Storage: tank assemblyRecall 78V-143 · Ford and Mercury vehicles
FORD MOTOR COMPANY recall 78V-143 covers 1,400,000 Ford and Mercury vehicles for a storage: tank assembly problem, reported to NHTSA on June 19, 1978.
Source: NHTSA recall 78V143000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by an NHTSA defect investigation.
The problem
IN THE EVENT THE VEHICLE IS STRUCK FROM THE REAR, THE FUEL FILLER PIPE COULD DISCONNECT FROM THE TANK OR THE TANK COULD BE PUNCTURED IN THE FORWARD FACE. THIS WOULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE.
The fix
THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A LONGER FUEL FILLER PIPE HAVING AN IMPROVED SEAL. ALSO, A POLYETHYLENE SHIELD WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE FRONT OF THE FUEL TANK.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTON: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: FUEL; FUEL TANK.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF A SOURCE OF IGNITION,COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND SERIOUS INJURY TO PASSENGERS.
Recall repairs are free. Confirm whether this recall is open on your vehicle by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Vehicles in this recall
Built from August 1, 1971 to July 1, 1976. Not every vehicle in these model years is included; check by VIN.