Hearth Record

Power train: manual transmission: shift pattern indicator (Ford)

Vehicle recall 81V-042. NHTSA received FORD MOTOR COMPANY’s report on Apr 1, 1981.

NHTSA’s own record, on nhtsa.gov

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The short answer

NHTSA received FORD MOTOR COMPANY’s report on Apr 1, 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.

THE GEAR POSITION INDICATORS ON CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY BE TOO SHORT TO BE READILY VISIBLE TO SOME DRIVERS.

THIS IS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 101, “CONTROLS AND DISPLAY”, WHICH STATES THAT THE GEAR POSITION DISPLAY MUST BE VISIBLE TO DRIVER.

Source:

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

  • NHTSA’s part: Power train: manual transmission: shift pattern indicator.

What should you do?

IF POINTER OF GEAR POSITION INDICATOR IS FOUND TO BE TOO SHORT, IT WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

Source:

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

  • How to reach the firm: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VANS EQUIPPED WITH NON-TILT STEERING COLUMNS.SYSTEM: POWER TRAIN; AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEAR POSITION INDICATOR.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: DIFFICULTY IN VIEWING THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR MAYRESULT IN INCORRECT SHIFTING OF GEARS, UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT, ACCIDENT,AND PERSONAL INJURY.
  • Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.

Which ones are recalled?

NHTSA counts 1,650 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

Source:

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

  • Ford Econolineand 1981, 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.

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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