Vehicle recall 81V008000 · January 12, 1981
Ford Ford, Ford Ford Truck and 2 more models
This is a manufacturer"s notice to advise owners of proper vehicle operation.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- This is a manufacturer"s notice to advise owners of proper vehicle operation. The parking gear may not be securely engaged after the operator has attempted to shift to park. The vehicle may appear to be in park though actually in reverse. This could allow the vehicle to move unexpectedly.
- Remedy
- Owners will be provided with a self-sticking label containing important safety precautions as a daily reminder of the serious hazards of unexpected vehicle motion. It should be placed inside the vehicle in an easily seen location.
- Notes
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and light trucks equipped with fmx,C-3, C-4, C-6, or jatco automatic transmissions.system: power train; automatic transmission.consequences of defect: unexpected vehicle movement may result in accident,injury or death, especially to persons in the path of the vehicle.note: drivers should observe these steps: 1) make certain gear lever is engagedin park, 2) set parking brake fully, and 3) shut off ignition.
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 81V008000
- Reported to NHTSA
- January 12, 1981
- Filed by
- FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 21,000,000
- Initiated by
- NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation
- Components
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- Ford Ford (1970-1980): 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1970
- Ford Truck (1970-1980): 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1970
- Lincoln Lincoln (1970-1980): 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1970
- Mercury Mercury (1970-1980): 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971, 1970
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.