and even unsafe driving conditions.

In conclusion, while the 1978 Plymouth Fury is a reliable and comfortable vehicle, it is not without its common problems. Rust issues, fuel system problems, electrical issues, mechanical issues, interior issues, body and paint issues, suspension and steering issues, braking issues, engine issues, and tire issues are all common complaints from owners of this vehicle.

1978 Plymouth Fury engine

How much is a Plymouth Fury worth today?

A: The average price of a Plymouth Fury is $32,357.

How many Furies were used in Christine?

The truth of the matter is there were 24, 1958 Plymouth Furys used in the classic horror flick Christine. Seventeen of them were actually in the movie and seven were used as part cars.

Was the Plymouth Fury a muscle car?

1962 was the first year of the mid-sized Plymouth Fury after being a full-sized car from 1959 to 1961. 413-ci Max Wedge Plymouth and Dodge models were the first cars to be considered muscle cars—i.e. a mass-produced midsized car with a big-block V8 that is built specifically for high-performance use.

How many Plymouth Furys were destroyed in Christine?

It is believed that 25 1958 Plymouth two-door hardtops were required to create the magic of “Christine” getting wrecked and rebuilt on the big screen. 17 of those Plymouths were completely destroyed, six were used for parts and just two are said to remain.

Was the Plymouth Fury a muscle car?

1962 was the first year of the mid-sized Plymouth Fury after being a full-sized car from 1959 to 1961. 413-ci Max Wedge Plymouth and Dodge models were the first cars to be considered muscle cars—i.e. a mass-produced midsized car with a big-block V8 that is built specifically for high-performance use.

How many Plymouth Furys were destroyed in Christine?

It is believed that 25 1958 Plymouth two-door hardtops were required to create the magic of “Christine” getting wrecked and rebuilt on the big screen. 17 of those Plymouths were completely destroyed, six were used for parts and just two are said to remain.

How many Plymouth Fury's are left?

The Golden Fin Society ( a club that existed for 1956- 1958 Furies) estimated approximately 150 1958's still remained which is probably accurate.

What is the famous Plymouth Fury?

Christine

A 1958 Plymouth Fury was famous for the 1983 horror movie Christine.

1978 Plymouth Fury car problems categorized by type of issue

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

  • Structure problems

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

1978 Plymouth Fury complaints

The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1978 Plymouth Fury.

1995-03-17

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-02-17
  • Components: STRUCTURE
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING THE REAR TAILGATE POPPED OPEN, AND THE REAR GLASS BROKE. TT

1978 Plymouth Fury recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 1978 Plymouth Fury.

1977-11-28
  • Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION
  • Components: STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
  • Summary: THE COLUMNS MAY CONTAIN STEERING SHAFTS IN WHICH THE STEERING COLUMN COUPLING ROLL PIN RETAINING NOTCH WAS MACHINED TOO DEEP. THIS MAY CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL SHAFT TO BECOME DISENGAGED FROM THE REST OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY.
  • Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A COTTER PIN THROUGH THE ROLL PIN TO ENSURE RETENTION, AT NO COST TO OWNER.
1977-09-01
  • Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
  • Summary: INCORRECT REAR BRAKE LININGS WERE INSTALLED ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS". THE EXISTING BRAKE LININGS COULD ALLOW BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK, CAUSING PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING.
  • Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE LINING WITH THE PROPER LINING, WITHOUT CHARGE.
Leave your review of 1978 Plymouth Fury

Additional sources

More sources of information about 1978 Plymouth Fury problems:

Classic Mopar No Crank, No Start - How To Diagnose Issues - Dead ...
Classic Mopar No Crank, No Start - How To Diagnose Issues - Dead ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QPUM-fRRSI

Jan 7, 2022 ... Today on Dead Dodge Garage, it's the big no crank no start classic Mopar diagnosis video. I take a deep dive into the different components ...

67 Fury 440 Engine Problems | For C Bodies Only Classic Mopar ...
67 Fury 440 Engine Problems | For C Bodies Only Classic Mopar ...
https://www.forcbodiesonly.com/mopar-forum/threads/67-fury-440-engine-problems.47472/

Apr 13, 2019 ... 1978 NYB. Warfighter. Legendary Member. Joined: Apr 16, 2011. Messages: 72,165. Reaction score: 50,273. Location: Classified. Vapor lock ...

Classic Mopar Fuel Gauge Problems (And Gauge Voltage Limiter ...
Classic Mopar Fuel Gauge Problems (And Gauge Voltage Limiter ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPjEH8_Bdlc

Apr 5, 2022 ... ... Chrysler products, it seems like a working fuel gauge is a rare thing to find. On today's episode, I walk you through all of the common issues ...

Dodge reputation | 5thGenRams Forums
Dodge reputation | 5thGenRams Forums
https://5thgenrams.com/community/threads/dodge-reputation.30645/

I got hell in high school in the late 70's for driving a Plymouth Fury. Never a problem with that car - ever! I caught hell in the 80's for ...

NO SPARK, NO START, NO PROBLEM! IGNITION SYSTEMS ...
NO SPARK, NO START, NO PROBLEM! IGNITION SYSTEMS ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMdFTPyOJEw

May 13, 2016 ... ENGINE CRANKS BUT DON'T START? DON'T WORRY! ERIK THE WRENCH IS HERE, WE TEST FOR FUEL, TEST THE COIL AND DISTRIBUTOR / IGNITION.

Other years of Plymouth Fury

plymouth fury 1985 photo
Fury 1985
Plymouth

1

0

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
plymouth fury 1987 photo
Fury 1987
Plymouth

1

0

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
plymouth fury 1988 photo
Fury 1988
Plymouth

1

1

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
plymouth fury 1989 photo
Fury 1989
Plymouth

1

0

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
plymouth fury 1978 photo
Fury 1978
Plymouth

1

2

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

Are you having problems with your 1978 Plymouth Fury?

Add car complaint
1978 Plymouth Fury photo