Vehicle recall 81V002000 · December 2, 1981
Ford Mustang and Mercury Cougar
Due to a manufacturing error, certain flexible-blade engine cooling fans may be subject to fatigue cracking and blade separation during vehicle operation.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- Due to a manufacturing error, certain flexible-blade engine cooling fans may be subject to fatigue cracking and blade separation during vehicle operation.
- Remedy
- Defective fan will be replaced with one of an improved design without charge.
- Notes
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with 302 or 305 cid enginesand factory air conditioning.system: engine and engine cooling; flexible-blade engine cooling fan.consequences of defect: broken blade fragments may be propelled outwards,damaging engine components or, possibly injuring persons in the vicinity.note: owner is advised not to leave the hood open or have the engine servicedwhile the motor is running, until the fan has been replaced.
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 81V002000
- Reported to NHTSA
- December 2, 1981
- Filed by
- FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Owner notification
- April 22, 1981
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 123,453
- 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 Mustang (1972-1973): 1973, 1972
- Mercury Cougar (1972): 1972
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