Vehicle recall 85V172000 · December 26, 1985

Mercury Sable and Ford Taurus

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

Consequence: If the car is left unattended with the key removed and the ignition switch not in lock position, the car can be easily stolen. Studies have shown that stolen cars are frequently involved in accidents.
Remedy: Ignition lock switch cylinder will be replaced.
Notes: System: lock, ignition system, FMVSS 114. Vehicle description:passenger car.description defect:the ignition key can be removed from the ignition switch in positions other than the lock positions.fmvss 114 requires that when the key is removed from the ignition switch that either the steering or transmission be locked.removal of the key when not in the lock position leaves the steering and transmission in the normal operating mode.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign: 85V172000
Reported to NHTSA: December 26, 1985
Filed by: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles potentially affected: 4,500
Initiated by: the manufacturer
Components: Steering › Column locking › Anti-theft device

Recall 85V172000 on nhtsa.gov, with the manufacturer’s documents

Vehicles covered

As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.

Ford Taurus (1986): 1986
Mercury Sable (1986): 1986

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