Vehicle recall 77V159000 · September 22, 1977
Ford Fairmont and Mercury Zephyr
The involved vehicles may be in non-compliance to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 105, "hydraulic brake systems", due to installation of incorrect rear axle assemblies.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- The involved vehicles may be in non-compliance to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 105, "hydraulic brake systems", due to installation of incorrect rear axle assemblies. Consequently, early rear wheel lock-up under light loading conditions could result causing vehicle directional instability. Rear braking effectiveness would also be reduced.
- Remedy
- Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, install the correct rear axle assembly without charge to owner.
- Notes
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles.system: suspension; rear axle assemblies.consequences of defect: vehicle directional instability and decrease in rearbraking action may cause loss of vehicle control and an accident.
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 77V159000
- Reported to NHTSA
- September 22, 1977
- Filed by
- FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 18
- Initiated by
- the manufacturer
- Components
- Suspension › Rear
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- Ford Fairmont (1978): 1978
- Mercury Zephyr (1978): 1978
Has your Ford been repaired?
Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.
NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. Recall repairs are free.