Hearth Record

Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl) (Ford, Mercury and Lincoln)

Vehicle recall 81V-008. NHTSA received FORD MOTOR COMPANY’s report on Jan 12, 1981.

NHTSA’s own record, on nhtsa.gov

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The short answer

NHTSA received FORD MOTOR COMPANY’s report on Jan 12, 1981. 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.

THIS IS A MANUFACTURER”S NOTICE TO ADVISE OWNERS OF PROPER VEHICLE OPERATION.

THE PARKING GEAR MAY NOT BE SECURELY ENGAGED AFTER THE OPERATOR HAS ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT TO PARK.

THE VEHICLE MAY APPEAR TO BE IN PARK THOUGH ACTUALLY IN REVERSE.

THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE UNEXPECTEDLY.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

  • NHTSA’s part: Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl).

What should you do?

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SELF-STICKING LABEL CONTAINING IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AS A DAILY REMINDER OF THE SERIOUS HAZARDS OF UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOTION. IT SHOULD BE PLACED INSIDE THE VEHICLE IN AN EASILY SEEN LOCATION.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND LIGHT TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FMX,C-3, C-4, C-6, OR JATCO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.SYSTEM: POWER TRAIN; AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT MAY RESULT IN ACCIDENT,INJURY OR DEATH, ESPECIALLY TO PERSONS IN THE PATH OF THE VEHICLE.NOTE: DRIVERS SHOULD OBSERVE THESE STEPS: 1) MAKE CERTAIN GEAR LEVER IS ENGAGEDIN PARK, 2) SET PARKING BRAKE FULLY, AND 3) SHUT OFF IGNITION.
  • Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.

Which ones are recalled?

NHTSA counts 21,000,000 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

  • Ford Ford Truckand 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1980, before the model years listed here
  • Mercury Mercuryand 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1980, before the model years listed here
  • Ford Fordand 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1980, before the model years listed here
  • Lincoln Lincolnand 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979 and 1980, before the model years listed here

Who is recalling it?

  • Made by FORD MOTOR COMPANY.
Source:

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.
  • 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 20, 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.

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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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