1981 Mercury Marquis Recalls

---

NHTSA Campaign Number: 82V135000
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: May 1st, 1981
Manufactured End Date: October 1st, 1981
Date of Owner Notification: January 18th, 1983

Defect Summary:
THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED FROM STEEL WITH MATERIAL THICKNESS BELOW THE MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS FOR POLICE DUTY. THIS COULD LEAD TO CRACKS DEVELOPING IN THE CONTROL ARMS, AND EVENTUALLY, THE POSSIBILITY OF FRACTURE OF AN ARM.

Corrective Summary:
THE DEALER WILL INSTALL NEW REAR SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGE.

Recall Notes:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED FOR POLICE DUTY.SYSTEM: REAR SUSPENSION; LOWER CONTROL ARMS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: FRACTURE CAN OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND COULDADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES,PARTICULARLY IN HIGH SPEED PURSUIT DRIVING, FRACTURE OF A CONTROL ARM MAYCREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

---

NHTSA Campaign Number: 80V147000
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: August 1st, 1980
Manufactured End Date: October 1st, 1980
Date of Owner Notification: November 19th, 1980

Defect Summary:
SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES HAVE ELECTRICAL RELAY SYSTEMS WHICH MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER LEAKAGE INTO THE RELAY CASE. WATER ENTRY MAY CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT WITHIN THE RELAY.

Corrective Summary:
DEALER WILL INSPECT VEHICLES FOR THE TYPE OF RELAY USED, REORIENT WIRING HARNESSES AS NECESSARY, AND REPLACE SUSPECT RELAYS WITH NEW PARTS.

Recall Notes:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5.0 AND 5.8 LITERENGINES.SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL; WIRING HARNESS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: A SHORT CIRCUIT WITHIN THE RELAY MAY CAUSE OVERHEATINGWHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE AND PERSONAL INJURY TO PASSENGERS.

---

NHTSA Campaign Number: 80V121000
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: August 1st, 1980
Manufactured End Date: August 1st, 1980
Date of Owner Notification: November 6th, 1980

Defect Summary:
THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY START IN REVERSE GEAR. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING AFFECT". SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A DEFECTIVE NEUTRAL START SWITCH THAT OCCASIONALLY PERMITS ENGINE STARTING WITH THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IN THE REVERSE ("R") POSITION.

Corrective Summary:
DEALER WILL INSPECT THE INVOLVED VEHICLES AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION NEUTRAL START SWITCH AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

Recall Notes:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL; GEAR SHIFT.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: STARTING THE ENGINE WITH THE SHIFT SELECTOR IN THEREVERSE POSITION CAN RESULT IN UNEXPECTED REARWARD MOTION OF THE VEHICLE WHICHCOULD CAUSE INJURY TO PERSONS OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY BEHIND THE VEHICLE.