Summary
The Ford Fairmont has 7 recalls covering the 1978-1981 model years, with the most serious being a 1981 model year defect where missing retaining pins can allow the brake pushrod to separate from the brake pedal, resulting in complete loss of braking. The 1978 model year carries the heaviest recall load across several systems. On the fuel side, vehicles equipped with the 2.3-litre engine, automatic transmission, and column shifter have a shift control that can contact the intermediate fuel hose, causing a fuel leak and fire risk. Also on 1978 automatic-transmission models with column shifters, wear in the shift lever grommet can allow the vehicle to be started in gear or make it impossible to engage Park. A related but distinct issue on 1978 automatics involves excessive free play in the shift linkage that prevents the parking pawl from fully engaging, which can let the vehicle roll if parked without the emergency brake set. Rounding out the 1978 issues, vehicles built on April 26, 1978 have a wiper drive linkage that can fracture from metal fatigue and leave the wipers inoperative without warning, and a pulse air reed valve that can fail in cold weather, causing exhaust gas to flow back into the intake system, which richens the fuel mixture and can lead to spark plug misfire or stalling. The 1979 model year has one recall affecting manual-transmission vehicles, where the safety compliance labels show incorrect gross vehicle and axle weight ratings.
