Ford recalled its Pinto cars in 1978 because rear-end crashes could rupture the fuel tank and cause fires.
The Ford Pinto was a subcompact car introduced for the 1971 model year. Its fuel-tank location and rear structure made it vulnerable in certain rear-impact collisions, particularly when the car was struck from behind at moderate speed. The resulting fuel leaks could ignite.
Ford announced a recall covering about 1.5 million Pinto and Mercury Bobcat cars. The campaign involved installing safety improvements such as a protective shield, revised filler-neck components, and additional structural reinforcement.
The Pinto recall is often discussed alongside the so-called “Pinto memo,” a cost-benefit document concerning fuel-system improvements. The memo was not a direct calculation of the value of individual lives, but the controversy helped make the vehicle a lasting example in debates about corporate safety decisions.