Steering: linkages: drag: link: connection (Autocar)
Vehicle recall 81V-044. NHTSA received WHITE MOTOR CORPORATION’s report on Apr 1, 1981.
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The short answer
NHTSA received WHITE MOTOR CORPORATION’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 BALL STUD NUTS USED TO FASTEN THE DRAG LINK BALL STUD ENDS TO THE PITMAN ARM AND STEERING ARM MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED ON SOME VEHICLES.
IF THE NUTS ARE NOT SECURELY FASTENED THE BALL STUD COULD PREMATURELY FAIL AND DRAG LINK WOULD BECOME LOOSE.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Steering: linkages: drag: link: connection.
What should you do?
THE BALL STUD NUTS WILL BE CHECKED AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL BE SECURELY FASTENED FREE OF CHARGE.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY TRUCKS.SYSTEM: STEERING; DRAG LINK BALL STUD ATTACHING NUTS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THE BALL STUD COULD BREAK, RESULTING IN A LOSS OFVEHICLE CONTROL AND POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.NOTE: IF THE VEHICLE TENDS TO WANDER OR STEERING SEEMS ERRATIC, A LOOSE DRAGLINK MAY BE PRESENT.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 631 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- Autocar Autocarand 1980, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by WHITE MOTOR CORPORATION.
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.
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.