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.
At a glance
What can fail
In cold weather, the pulse air reed valve may fail, allowing exhaust gas to flow backward into the air cleaner and fuel system. This creates a too-rich fuel mixture, potentially causing spark plug misfire or engine stalling.
What the fix does
No remedy description available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The windshield wiper drive linkage may fracture due to metal fatigue, causing the wiper system to stop working suddenly without warning.
What the fix does
No remedy description available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The shift control rod can move inside the shift lever grommet, causing the grommet to wear. This can allow the engine to start while the car is in gear or prevent the transmission from engaging Park.
What the fix does
No remedy description available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
On vehicles with a 2.3-liter engine, automatic transmission, and column shift control, the shift mechanism can rub against the intermediate fuel hose, potentially causing fuel to leak and creating a fire risk.
What the fix does
No remedy description available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission's parking pawl may fail to lock when you shift to Park due to loose shift linkage. This could allow the vehicle to roll if parked without the parking brake engaged.
What the fix does
No remedy description available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
