Safety Recall NHTSA · 81V121000 Reported October 6, 1981

Wheels:multiple:lugs:nuts:bolts

Ford Motor Company · Wheels · 16,500 vehicles potentially affected

NHTSA ID
81V121000
Manufacturer Campaign
NR (Not Reported)
Manufacturer
Component
Wheels
Vehicles Affected
16,500
Recall Type
Vehicle
Report Received
October 6, 1981

Defect Summary

The owner"s guide may contain an error in the wheel lug nut torque specification chart. Incorrect information could result in improper torque of the lug nuts during wheel replacement. Lug nuts could come loose during vehicle operation.

Corrective Action

An adhesive-backed, revised page will be supplied to owners for insertion in the owner"s guide. In addition, dealers will provide torque verification, if one or more wheels have been serviced, at no cost to owners.

What you should do

  1. Look up your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm this recall applies to your vehicle.
  2. Contact an authorized Ford Motor Company dealer and reference recall ID 81V121000 or campaign NR (Not Reported).
  3. Schedule the free repair. By federal law, the manufacturer must remedy the defect at no cost.
View Official NHTSA Notice →
Related

Similar Recalls

Other recalls from Ford Motor Company or involving Wheels.

FAQ: Recall 81V121000

Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.

What is recall 81V121000?

NHTSA recall 81V121000 was issued by Ford Motor Company on October 6, 1981. It addresses: Wheels:multiple:lugs:nuts:bolts. The recall affects approximately 16,500 vehicles, with the defect involving the Wheels component.

How do I get this recall repaired?

Contact any authorized Ford Motor Company dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 81V121000 or the manufacturer campaign number NR (Not Reported). Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.

Is my vehicle included in this recall?

The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.

How long do I have to get a recall repair done?

There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.

Where does the data on this page come from?

All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.