NHTSA Campaign 78V212000

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

Issued by FORD MOTOR COMPANY · Reported Oct 4, 1978 · 32,000 vehicles affected

What's wrong

THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLIES CONTAIN COUPLING RIVET PINS WHICH WERE NOT RIVETED SECURELY ENOUGH DURING MANUFACTURE. CONSEQUENTLY ONE OR BOTH OF THE PINS COULD LOOSEN FROM THE FLANGE OF THE FLEXIBLE COUPLING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IF ONE PIN IS LOOSE, FREE PLAY WOULD RESULT. IF BOTH PINS WORK LOOSE, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WOULD OCCUR. ALSO, THE SHAFT ASSEMBLY MAY NOT CONTAIN A METAL REINFORCEMENT BETWEEN ONE OR BOTH OF THE RIVET PINS AND THE RUBBER FLEXIBLE COUPLING. AS A RESULT, THE RUBBER FLEXIBLE COUPLING COULD TEAR AND PRODUCE A NOISE OR LOOSE FEELING IN THE STEERING SYSTEM.

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

Vehicles affected by this recall

Make Model Year Units
FORD LTD 1979 32,000
MERCURY MARQUIS 1979 32,000

Source: NHTSA Campaign 78V212000 on nhtsa.gov. To check the current repair status for a specific vehicle, use our free VIN decoder.