Electrical System:ignition:switch

NHTSA recall 80V121000 · announced September 23, 1980 · filed by Ford Motor Company · 14,000 units affected

The problem

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY START IN REVERSE GEAR. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING AFFECT". SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A DEFECTIVE NEUTRAL START SWITCH THAT OCCASIONALLY PERMITS ENGINE STARTING WITH THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IN THE REVERSE ("R") POSITION.

What to do

DEALER WILL INSPECT THE INVOLVED VEHICLES AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION NEUTRAL START SWITCH AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

Notes

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL; GEAR SHIFT.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: STARTING THE ENGINE WITH THE SHIFT SELECTOR IN THEREVERSE POSITION CAN RESULT IN UNEXPECTED REARWARD MOTION OF THE VEHICLE WHICHCOULD CAUSE INJURY TO PERSONS OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY BEHIND THE VEHICLE.

Vehicles covered by this recall

• 1981 Ford Ltd
• 1981 Lincoln Lincoln
• 1981 Lincoln Mark Vi
• 1981 Mercury Marquis

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