Ford Pinto Recalls — All NHTSA Recall Campaigns

Q: How many recalls does the Ford Pinto have?

The Ford Pinto has 23 recall campaigns on record with NHTSA, spanning model years 1971 through 1979. 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 1971 Ford Pinto has the most recall campaigns associated with it, with 5 campaigns. However, this reflects recall campaigns for that model year — not necessarily the number of defects in vehicles built that year.

23 recall campaigns on record across 9 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

9 affected model years1 crash-involved complaintsMost recalled year: 1971

Affected Model Years

19791R 19781R 19774R 19765R 19751R 19742R 19732R 19722R · 1C 19715R

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

Recall Breakdown by Component Category

Engine8 campaigns (35%)

Other7 campaigns (30%)

Seat/Restraints5 campaigns (22%)

Brakes2 campaigns (9%)

Steering1 campaign (4%)

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

#70V1340001971 Ford PintoOther

Issued: Oct 11, 1970

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

#70V1140001971 Ford PintoOther

Issued: Invalid Date

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

#71V1110001971 Ford PintoBrakes

Issued: Invalid Date

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID

#78V1430001971 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.

#08E0190001975 Ford PintoEngine

Issued: Jun 3, 2008

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

INTERCONTINENTAL AUTO PARTS IS RECALLING 1,937 FUEL FILTERS, P/NOS ALG 44/1 AND PUROLATOR F10024, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 14 AND FEBRUARY 13, 2008, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FILTER'S OUTLET CAP MAY NOT BE SECURELY CRIMPED TO THE HOUSING. THIS COULD RESULT IN A SEPARATION OF FI…

Risk: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, A NO START CONDITION MAY RESULT AND FUEL MAY BE PUMPED ONTO THE GROUND. IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE ENGINE MAY S…

Remedy: INTERCONTINENTAL WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING MARCH 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT INTERCONTINENTAL AT 800-451-2593.

#83V0250001977 Ford PintoEngine

Issued: Jan 3, 1983

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

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.

#79V0120001979 Ford PintoBrakes

Issued: Sep 1, 1979

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE THE HAIR PIN CLIP USED TO RETAIN THE PUSHROD TO THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHROD PIN INSTALLED. IF THIS CLIP IS MISSING, THE PUSHROD MAY BECOME DISENGAGED FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHROD PIN.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT VEHICLES FOR THE PRESENCE OF THIS HAIR PIN CLIP AND, IF NECESSARY, ANY MISSING PARTS WILL BE INSTALLED AT NO COST TO OWNER.

#78V0470001978 Ford PintoSeat/Restraints

Issued: Aug 3, 1978

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

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 FU…

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

#78V0690001976 Ford PintoOther

Issued: Apr 4, 1978

STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS

IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL IMPACT, FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR AT THE FUEL LINE TO FUEL PUMP CONNECTION IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY".

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A PAIR OF FRONT BUMPER BRACKET EXTENSION PLATES TO SUPPLY ADDED PROTECTION FOR THIS FUEL LINE CONNECTION.

#77V0640001977 Ford PintoOther

Issued: Feb 5, 1977

TIRES

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS". THESE LIGHT TRUCKS WERE INCORRECTLY CLASSIFIED AS PASSENGER VEHICLES AND WERE EQUIPPED WITH LOAD RANGE "A" INSTEAD OF LOAD RANGE "B" TIRES. T…

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE LOAD RANGE "A" WITH THE PROPER LOAD RANGE "B" TIRES, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

#76V1340001976 Ford PintoSeat/Restraints

Issued: Jul 9, 1976

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

#73V0580001973 Ford PintoEngine

Issued: Dec 3, 1973

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

#73V0250001972 Ford PintoOther

Issued: May 1, 1973

TRAILER HITCHES

#71V0450001971 Ford PintoEngine

Issued: Jun 4, 1971

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM

#71V2160001972 Ford PintoSeat/Restraints

Issued: Invalid Date

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

#73V1180001973 Ford PintoSeat/Restraints

Issued: Invalid Date

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

#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.

#76V0670001976 Ford PintoOther

Issued: Invalid Date

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

#76V1700001976 Ford PintoEngine

Issued: Invalid Date

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

#76V1120001976 Ford PintoSeat/Restraints

Issued: Invalid Date

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

#77V1140001977 Ford PintoOther

Issued: Invalid Date

STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH INCORRECT ATTACHING U-NUTS USED TO SECURE THE REAR BUMPER LEFT ISOLATOR AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY. IN THE EVENT OF A REAR-END COLLISION, THE U-NUTS COULD CONTACT AND CUT THE FUEL TANK, CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE.

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE ATTACHING HARDWARE, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

#76V1400001977 Ford PintoEngine

Issued: Invalid Date

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM

Recalls by Component

8Engine Recalls

#78V143000MY 1971

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 …

#08E019000MY 1975

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

INTERCONTINENTAL AUTO PARTS IS RECALLING 1,937 FUEL FILTERS, P/NOS ALG 44/1 AND PUROLATOR F10024, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 14 AND FEBRUARY 13, 2008, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LIS…

#83V025000MY 1977

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

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.

#73V058000MY 1973

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

#71V045000MY 1971

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM

#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 …

#76V170000MY 1976

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

#76V140000MY 1977

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM

2Brakes Recalls

#71V111000MY 1971

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID

#79V012000MY 1979

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE THE HAIR PIN CLIP USED TO RETAIN THE PUSHROD TO THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHROD PIN INSTALLED. IF THIS CLIP IS MISSING, THE PUSHROD MAY BECOME DIS…

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 23 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database, spanning model years 1971 through 1979.

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 1971 Ford Pinto has the highest recall campaign count (5 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