The defect
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.
The risk
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.
The remedy
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 THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY RECALL 98V-323.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Ford Taurus | 1986, 1987, 1988 |
| Lincoln Continental | 1988 |
| Mercury Sable | 1986, 1987, 1988 |
Components: STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Taurus | 1986 | 101 | 8 |
| Ford Taurus | 1987 | 255 | 8 |
| Ford Taurus | 1988 | 333 | 5 |
| Lincoln Continental | 1988 | 84 | 9 |
| Mercury Sable | 1986 | 46 | 8 |
| Mercury Sable | 1987 | 76 | 8 |
| Mercury Sable | 1988 | 126 | 5 |
Other structure recalls in 1993
22 of the 223 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1993 concerned the structure; FORD MOTOR COMPANY filed 963 campaigns in all.
| 93V221000 30 Dec 1993 | TRACKER MARINE CORP. |
| 93V218000 15 Dec 1993 | FRUEHAUF CORPORATION |
| 93V207000 7 Dec 1993 | WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC. |
| 93V206000 7 Dec 1993 | FAIRMONT TAMPER |
| 93V197000 24 Nov 1993 | CHANCE COACH, INC. |
| 93V032007 24 Nov 1993 | GILLIG CORPORATION |
| 93V185000 8 Nov 1993 | HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR CO. |
| 93V174000 29 Oct 1993 | MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INC |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1993