Steering: steering wheel/handle barRecall 78V-212 · Ford and Mercury vehicles
FORD MOTOR COMPANY recall 78V-212 covers 32,000 Ford and Mercury vehicles for a steering: steering wheel/handle bar problem, reported to NHTSA on October 4, 1978.
Source: NHTSA recall 78V212000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by the manufacturer.
The problem
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.
The fix
THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: STEERING; STEERING COLUMN COUPLING.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
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, 1978 to September 1, 1978. Not every vehicle in these model years is included; check by VIN.