Mercury Zephyr 1978

Model Zephyr made in 1978 by Mercury got 2 consumer complains as well as 11 recalls. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to electrical system and seat belts. There were some recalls concerningelectrical system and engine and engine cooling.

Model 1978

Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
78V004000FORD MOTOR COMPANYfrom 08/01/1977 to 12/01/1977V (Vehicle)18500001/17/1978MFRFORD MOTOR COMPANY01/10/197810/12/1979
Defect SummaryBecause of its position, the wiring assembly may chafe against the cowl-to-brake pedal support brace which is located under the instrument panel.
Consequence Summary
Corrective SummaryThe dealer will install protective shields on the brake pedal support brace and perform repairs, if necessary.
NotesVehicle description: passenger vehicles.system: electrical; main wiring assembly.consequences of defect: loss of power to an accessory or total loss ofelectrical power to the vehicle could occur without warning. loss of vehiclemobility and, possibly, an accident could result.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - CRANKCASE (PCV)
78V203000FORD MOTOR COMPANYfrom 08/01/1977 to 04/01/1978V (Vehicle)21850011/17/1978ODIFORD MOTOR COMPANY09/21/197810/12/1979
Defect SummaryThe involved vehicles contain emission control systems that utilize a pulse air reed valve to permit air flow from the air cleaner to the exhaust manifold on negative pressure pulsations. these reed valves may fail under cold weather conditions, causing a backflow of exhaust gas into the air cleaner and fuel induction system on positive exhaust pulses. this causes an overly rich air/fuel mixture, reduced fuel economy and reduced engine performance. continued vehicle operation may result in engine stalling or overheating of the exhaust system.
Consequence Summary
Corrective SummaryThe dealer will replace the pulse air system reed valve and silencer without charge.
NotesVehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with 200 cid engines,automatic transmissions and thermactor pulse air supply systems.system: exhaust; emissions system.consequences of defect: overheating of the exhaust system may lead to scorchedrear seats and carpets and associated fumes. engine stalling would pose asafety hazard in traffic, which could lead to a vehicle accident.
EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - AIR CONDITIONER
77V221000FORD MOTOR COMPANY V (Vehicle)6MFRFORD MOTOR COMPANY12/15/197710/12/1979
Defect SummaryThe involved vehicles are equipped with air conditioning units which contain blower motor resistor wires which are improperly positioned. as a result, under certain conditions the polypropylene case material could become overheated and eventually ignite, especially if the blower motor switch is in the low or medium position.
Consequence Summary
Corrective SummaryDealer will modify the involved units as found necessary.
NotesVehicle description: passenger vehicles.system: air conditioning; blower motor.consequences of defect: if an engine fire starts and spreads to the passengercompartment, passengers could receive serious injuries.note: until the vehicle is serviced, the blower motor should not be set in thelow or medium positions.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY - FUEL PUMP
07E064000FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATION E (Equipment)3400010/15/2007MFRFORD MOTOR COMPANY08/27/200708/24/2007
Defect SummaryCertain federal-mogul aftermarket fuel pumps sold under the brand names of carter, accuflow, napa, truflow, parts depo, and parts master, shipped between august 2006 and july 2007 for use on the vehicles listed above. the fuel pump diaphragm in certain production runs may have been improperly installed or inadequately tested which may cause the fuel pump to leak.
Consequence SummaryA leaking fuel pump could create a vehicle fire hazard.
Corrective SummaryFederal-mogul will notify owners and replace the defective fuel pumps free of charge. the recall began on october 15, 2007. owners can contact federal-mogul at 248-354-7700.
NotesThis recall only pertains to aftermarket carter, napa, accuflow, tru flow, parts master, and parts depot brand fuel pumps and has no relation to any original equipment installed on the listed motor vehicles.customers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
78V150000FORD MOTOR COMPANYfrom 06/01/1978 to 06/01/1978V (Vehicle)18006/30/1979MFRFORD MOTOR COMPANY06/27/197810/12/1979
Defect SummaryAn improper transmission shift bracket was installed which, because of its design, could contact and abrade the fuel hose. fuel leakage and possible accumulation of fuel on a surface beneath a parked vehicle could result.
Consequence Summary
Corrective SummaryThe dealer will replace the transmission shift bracket and its related parts, including the fuel hose if found necessary, free of charge.
NotesVehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with 2.3 liter engines,automatic transmissions and steering column mounted shift controls.system: fuel; fuel lines, hoses.consequences of defect: if an ignition source is present when fuel leakageoccurs, a fire could start and result in personal injury and property damage.
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - LEVER AND LINKAGE - COLUMN SHIFT
78V144000FORD MOTOR COMPANYfrom 06/01/1978 to 06/01/1978V (Vehicle)35808/14/1978MFRFORD MOTOR COMPANY06/19/197810/12/1979
Defect SummaryTransmission shift control rods were installed that were intended for use with the steering columns of a prior design level. attachment of the shift control rod with the steering column shift lever grommet will allow relative movement between these parts. continued usage could result in grommet wear and deterioration of the shift control function, with the potential for starting in gear or an inability to engage the parking gear.
Consequence Summary
Corrective SummaryDriver will inspect and, if necessary, install new transmission shift linkage parts, without charge to owner.
NotesVehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissionsand steering column mounted shift controls.system: transmission; shift linkage.consequences of defect: if the vehicle is parked without engaging the parkingbrake, it could roll free, causing injury and damage to persons and property inits path.note: since the vehicle may inadvertently be started in gear, the parking brakeshould be firmly applied while starting the engine, prior to correction of theproblem.
77V170000FORD MOTOR COMPANY V (Vehicle)4100010/22/1977MFRFORD MOTOR COMPANY10/12/197710/12/1979
Defect SummaryOn some of the involved vehicles, the transmission parking pawl may not engage the parking gear when the transmission selector lever is placed in the park position. this condition is attributable to excessive free play in the transmission shift linkage adjustment.
Consequence Summary
Corrective SummaryDealer will inspect and properly adjust the shift linkage, at no charge.
NotesVehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissionsand steering column-mounted shift controls.system: power train; parking pawl.consequences of defect: if the condition were to occur on a vehicle on whichthe driver had not engaged the parking brake, the vehicle could roll free andcause property damage and personal injury.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
77V160000FORD MOTOR COMPANY V (Vehicle)72MFRFORD MOTOR COMPANY09/22/197710/12/1979571105
Defect SummaryThe involved vehicles may have been incorrectly equipped with manual brakes instead of power brakes. consequently, a non-compliance to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 105, hydraulic brake systems, may exist.
Consequence Summary
Corrective SummaryDealer will remove the manual brake components and install power brake components on all involved vehicles, without charge.
NotesVehicle description: passenger vehicles with 302 cid engines.system: service brakes; brake components.consequences of defect: depending on the optional equipment included on thesevehicles, manual brakes may not be adequate to ensure safe stopping in certaindriving situations and a vehicle accident could result.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - ROTOR
77V158000FORD MOTOR COMPANY V (Vehicle)44638MFRFORD MOTOR COMPANY09/22/197710/12/1979
Defect SummaryThe front disc brake rotors installed on the involved vehicles may have been improperly manufactured so that they contain cracks. these cracked rotors could fracture during vehicle braking and cause brake pull and affect vehicle directional control.
Consequence Summary
Corrective SummaryDealer will replace both front disc brake rotors on involved vehicles, without charge to owners.
NotesVehicle description: passenger vehicles.system: service brakes; front disc brake rotors.consequences of defect: loss of vehicle control and an accident may result.
SUSPENSION - REAR
77V159000FORD MOTOR COMPANY V (Vehicle)18MFRFORD MOTOR COMPANY09/22/197710/12/1979
Defect SummaryThe involved vehicles may be in non-compliance to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 105, hydraulic brake systems, due to installation of incorrect rear axle assemblies. consequently, early rear wheel lock-up under light loading conditions could result causing vehicle directional instability. rear braking effectiveness would also be reduced.
Consequence Summary
Corrective SummaryDealer will inspect and, if necessary, install the correct rear axle assembly without charge to owner.
NotesVehicle description: passenger vehicles.system: suspension; rear axle assemblies.consequences of defect: vehicle directional instability and decrease in rearbraking action may cause loss of vehicle control and an accident.
VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER - LINKAGES
78V167000FORD MOTOR COMPANY V (Vehicle)40000010/06/1978ODIFORD MOTOR COMPANY08/07/197810/12/1979
Defect SummaryThe windshield wiper drive linkage on the affected vehicles may fracture due to metal fatigue as a result of repeated flexing of the drive arm across a stress sensitive area. this condition will render the windshield wiper system inoperative.
Consequence Summary
Corrective SummaryThe dealer will install an improved windshield wiper linkage without cost to owner.
NotesVehicle description: passenger vehicles.system: visual; windshield.consequences of defect: an inoperative windshield wiper system would adverselyaffect driver visibility in poor weather conditions. this could contribute to avehicle accident.

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING
03/14/19991
 Wires in steering column shorted out resulting in fire.
SEAT BELTS
02/19/20031500001
 When the brakes were applied suddenly, the seat belts did not lock as designed.*jb