NHTSA safety recall

Recall 77V218000

Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion) — Ford, Mercury · reported 14 Dec 1977 · 40,000 vehicles potentially affected

What's wrong

ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, THE MANUAL STEERING GEARS MAY CONTAIN STEERING GEAR RECIRCULATORY BALLS THAT COULD FRACTURE. THIS FRACTURING IS A RESULT OF IMPROPER HEAT-TREATMENT DURING MANUFACTURE AND CAN EVENTUALLY CAUSE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT.

The fix

THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BALL BEARINGS OF THE STEERING GEAR, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND LIGHT TRUCKS.SYSTEM: STEERING; STEERING GEAR RECIRCULATORY BALLS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: UNDER CONTINUED OPERATION, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL,LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND AN ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR.NOTE: INCREASED STEERING EFFORTS WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN AUDIBLE POPPING ORGRINDING NOISE AND MOMENTARY STEERING HANG-UP. IF ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS AREEXPERIENCED, THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE OPERATED.

NHTSA campaign
77V218000
Filed by
Ford Motor Company
Report received
14 Dec 1977
Owners notified
18 Jan 1978
Potentially affected
40,000

Vehicles covered by this recall

Whether a particular car is affected and still unrepaired depends on its VIN — a model year being listed does not mean every car of that year is included. Check any VIN free on CarLogs, or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

1977 Ford F100 1977 Ford F150 1977 Ford F250 1977 Ford F350 1977 Ford Granada 1977 Ford Maverick 1977 Mercury Comet 1977 Mercury Monarch

Is this car's recall fixed?

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer, for the life of the vehicle. A CarLogs report shows the recall status for a specific VIN as reported by the manufacturer — whether it's open or repaired, and whether the fix is available yet.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall database. Look up another campaign →