Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift

NHTSA recall 78V144000 · announced June 19, 1978 · filed by Ford Motor Company · 358 units affected

The problem

TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL RODS WERE INSTALLED THAT WERE INTENDED FOR USE WITH THE STEERING COLUMNS OF A PRIOR DESIGN LEVEL. ATTACHMENT OF THE SHIFT CONTROL ROD WITH THE STEERING COLUMN SHIFT LEVER GROMMET WILL ALLOW RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THESE PARTS. CONTINUED USAGE COULD RESULT IN GROMMET WEAR AND DETERIORATION OF THE SHIFT CONTROL FUNCTION, WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR STARTING IN GEAR OR AN INABILITY TO ENGAGE THE PARKING GEAR.

What to do

DRIVER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL NEW TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE PARTS, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

Notes

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONSAND STEERING COLUMN MOUNTED SHIFT CONTROLS.SYSTEM: TRANSMISSION; SHIFT LINKAGE.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF THE VEHICLE IS PARKED WITHOUT ENGAGING THE PARKINGBRAKE, IT COULD ROLL FREE, CAUSING INJURY AND DAMAGE TO PERSONS AND PROPERTY INITS PATH.NOTE: SINCE THE VEHICLE MAY INADVERTENTLY BE STARTED IN GEAR, THE PARKING BRAKESHOULD BE FIRMLY APPLIED WHILE STARTING THE ENGINE, PRIOR TO CORRECTION OF THEPROBLEM.

Vehicles covered by this recall

• 1978 Ford Fairmont
• 1978 Mercury Zephyr

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public recall data. This page reports official records and is not legal, medical, or repair advice.