NHTSA Campaign 78V144000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

Issued by FORD MOTOR COMPANY · Reported Jun 19, 1978 · 358 vehicles affected

What's wrong

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.

Remedy

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

Vehicles affected by this recall

Make Model Year Units
FORD FAIRMONT 1978 358
MERCURY ZEPHYR 1978 358

Source: NHTSA Campaign 78V144000 on nhtsa.gov. To check the current repair status for a specific vehicle, use our free VIN decoder.