Hearth Record

Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion) (Ford and Mercury)

Vehicle recall 77V-218. NHTSA received FORD MOTOR COMPANY’s report on Dec 14, 1977.

NHTSA’s own record, on nhtsa.gov

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The short answer

NHTSA received FORD MOTOR COMPANY’s report on Dec 14, 1977. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 25, 2026.

Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.

What’s wrong with it?

The notice gives no hazard in a field of its own.

ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, THE MANUAL STEERING GEARS MAY CONTAIN STEERING GEAR RECIRCULATORY BALLS THAT COULD FRACTURE.

THIS FRACTURING IS A RESULT OF IMPROPER HEAT-TREATMENT DURING MANUFACTURE AND CAN EVENTUALLY CAUSE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily.

  • NHTSA’s part: Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion).

What should you do?

THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BALL BEARINGS OF THE STEERING GEAR, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND LIGHT TRUCKS.SYSTEM: STEERING; STEERING GEAR RECIRCULATORY BALLS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: UNDER CONTINUED OPERATION, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL,LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND AN ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR.NOTE: INCREASED STEERING EFFORTS WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN AUDIBLE POPPING ORGRINDING NOISE AND MOMENTARY STEERING HANG-UP. IF ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS AREEXPERIENCED, THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE OPERATED.
  • Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.

Which ones are recalled?

NHTSA counts 40,000 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily.

  • Ford F350and 1977, before the model years listed here
  • Ford F150and 1977, before the model years listed here
  • Ford Maverickand 1977, before the model years listed here
  • Mercury Monarchand 1977, before the model years listed here
  • Ford F100and 1977, before the model years listed here
  • Mercury Cometand 1977, before the model years listed here
  • Ford F250and 1977, before the model years listed here
  • Ford Granadaand 1977, before the model years listed here

Who is recalling it?

  • Made by FORD MOTOR COMPANY.
Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily.

What the record doesn’t say

  • NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
  • Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
  • This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
  • How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Source:

Hearth Record wrote these lines.

Sources

Source:

Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 25, 2026.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

From the homeNone yet. Replies and paid listings aren’t open, and when they open they will sit here, below the record.

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Every fact names its source.

Who published it, when, and how often it changes sit beside each fact, with a link to the agency’s own file.

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