Vehicle recall 78V143000 · June 19, 1978
Ford Pinto and Mercury Bobcat
In the event the vehicle is struck from the rear, the fuel filler pipe could disconnect from the tank or the tank could be punctured in the forward face.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- In the event the vehicle is struck from the rear, the fuel filler pipe could disconnect from the tank or the tank could be punctured in the forward face. This would result in fuel leakage.
- Remedy
- The dealer will install a longer fuel filler pipe having an improved seal. Also, a polyethylene shield will be installed on the front of the fuel tank.
- Notes
- Vehicle descripton: passenger vehicles.system: fuel; fuel tank.consequences of defect: fuel leakage, in the presence of a source of ignition,could result in a vehicle fire and serious injury to passengers.
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 78V143000
- Reported to NHTSA
- June 19, 1978
- Filed by
- FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Owner notification
- August 22, 1978
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 1,400,000
- Initiated by
- NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation
- Components
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- Ford Pinto (1971-1976): 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971
- Mercury Bobcat (1975-1976): 1976, 1975
Has your Ford been repaired?
Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.
NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. Recall repairs are free.