1979 Ford Club Wagon Recalls

1. Recall Description

   THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS IN WHICH THE PARKING PAWL WAS NOT HEAT-TREATED. DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION, A PARKING PAWL THAT HAS NOT BEEN HEAT-TREATED COULD BECOME DEFORMED OR WORN TO THE POINT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT LOCK IN "PARK". AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL FREE IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT SET THE PARKING BRAKE WHEN PARKING OR LEAVING VEHICLE UNATTENDED.

   Possible Effects

   Action

   DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARKING PAWL WITH ONE THAT HAS BEEN HEAT-TREATED.

   Notes

   VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT TRUCKS.SYSTEM: POWER TRAIN; TRANSMISSION, AUTOMATIC.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DAMAGE, PROPERTYDAMAGE, AND PERSONAL INJURY.NOTE: OWNER IS ADVISED TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE WHEN LEAVING THE VEHICLEPARKED OR UNATTENDED.

   Recall Manufacture Dates

   1978-11-01 - 1978-11-01

   Vehicles Affected

   7000

2. Recall Description

   THESE TRANSMISSIONS MAY CONTAIN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED PARKING PAWL ACTUATING RODS. CONSEQUENTLY, THE UNHARDENED CAM SURFACE OF THESE RODS CAN ALLOW THE ROD TO DEFORM DURING USE WITH RESULTANT INCREASE IN SHIFT EFFORTS AND DIFFICULTY IN RELEASING THE PARKING PAWL AND ENGAGING THE PARKING GEAR.

   Possible Effects

   Action

   DEALER WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL ACTUATING ROD WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

   Notes

   VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND LIGHT TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH C-6AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.SYSTEM: POWER TRAIN; TRANSMISSION.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF THE PARKING GEAR CANNOT BE ENGAGED AND PARKING BRAKEIS NOT SET, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL FREE, ESPECIALLY IF PARKED ON AN INCLINE,ENDANGERING NEARBY PERSONS AND PROPERTY.NOTE: THE PARKING BRAKE SHOULD BE USED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS TO BE LEFTUNATTENDED, UNTIL THE DEFECT IS CORRECTED.

   Recall Manufacture Dates

   1978-08-01 - 1978-08-01

   Vehicles Affected

   22000

3. Recall Description

   ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR THE OUTBOARD SEAT BELTS TO BECOME TRAPPED IN THE SEAT-BED PIVOTING MECHANISM. SHOULD THE BELT BECOME TRAPPED IN THE MECHANISM WHEN THE SEAT IS CONVERTED TO A BED, THE BELT MAY BECOME CUT OR FRAYED.

   Possible Effects

   Action

   THE DEALER WILL INSTALL SEAT BELT SHIELDS ON THE FOLDING SEAT/BED PIVOTING MECHANISM AND REPLACE THE OUTBOARD SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES IF DAMAGED, FREE OF CHARGE.

   Notes

   VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL SEAT-BEDS.SYSTEM: INTERIOR; SEAT BED SEAT BELT (SHOULDER).CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IN THE EVENT OF SUDDEN BRAKING OR VEHICLE COLLISION,THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE SEAT OCCUPANT AND THE RISK OFPERSONAL INJURY IS INCREASED.

   Recall Manufacture Dates

   1978-08-01 - 1978-09-01

   Vehicles Affected

   874

4. Recall Description

   THE STEERING GEARS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED SECTOR SHAFTS FROM WHICH THE THREADED PORTIONS OF THE SHAFTS MAY FRACTURE AND SEPARATE. SHOULD THE SECTOR SHAFT FRACTURE, THE PITMAN ARM MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE SPLINED PORTION OF THE SECTOR SHAFT.

   Possible Effects

   Action

   THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY OR INSTALL A NEW SECTOR SHAFT IN THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY.

   Notes

   VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: STEERING ASSEMBLY; GEARS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: DISENGAGEMENT WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION COULD RESULTIN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND AN ACCIDENT.

   Recall Manufacture Dates

   1978-11-01 - 1978-12-01

   Vehicles Affected

   20000

5. Recall Description

   CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY NOT CONTAIN THE SPECIFIED BODY MOUNTED HEAT SHIELDS. THIS COULD CAUSE HIGH FLOOR PAN TEMPERATURES WHEN THE ENGINE IS IDLED FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME. FOULED SPARK PLUGS OR OTHER ENGINE CONDITIONS COULD FURTHER INCREASE EXHAUST TEMPERATURES.

   Possible Effects

   Action

   THE DEALER WILL INSTALL THE NECESSARY FRAME MOUNTED HEAT SHIELD, IF MISSING.

   Notes

   VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 300 AND 460 CID ENGINES.SYSTEM: EXHAUST; BODY MOUNTED HEAT SHIELDS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THESE HIGH TEMPERATURES COULD CAUSE THE REAR FLOORCOVERINGS TO SMOULDER, RESULTING IN SMOKE DAMAGE AND PERSONAL INJURY.

   Recall Manufacture Dates

   1978-09-01 - 1979-01-01

   Vehicles Affected

   12000

6. Recall Description

   THE INCORRECTLY INSTALLED LEFT FRONT BRAKE HOSES MAY ALLOW FOR CONTACT BETWEEN THE FRONT BRAKE HOSES AND THE FRONT TIRES WHEN THE FRONT WHEELS ARE IN FULL RIGHT OR LEFT TURN POSITIONS. IF CONTACT IS MADE, THE HOSE COULD WEAR AND ALLOW BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT.

   Possible Effects

   Action

   THE DEALER WILL INSPECT FRONT BRAKE HOSES AND REPLACE THOSE LACKING THE PROPER CLEARANCE WITH CURRENT PRODUCTION HOSES, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

   Notes

   VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS.SYSTEM: SERVICE BRAKES; FRONT BRAKE HOSES.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: FRONT WHEEL BRAKING CAPABILITY COULD BE LOST, CAUSINGAN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCES AND, POSSIBLY, AN ACCIDENT.NOTE: OPERATOR MAY BE ALERTED TO LOSS OF FRONT BRAKES BY THE ACTIVATION OF AWARNING LIGHT. SHOULD THIS LIGHT APPEAR, PROCEED WITH CAUTION AND HAVE THEVEHICLE SERVICED IMMEDIATELY.

   Recall Manufacture Dates

   1978-08-01 - 1979-05-01

   Vehicles Affected

   75000

7. Recall Description

   THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY MAY CONTAIN SUBSTANDARD WELDS IN THE AREA WHERE THE DISC IS ATTACHED TO THE RIM. AS A RESULT, CRACKS CAN FORM IN THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY, CAUSING AIR LOSS AND AN UNDERINFLATED TIRE.

   Possible Effects

   Action

   DEALER WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE WHEELS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

   Notes

   VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 15 X 5.5K WHEEL ASSEMBLIES.SYSTEM: WHEELS; WHEEL ASSEMBLY.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: LOW TIRE INFLATION PRESSURES COULD CAUSE LOSS OFVEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, IF THE SPOT WELDS FAIL, THE RIM AND TIRECOULD SEPARATE FROM THE WHEEL DISC, WITH CONSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL ANDACCIDENT.

   Recall Manufacture Dates

   1978-09-01 - 1978-10-01

   Vehicles Affected

   22500