Ford Pinto Recalls — All NHTSA Recall Campaigns

Q: How many recalls does the Ford Pinto have?

The Ford Pinto has 5 recall campaigns on record with NHTSA, spanning model years 1972 through 1974. Individual vehicles may be subject to fewer recalls depending on their specific model year and production date.

Q: Is my Pinto under recall?

Whether your specific Pinto is subject to a recall depends on your vehicle's exact VIN, not just the model year. A recall may apply to a specific production date range or certain build configurations. Enter your 17-digit VIN at VinCheckEngine or NHTSA.gov/recalls to see which, if any, open recalls apply to your exact vehicle.

Q: What is the most recalled Pinto year?

Based on NHTSA recall data, the 1972 Ford Pinto has the most recall campaigns associated with it, with 3 campaigns. However, this reflects recall campaigns for that model year — not necessarily the number of defects in vehicles built that year.

5 recall campaigns on record across 2 model years of the Ford Pinto. Data sourced directly from NHTSA and updated daily.

Check Your Specific VIN — Free All Ford Recalls

Recall Campaigns

Owner Complaints

Reported Injuries

Reported Deaths

2 affected model years1 crash-involved complaintsMost recalled year: 1972

Affected Model Years

19742R 19723R · 1C

R = recalls · C = complaints. Click a year to see the full problems report.

Recall Breakdown by Component Category

Engine2 campaigns (40%)

Other1 campaign (20%)

Seat/Restraints1 campaign (20%)

Steering1 campaign (20%)

Most Common Owner Complaint Areas — Ford Pinto

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Based on 2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across all model years.

All Ford Pinto Recall Campaigns

#73V0250001972 Ford PintoOther

Issued: May 1, 1973

TRAILER HITCHES

#71V2160001972 Ford PintoSeat/Restraints

Issued: Invalid Date

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

#78V1430001972 Ford PintoEngine

Issued: Invalid Date

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

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.

#07E0640001974 Ford PintoEngine

Issued: Invalid Date

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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 INSTA…

Risk: 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.

#78V0220001974 Ford PintoSteering

Issued: Invalid Date

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

ON SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES THE STEERING COUPLING FLANGE MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED AND COULD LOOSEN DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION.

Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE STEERING COUPLING FLANGE ASSEMBLY.

Recalls by Component

2Engine Recalls

#78V143000MY 1972

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

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 …

#07E064000MY 1974

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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 …

1Steering Recalls

#78V022000MY 1974

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

ON SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES THE STEERING COUPLING FLANGE MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED AND COULD LOOSEN DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION.

Ford Pinto Recall — Frequently Asked Questions

How many recalls does the Ford Pinto have?

The Ford Pinto has 5 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database, spanning model years 1972 through 1974.

Is my Pinto under recall?

Recall applicability depends on your specific VIN — not just the model year. Some recalls cover only certain production date ranges or trim levels. Enter your 17-digit VIN at VinCheckEngine or NHTSA.gov for an exact answer.

What is the most recalled Pinto year?

Based on NHTSA data, the 1972 Ford Pinto has the highest recall campaign count (3 campaigns). However, the total count of campaigns is not the same as the number of defects — some campaigns are issued as expansions of earlier recalls.

Does a Pinto recall mean my car is unsafe to drive?

Not necessarily. Recalls range from critical safety hazards — where NHTSA advises against driving — to minor inconveniences like a label error. Check the consequence field of each recall to understand the severity. If your specific VIN is subject to an open recall, contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible.

Who pays for recall repairs on a Pinto?

The manufacturer is legally required to pay for all recall repairs under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer, regardless of whether you are the original owner or whether the vehicle is out of warranty.

Check Your Specific Ford Pinto for Open Recalls

Model-level recall data tells you what campaigns exist. A VIN-specific check tells you exactly which ones apply to your vehicle — based on production date, serial number, and configuration.

Free VIN Check — Check My Pinto

Ford Pinto Problems & Complaints All Ford Recalls All Makes — Recall Center