The 1979 Mercury Meteor has 3 recalls, the most serious involving the steering shaft where loose or missing rivet pin components can cause partial or complete loss of steering control.
The electrical system accounts for the remaining two recalls. The windshield wiper and washer circuit uses an undersized circuit breaker that can trip under heavy load, leaving the wipers inoperative in conditions where visibility already matters. There is also a tail lamp socket issue: the bulb sockets on sedan models may be too short to make reliable contact, while station wagon models may have sockets that are too long, either way potentially leaving rear lights dim or non-functional and making the vehicle harder for other drivers to see.
At a glance
What can fail
Tail lamp light bulb sockets in 1979 Ford and Mercury sedans may be too short. Tail and backup lamp sockets in 1979 Mercury station wagons may be too long. These incorrect sockets could cause the lamps to fail federal lighting safety standards.
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 lower steering shaft coupling rivet pins may not be properly secured and could loosen, causing loss of steering control. Some assemblies also lack metal reinforcement, which can tear the rubber coupling, creating noise or a loose steering feel.
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 windshield wiper and washer system has a 6.0 amp circuit breaker instead of the correct 8.25 amp breaker, which can trip under heavy use and stop the wipers and washers from working.
What the fix does
The circuit breaker will be replaced with the correct 8.25 amp breaker.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
