The defect
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.
The remedy
DRIVER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL NEW TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE PARTS, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|
Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
Other power train recalls in 1978
14 of the 272 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1978 concerned the power train; FORD MOTOR COMPANY filed 963 campaigns in all.
| 78V256000 27 Nov 1978 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 78V252000 20 Nov 1978 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 78V236000 23 Oct 1978 | FIAT MOTORS OF N.A., INC. |
| 78V201000 15 Sept 1978 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 78V174000 9 Aug 1978 | JAGUAR CARS |
| 78V138000 13 Jun 1978 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 78V096000 28 Apr 1978 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 78V062000 24 Mar 1978 | VOLVO OF AMERICA CORP. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1978