Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly (Mercury and Ford)
Vehicle recall 83V-012. NHTSA received FORD MOTOR COMPANY’s report on Feb 8, 1983.
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The short answer
NHTSA received FORD MOTOR COMPANY’s report on Feb 8, 1983. 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.
SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH FUEL TANKS THAT HAVE INADEQUATELY WELDED FRONT SEAMS THAT CAN LEAK.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 27, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly.
What should you do?
THE DEALER WILL DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WAS CORRECTED AT THE FACTORY; IF NOT, THE FUEL TANK WILL BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 27, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8 LITER ENGINES.SYSTEM: FUEL SYSTEMS; FUEL TANK.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: LEAKING FUEL, IN COMBINATION WITH A SOURCE OF IGNITION,COULD RESULT IN A FIRE AND PERSONAL INJURY.NOTE: THE OWNER SHOULD NOT OPERATE HIS VEHICLE UNTIL THE NECESSARY CORRECTIONIS MADE.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 2,673 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 27, 2026. Updated daily.
- Mercury Cougarand 1983, before the model years listed here
- Ford Thunderbirdand 1983, 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.