1988 Lincoln Continental Recalls

1. Recall Description

   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.

   Possible Effects

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

   Action

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

   Notes

   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).

   Recall Manufacture Dates

   1987-11-04 - 1994-11-18

   Vehicles Affected

   2697000

2. Recall Description

   FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED IN AREAS WHERE CALCIUM CHLORIDE AND SODIUM CHLORIDE ARE USED EXTENSIVELY.

   Possible Effects

   SEVERELY CORRODED ROTORS MAY FRACTURE OR SEPARATE NEARTHE INNER EDGES OF THE BRAKE DISCS RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS,HIGHER THAN NORMAL PEDAL EFFORTS, LOUD GRINDING NOISES, AND MODERATE PULLS WHENTHE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS MAY INCREASE MINIMUMSTOPPING DISTANCES, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.

   Action

   REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.

   Notes

   SYSTEM: BRAKES.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES SOLD OR REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CT, IL, IN, ME, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, AND WI.

   Recall Manufacture Dates

   -

   Vehicles Affected

   325000

3. Recall Description

   VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TAURUS AND SABLES BUILT FROM 10-14-85 THROUGH 8-19-88, AND LINCOLN CONTINENTALS BUILT FROM 11-4-87 THROUGH 9-30-88 (EXCEPT 1989 - 1991 2.5L TAURUS AND 1989 - 1992 SHO). THE AFFECTED CARS WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, AND WISCONSIN. THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, MAY BECOME DETACHED DUE TO CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT RETAINING PLATE. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.

   Possible Effects

   IF ONE OF THE REAR CORNERS DROPS, ONLY MINOR INDICATIONS OF A MALFUNCTION SUCH AS A CLUNKING NOISE OR SLIGHT CHANGE IN STEERING WHEEL ALIGNMENT ARE NOTICEABLE. HOWEVER, IF BOTH REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME DROP, STEERING BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT, WHICH COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

   Action

   INSTALL A CORROSION-RESISTANT REINFORCING PLATE AND A NEW BOLT ON BOTH REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTS. THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY RECALL 98V-323.

   Notes

   THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY RECALL 98V-323.

   Recall Manufacture Dates

   1985-10-01 - 1988-09-01

   Vehicles Affected

   1610000

4. Recall Description

   PROCESS USED FOR CONNECTING THE GAS LINES WAS SUBSTANDARD.

   Possible Effects

   A GAS LEAK COULD DEVELOP CREATING A FIRE POTENTIAL.

   Action

   INSTALL STANDARD GAS LINE COMPRESSION FITTINGS.

   Notes

   SYSTEM: GAS LINES.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED WHEELBASE LIMOUSINES.

   Recall Manufacture Dates

   1977-01-01 - 1988-01-01

   Vehicles Affected

   5

5. Recall Description

   DRIVER AND RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER INBOARD SEAT BELTS MAY BE IMPROPERLY ANCHORED DUE TO LOOSE NUTS THAT COULD BACK OFF.

   Possible Effects

   BELT ANCHOR COULD DISENGAGE THE STUD; AN UNATTACHED BELTASSEMBLY WOULD NOT WITHSTAND AN IMPACT LOAD.

   Action

   INBOARD SEAT BELT ANCHORAGES WILL BE CORRECTED TO PREVENT LOOSENING.

   Notes

   SYSTEM: SEAT BELTS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.

   Recall Manufacture Dates

   1987-10-01 - 1988-01-01

   Vehicles Affected

   4500

6. Recall Description

   TWO TORSION SPRINGS ATTACHED TO REAR SUSPENSION CONTROL ARMS MAY FRACTURE AND RUB AGAINST A REAR TIRE.

   Possible Effects

   THIS COULD RESULT IN SUDDEN LOSS OF TIRE INFLATIONPRESSURE WITH POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.

   Action

   INSTALL TORSION SPRING SEATS TO RESTRICT THE SPRINGS FROM CONTACTING THE TIRE IF THEY SHOULD FRACTURE.

   Notes

   SYSTEM: SUSPENSION/TORSION SPRINGS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.

   Recall Manufacture Dates

   1987-10-01 - 1988-02-01

   Vehicles Affected

   8848

7. Recall Description

   TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLES MAY NOT MEET FORDS PULL OUT LOAD SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE SWIVEL TUBE PORTION OF THE CABLE, WHICH COULD ALLOW THE SWIVEL TUBE TO SEPARATE FROM THE SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY.

   Possible Effects

   OPERATOR WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT FROM ONE OF THEDRIVE GEARS INTO PARK POSITION.

   Action

   REPLACE SHIFT CABLE.

   Notes

   SYSTEM: TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.

   Recall Manufacture Dates

   1987-10-01 - 1988-05-01

   Vehicles Affected

   22893

8. Recall Description

   NYLON SHIELDED WIRING HARNESS, LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO HEAT DAMAGE AND MELTING OF THE NYLON MATERIAL IN 100 DEGREE PLUS WEATHER.

   Possible Effects

   MELTED NYLON SHIELD COULD DRIP ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDAND RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

   Action

   WRAP WIRING HARNESS WITH HEAT RESISTANT FIBERGLASS TAPE.

   Notes

   SYSTEM: WIRING HARNESS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.

   Recall Manufacture Dates

   1987-10-01 - 1988-06-01

   Vehicles Affected

   26000

9. Recall Description

   ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT THAT CONTROLS CURRENT TO BRAKE PUMP MOTOR RELAY, HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONING BLOWER MOTOR, TURN SIGNALS, AND A ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER MAY OVERHEAT DUE TO INABILITY OF IGNITION CIRCUIT WIRING CONNECTIONS TO DISSIPATE HEAT GENERATED BY ELECTRICAL LOADS.

   Possible Effects

   BRAKE PUMP MOTOR WILL NOT OPERATE, SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCINGBRAKING CAPABILITY; BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WILL COME ON.

   Action

   REPLACE IGNITION SWITCH AND MODIFY SWITCH WIRING.

   Notes

   SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.

   Recall Manufacture Dates

   1987-07-01 - 1988-07-01

   Vehicles Affected

   28000