1978 FORD FAIRMONT Recalls — Canada & USA

The 1978 Ford Fairmont has 5 recalls, the most serious being transmission shift control defects that can allow the engine to start while in gear or cause fuel to leak near the engine, creating a fire risk. Three of the recalls center on the automatic transmission and column-mounted shift controls. The shift lever grommet can wear down and allow the car to start in gear or prevent the shifter from fully engaging Park. On 2.3-litre models, the shift control can contact a fuel hose and cause a leak that may ignite. A third related issue involves excessive play in the shift linkage that prevents the parking pawl from properly locking the transmission in Park, meaning the vehicle can roll if parked without the parking brake engaged. On the mechanical side, vehicles built on April 26, 1978 have a wiper drive linkage that can fracture from metal fatigue, leaving the wipers completely inoperative without warning. There is also an engine concern where the pulse air reed valve can fail in cold weather, pushing exhaust gas back into the fuel system and causing rough running, misfires, or stalling.