Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders (Ford and Mercury)
Vehicle recall 79V-262. NHTSA received FORD MOTOR COMPANY’s report on Dec 18, 1979.
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The short answer
NHTSA received FORD MOTOR COMPANY’s report on Dec 18, 1979. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 27, 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 INVOLVED VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 105, “HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS”.
REAR AXLE ASSEMBLIES INTENDED FOR OTHER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN THE INVOLVED VEHICLES.
THE WHEEL CYLINDERS MAY NOT BE THE CORRECT SIZE.
THIS COULD AFFECT BRAKING PERFORMANCE.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 27, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders.
What should you do?
DEALER WILL REPLACE ANY INCORRECT WHEEL CYLINDERS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 27, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: SERVICE BRAKES; REAR BRAKE CYLINDERS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCES, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 3,000 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 27, 2026. Updated daily.
- Ford Fairmontand 1980, before the model years listed here
- Mercury Zephyrand 1980, before the model years listed here
- Ford Thunderbirdand 1980, before the model years listed here
- Mercury Cougarand 1980, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by FORD MOTOR COMPANY.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 27, 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.
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 27, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 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 27, 2026.