NHTSA safety recall

Recall 98V323000 · manufacturer campaign 98S36

Structure › Frame And Members — Ford, Lincoln, Mercury · reported 16 Dec 1998 · 2,697,000 vehicles potentially affected

What's wrong

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGNIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT CAN EXPERIENCE STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IF SUBJECTED TO LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALTS. THIS CAN RESULT IN FRACTURE AND LOSS OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT ATTACHMENT. DETACHMENT OF THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ALLOWS THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.

The risk

IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

The fix

DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.

NOTE:THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN SUPERCEDES RECALL CAMPAIGN 93V-106.OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN JANUARY 18, 1999.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

NHTSA campaign
98V323000
Manufacturer campaign
98S36
Filed by
Ford Motor Company
Report received
16 Dec 1998
Owners notified
18 Jan 1999
Potentially affected
2,697,000

Vehicles covered by this recall

Whether a particular car is affected and still unrepaired depends on its VIN — a model year being listed does not mean every car of that year is included. Check any VIN free on CarLogs, or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

1986 Ford Taurus 1987 Ford Taurus 1988 Ford Taurus 1989 Ford Taurus 1990 Ford Taurus 1991 Ford Taurus 1992 Ford Taurus 1993 Ford Taurus 1994 Ford Taurus 1995 Ford Taurus 1988 Lincoln Continental 1989 Lincoln Continental 1990 Lincoln Continental 1991 Lincoln Continental 1992 Lincoln Continental 1993 Lincoln Continental 1994 Lincoln Continental 1986 Mercury Sable 1987 Mercury Sable 1988 Mercury Sable 1989 Mercury Sable 1990 Mercury Sable 1991 Mercury Sable 1992 Mercury Sable 1993 Mercury Sable 1994 Mercury Sable 1995 Mercury Sable

Is this car's recall fixed?

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer, for the life of the vehicle. A CarLogs report shows the recall status for a specific VIN as reported by the manufacturer — whether it's open or repaired, and whether the fix is available yet.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall database. Look up another campaign →