Steering: hydraulic power assist system (Air O Matic)
Vehicle equipment recall 78E-023. NHTSA received AIR-O-MATIC PWR STRNG CO’s report on Aug 15, 1978.
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The short answer
NHTSA received AIR-O-MATIC PWR STRNG CO’s report on Aug 15, 1978. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 20, 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.
THE POWER CYLINDER MOUNTING BRACKETS MAY BE SUBJECT TO FATIGUE FRACTURE.
SHOULD THESE BRACKETS FAIL, POWER STEERING ASSIST FUNCTION WOULD BE LOST.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Steering: hydraulic power assist system.
What should you do?
MANUFACTURER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE POWER CYLINDER MOUNTING BRACKETS WITH A STRENGTHENED TYPE.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: VEHICLE CATEGORY: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: STEERING; POWER CYLINDER, MOUNTING BRACKETS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: ALTHOUGH MANUAL STEERING FUNCTION WOULD REMAIN, SUDDENLOSS OF POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING COULD CONTRIBUTE TO A LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 489 items potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- Air O Matic Air O MaticNHTSA gives no dates made
Who is recalling it?
- Made by AIR-O-MATIC PWR STRNG CO.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Which ones, by part or lot: the recall’s report on NHTSA’s site gives them where the maker did; this file gives part numbers only where its maker listed them.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 20, 2026 and checked Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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 20, 2026.