1972 Ford Pinto recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Trailer Hitches
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail.
What could happen:
The fix:
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1972 PINTO.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 73V025000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: TRAILER HITCHES
Summary:
Consequence:
Remedy:
Notes: FORD CAMPAIGN NO H-7A. POSSIBILITY THAT THE TRAILER HITCH MAY CAUSE FLEXING OFTHE REAR BUMPER HANGERS AND THE SHEET METAL AT THE HITCH ATTACHING POINTSRESULTING IN CRACKING OF THE METAL AND HANGERS. CONTINUED USAGE COULDEVENTUALLY CAUSE SEPARATION OF THE BUMPERAND HITCH ASSEMBLY FROM THE VEHICLE.CORRECT BY INSPECTING ANDREPLACE WITH NEW DESIGN HITCH.
2. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash.
What could happen:
The fix:
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1972 PINTO.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 71V216000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
Summary:
Consequence:
Remedy:
Notes: FORD CAMPAIGN NO H-1B. LIGHT TRUCKS BUILT BETWEEN AUG. 16, 1 971, AND OCT.14, 1971,F-100 THUR F-350 SERIES. POSSIBILITY THAT SEAT BELT AND SHOULDERHARNESS ATTACHING BOLTS WERE IMPRO PERLY PROCESSED DURING HEAT TREATING ANDPLATING OPERATIONS. IF CONDITION EXISTS, MAY CAUSE BOLTS TO BE SUSCEPTIBLE TOHYDR OGEN EMBRITTLEMENT FRACTURING AFTER INSTALLATION. (CORRECT BY INSPECTINGAND REPLACING WITH PROPERLY HEAT TREATED BOLTS. )
3. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. 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.
What could happen:
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1972 PINTO.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 78V143000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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.
Consequence:
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.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Seat belts (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (1)
10/10/1996 · Seat belts · crash
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE SEAT BELTS SHATTERED. *AK