Vehicle recall 79V053000 · February 22, 1979
Mercury Capri and Ford Mustang
An incorrect steering gear flange may have been installed, which may slip and cause eventual loss of steering control.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- An incorrect steering gear flange may have been installed, which may slip and cause eventual loss of steering control.
- Remedy
- Inspection for and replacement of incorrect steering gear flanges will be done at no cost to owner.
- Notes
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with power steering.system: steering; gear flange.consequences of defect: loss of steering control may result in vehicleaccident.note: an unusual ratcheting noise or mispositioning of the steering wheel mayindicate slippage of the steering gear flange. Do not drive suspect vehiclesuntil inspection and repairs are completed.
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 79V053000
- Reported to NHTSA
- February 22, 1979
- Filed by
- FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Owner notification
- March 28, 1979
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 16,000
- Initiated by
- the manufacturer
- Components
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- Ford Mustang (1979): 1979
- Mercury Capri (1979): 1979
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.