Vehicle recall 78V256000 · November 27, 1978
Ford Bronco, Ford Club Wagon and 7 more models
The involved vehicles were equipped with automatic transmissions in which the parking pawl was not heat-treated.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- The involved vehicles were equipped with automatic transmissions in which the parking pawl was not heat-treated. During normal vehicle operation, a parking pawl that has not been heat-treated could become deformed or worn to the point that the transmission will not lock in "park". As a result, the vehicle could roll free if the driver does not set the parking brake when parking or leaving vehicle unattended.
- Remedy
- Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the parking pawl with one that has been heat-treated.
- Notes
- Vehicle description: light trucks.system: power train; transmission, automatic.consequences of defect: this condition could result in vehicle damage, propertydamage, and personal injury.note: owner is advised to engage the parking brake when leaving the vehicleparked or unattended.
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 78V256000
- Reported to NHTSA
- November 27, 1978
- Filed by
- FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Owner notification
- November 17, 1978
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 7,000
- Initiated by
- the manufacturer
- Components
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- Ford Bronco (1979): 1979
- Ford Club Wagon (1979): 1979
- Ford Econoline (1979): 1979
- Ford F-100 (1979): 1979
- Ford F-150 (1979): 1979
- Ford F-250 (1979): 1979
- Ford F-350 (1979): 1979
- Lincoln Continental (1979): 1979
- Lincoln Mark V (1979): 1979
Has your Ford been repaired?
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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.