Vehicle recall 80V144000 · November 7, 1980
Mercury Cougar, Ford LTD II and 1 more model
Some of the flexible five-blade engine cooling fans may be subject to high blade stresses that can result from resonant vibration inputs occurring during normal vehicle operation.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- Some of the flexible five-blade engine cooling fans may be subject to high blade stresses that can result from resonant vibration inputs occurring during normal vehicle operation. This can lead to fatigue cracking of the blades. Portions of the blade may separate from the fan assembly without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Dealer will replace fan with an improved five-bladed version without charge to owner.
- Notes
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with 351 cid engines and airconditioning.system: engine cooling; fan.consequences of defect: blade fragments propelled from a rotating fan may causedamage to underhood components and personal injury to bystanders if the hood isopen.
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 80V144000
- Reported to NHTSA
- November 7, 1980
- Filed by
- FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Owner notification
- January 2, 1981
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 209,100
- Initiated by
- NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation
- Components
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- Ford LTD II (1977): 1977
- Ford Thunderbird (1977): 1977
- Mercury Cougar (1977): 1977
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