Recall 80V121000
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch — Ford, Lincoln, Mercury · reported 23 Sep 1980 · 14,000 vehicles potentially affected
What's wrong
THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY START IN REVERSE GEAR. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING AFFECT". SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A DEFECTIVE NEUTRAL START SWITCH THAT OCCASIONALLY PERMITS ENGINE STARTING WITH THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IN THE REVERSE ("R") POSITION.
The fix
DEALER WILL INSPECT THE INVOLVED VEHICLES AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION NEUTRAL START SWITCH AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL; GEAR SHIFT.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: STARTING THE ENGINE WITH THE SHIFT SELECTOR IN THEREVERSE POSITION CAN RESULT IN UNEXPECTED REARWARD MOTION OF THE VEHICLE WHICHCOULD CAUSE INJURY TO PERSONS OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY BEHIND THE VEHICLE.
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.
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 →