Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan (Buick, Oldsmobile and PONTIAC and 1 more)
Vehicle recall 78V-139. NHTSA received GENERAL MOTORS CORP.’s report on Jun 13, 1978.
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The short answer
NHTSA received GENERAL MOTORS CORP.’s report on Jun 13, 1978. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 28, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
The notice gives no hazard in a field of its own.
THE HUB PORTION OF THE FAN BLADE ASSEMBLY COULD CRACK DUE TO HIGH STRESS LEVELS GENERATED DURING ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS.
EVENTUALLY, THE BLADE COULD BREAK APART AT THE HUB AND BLADE PIECES COULD BE PROPELLED INTO THE ENGINE.
IF THE HOOD IS OPEN WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, THE FRAGMENTS WOULD BE FREE TO FLY FROM THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan.
What should you do?
DEALER WILL REPLACE THE FAN BLADE ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: ENGINE COOLING; FAN BLADE ASSEMBLY.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: FAN FAILURE COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE TO COMPONENTS IN THEENGINE AREA, OR PERSONAL INJURY TO BYSTANDERS IF THE HOOD IS OPEN AT THE TIME.NOTE: THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE SERVICED WITH THE HOOD OPEN AND THE ENGINERUNNING UNTIL THE DEFECT IS CORRECTED.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 333,619 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- Buick Skylarkand 1978, before the model years listed here
- Oldsmobile 88and 1978, before the model years listed here
- Buick Rivieraand 1978, before the model years listed here
- Pontiac Firebirdand 1978, before the model years listed here
- Chevrolet Monte Carloand 1978, before the model years listed here
- Chevrolet EL Caminoand 1978, before the model years listed here
- Buick Lesabreand 1978, before the model years listed here
- Buick Electraand 1978, before the model years listed here
- Pontiac Lemansand 1978, before the model years listed here
- Pontiac Grand AMand 1978, before the model years listed here
- Pontiac Bonnevilleand 1978, before the model years listed here
- Oldsmobile Cutlassand 1978, before the model years listed here
- Pontiac Phoenixand 1978, before the model years listed here
- Oldsmobile Omegaand 1978, before the model years listed here
- Chevrolet Malibuand 1978, before the model years listed here
- Buick Regaland 1978, before the model years listed here
- Buick Estate Wagonand 1978, before the model years listed here
- Pontiac Grand Prixand 1978, before the model years listed here
- Pontiac Catalinaand 1978, before the model years listed here
- Buick Centuryand 1978, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by GENERAL MOTORS CORP..
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
-
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 28, 2026 and checked Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 28, 2026.