Hearth Record

Steering: column locking: anti-theft device (Ford and Mercury)

Vehicle recall 85V-172. NHTSA received FORD MOTOR COMPANY’s report on Dec 26, 1985.

NHTSA’s own record, on nhtsa.gov

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The short answer

NHTSA received FORD MOTOR COMPANY’s report on Dec 26, 1985. 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?

IF THE CAR IS LEFT UNATTENDED WITH THE KEY REMOVED AND THE IGNITION SWITCH NOT IN LOCK POSITION, THE CAR CAN BE EASILY STOLEN. STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT STOLEN CARS ARE FREQUENTLY INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 27, 2026. Updated daily.

  • NHTSA’s part: Steering: column locking: anti-theft device.

What should you do?

IGNITION LOCK SWITCH CYLINDER WILL BE REPLACED.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 27, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: SYSTEM: LOCK, IGNITION SYSTEM, FMVSS 114. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION:PASSENGER CAR.DESCRIPTION DEFECT:THE IGNITION KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH IN POSITIONS OTHER THAN THE LOCK POSITIONS.FMVSS 114 REQUIRES THAT WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT EITHER THE STEERING OR TRANSMISSION BE LOCKED.REMOVAL OF THE KEY WHEN NOT IN THE LOCK POSITION LEAVES THE STEERING AND TRANSMISSION IN THE NORMAL OPERATING MODE.
  • Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.

Which ones are recalled?

NHTSA counts 4,500 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 27, 2026. Updated daily.

  • Ford Taurusand 1986, before the model years listed here
  • Mercury Sableand 1986, before the model years listed here

Who is recalling it?

  • Made by FORD MOTOR COMPANY.
Source:

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.
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 27, 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 8, 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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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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