IllustrationCONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE SEAT BELTS SHATTERED. *AK
1972 Ford Pinto
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Pinto years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 1 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Seat Belts. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
Seat Belts complaints
1 reportsOfficial recalls
378V143000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
Jun 19, 1978
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
Consequence: Not supplied
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.
73V025000 · Trailer Hitches
Jan 5, 1973
No summary supplied.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: Not supplied
71V216000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage
Nov 22, 1971
No summary supplied.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: Not supplied
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP78025 · Fuel Tank Fires
Opened Feb 7, 1978 · Closed Jan 23, 1978
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL TANK FIRES