1978 Ford Mustang — Problems, Recalls & Complaints

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.

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.

THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS ON CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY FAIL TO LOCK DUE TO BINDING OF THE LOCKING PAWL AGAINST THE RETRACTOR HOUSING. THIS BINDING IS CAUSED BY RETRACTOR HOUSING DEFORMATION WHICH OCCURRED DURING ASSEMBLY. AS A RESULT THE PASSENGERS WOULD BE RESTRAINED ONLY BY THE FULLY EXTENDED BELT. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION".

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE ONE OR BOTH REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE.

THE DUST TUBE PORTION OF THE ACCELERATOR CABLE ASSEMBLY ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY BIND DUE TO IMPROPER CRIMPING OF THE CABLE ASSEMBLY DURING MANUFACTURE. AS A RESULT, THE RETURN RATE OF THE THROTTLE MAY BE SLOWED OR THE THROTTLE MAY BE PREVENTED FROM CLOSING PROPERLY. IN THIS CONDITION, A VEHICLE SPEED OF 30 T0 40 MPH COULD BE MAINTAINED WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECCESSARY, WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE ASSEMBLY, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

THE FLEXIBLE BLADE ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADES MAY CRACK AND BREAK OFF. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY HIGH BLADE STRESSES THAT CAN RESULT FROM VIBRATION DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.

Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ENGINE COOLING FAN AT NO COST TO OWNER.

THE SEVEN-BLADE ENGINE COOLING FAN IS SUBJECT TO FATIGUE CRACKING DURING NORMAL OPERATION. PORTIONS OF THE BLADES MAY SEPARATE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEFECTIVE FANS WILL BE REPLACED WITH FANS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN WITHOUT CHARGE.