99 Recalls

Updated 01/27/2005

Office of Defects Investigation Recall Database

 

Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles equipped with manual seat tracks. The front seat belt buckle attaching stud may have been improperly heat treated. This heat treatment may have resulted in cracks developing in the stud.

If the stud is cracked, in the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Dealers will replace the seat belt buckle mounting bracket and stud assembly. Owner notification began September 4, 1998. 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).

 

 

Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles. A dash insulator retainer clip was not fully assembled to the accelerator cable dash fitting. The clip can disengage from the accelerator cable and fall into the accelerator pedal arm pivot area.

If this condition occurs, the engine may not fully return to idle. Also, the insulator may not stay in the intended location and could interfere with the accelerator cable.

Dealers will inspect these vehicles to ensure proper installation of the accelerator cable clip, and re-install if needed. Owner notification is expected to begin September 21, 1998. 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).

 

 

Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles equipped with the "California" emissions package. An incorrect transmission oil cooler line was installed. The line contacts the anti-lock braking system module support bracket and over time, can wear and develop a leak.

Transmission fluid leakage onto the exhaust manifold or catalytic converter can result in a fire.

Dealers will install the appropriate transmission oil cooler line. Owner notification began November 25, 1998. 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).

 

 

Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles. The seat belt retractor may have a pin shaft in the switchable ELR/ALR mechanism that is incorrectly formed. In some circumstances, the switching mechanism could become nonfunctional, preventing the seat belt webbing from being extracted from the retractor. It is also possible that malfunction of the mechanism could prevent the belt from being switched into the ALR mode. The ELR mechanism is not affected by this condition.

If the mechanism malfunctions and does not allow the webbing to be extracted, the lap and shoulder belt could not be worn by a vehicle occupant. In the event that the mechanism does not allow the ALR mode to be engaged, the operator may be unable to properly install a child seat in that seating position.

Dealers will inspect the lap and shoulder belt assemblies. Assemblies with julian date codes of 200 through 223 are suspect and will be replaced. Owner notification began October 11, 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).

________________________________________________________________

01/27/2005

F. M. Ligon

Ford Motor Company

P.O. Box 1904

Deabrn, Michigan 48121

F0258240 1084

lllllllllllllllllllllll,llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

1999 Taurus

Vehicle ID #:  August, 2004

 

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traftic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

Ford Motor Company has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1999 through 2001 model year Taurus and Sable vehicles.

We apologize for this situation and want to assure you that, with your assistance, we will correct this condition. Our commitment, together with Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers, is to provide you with the highest level of service and support possible.

What is the issue? In some of the affected vehicles, the front coil springs could potentially fracture when operated in high corrosion areas (where salt is used on the roadways during winter months) for an extended period of time. There is a potential for a fractured spring to move past the spring seat and contact a front tire. If a spring should fracture and come in contact with a tire, the tire may rupture resulting in a rapid air loss, which could increase the risk of a crash without warning.

What will Ford and your Effective December 2004: Ford has issued Safety Recall 04S17 to install dealer do? protective spring shields on your vehicle, in addition to extending the warranty on the front coil springs as described below. We expect that these shields will be available in December 2004. When parts become available, you will be notified to contact your dealer for an appointment to have Safety Recall 04S17 performed on your vehicle. In this program, your dealer will install protective shields around the front coil spri'ngs of your vehicle. These shields will prevent the possibility of tire contacting should the spring fracture.

Ford Motor Company will repair your vehicle free of charge (parts and labor).

Effective Immediately: In addition to Safety Recall 04S17, you are eligible for

Customer Satisfaction Program 04M04. This program extends the coverage of the front coil springs, for fracture only, for a period up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first.

If your vehicle has already accumulated more than 150,000 miles, this coverage will last until July 31,2005. Coverage is automatically transferred to subsequent owners. This coverage exceeds the original warranty coverage of your vehicle for this part. - If either front coil spring fractures, Ford Motor Company and your dealer will - replace both front springs at no charge to you under the terms of this program.

How long will it take? When you are notified that parts are available for Safety Recall 04S17 and you schedule an appointment with your dealer, the repair would require less than one-half day. However, due to service scheduling requirements, your dealer may need your vehicle for a longer period of time.

What are we asking you If you experience a fractured front spring on your vehicle:

to do? Schedule an appointment with your dealer.

Your dealer will replace both front springs at no charge within the extended warranty period. In December 2004, we will notify you to contact your dealer to have Safety Recall 04S17 (Installation of Front Coil Spring Protective Shields) performed on your vehicle.

If your vehicle is operating normally:

You do not need to do anything until you are notified in December to have Safety Recall 04S17 performed on your vehicle. B After you receive the notification, call your dealer without delay and request

a service date for Recall 04S17. When you call your dealer, please provide them with the Vehicle Identification Number VIN) of your vehicle. The VIN is printed near your name at the beginning of this letter.

If you do not already have a servicing dealer, you can access

http://www.aenuineflmservice.com  for dealer addresses, maps, and driving instructions.

Please note: Federal law requires that any vehicle lessor receiving this recall notice must forward a copy of this notice to the lessee within ten days.

Have you changed your If you have, please fill out the enclosed prepaid postcard and mail it to us so we address or sold the can update our records. If you have sold the vehicle, the information you provide vehicle? on the postcard will be used to notify the new owner about this recall.

Have you previously If you paid to have this service done before the date of this letter, you may be

paid to have the front eligible for a refund under program 04M04. To initiate a refund request, please

coil springs replaced? give your paid original receipt to your dealer. To avoid delays, do not send receipts to Ford Motor Company.

Can we assist you further?

If you have difficulty getting your vehicle repaired promptly and without charge, please contact your dealership's Service Manager for assistance.

If you still have concerns, please contact the Ford Motor Company Customer

Relationship Center and one of our representatives will be happy to assist you.

Call 1-866-436-7332. For the hearing impaired call 1-800-232-5952 (TDD)

Office Hours: (Eastem Time Zone)

Monday - Friday: 8AM - 8PM

Saturday:

-

9AM - 5:30PM

If you wish to contact us through the Internet, our address is:

www.ownerconnection.com

If you are still having difficulty getting your vehicle repaired in a reasonable time or without charge, you may write the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street S. W., Washington, C). C. 20590 or call the toll free Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or 1-800-424-9393.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter

Sincerely,

Frank M. Ligon

Director

Service Engineering Operations