1986 Mercury Sable Recalls

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 98V323000
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufacturer Campaign Number: 98S36
Manufactured Begin Date: October 14th, 1985
Manufactured End Date: June 27th, 1995
Date of Owner Notification: January 18th, 1999

Defect Summary:
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.

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

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

Recall 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).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 94E036000
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: January 1st, 1994
Manufactured End Date: November 1st, 1994
Date of Owner Notification: December 15th, 1994

Defect Summary:
THE ARC WELDS ON THE SWAY BAR BRACKET, WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STRUT RESERVE TUBE, DID NOT FUSE PROPERLY.

Consequence Summary:
OVER TIME, A PORTION OF THE BRACKET CAN TEAR AWAY FROM THE STRUT, FALLING INTO AND PUNCTURING THE TIRE OR CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Corrective Summary:
MONROE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STRUT FREE OF CHARGE.

Recall Notes:
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: AFTERMARKET SHOCK ABSORBERS FOR 1986 - 1994 FORD TAURUS AND MERCURY SABLE PASSENGER CARS; PART 71780, 81780.IF THE VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT, PLEASE CONTACT MONROE AT 1-800-521-6754. ALSO, CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 93V106000
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: October 1st, 1985
Manufactured End Date: September 1st, 1988
Date of Owner Notification: July 22nd, 1993

Defect Summary:
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.

Consequence Summary:
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.

Corrective Summary:
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.

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THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY RECALL 98V-323.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 92V065000
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: October 1st, 1985
Manufactured End Date: May 1st, 1992
Date of Owner Notification: May 15th, 1992

Defect Summary:
CHILDREN CAN ACCIDENTALLY LOCK THEMSELVES IN THE FOOTWELL AREA OF THE REAR-FACING THIRD SEAT, OR IN THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT IN STATION WAGONS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL THIRD SEAT. ONCE THE COMPARTMENT IS CLOSED IT CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE.

Consequence Summary:
THERE IS A DANGER OF AIR DEPRIVATION, HYPERTHERMIA,AND/OR PANIC RESPONSE TO A CHILD WHO HAS LOCKED HIMSELF OR HERSELF INTO THECOMPARTMENT, WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF ASPHYXIATION.

Corrective Summary:
REPLACE THE SELF-LATCHING ASSEMBLY CURRENTLY USED IN THE REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT WITH A LATCH ASSEMBLY THAT CAN ONLY BE CLOSED WITH A KEY.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: STRUCTURE: STORAGE COMPARTMENTS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS (STATION WAGONS).NOTE: FORD WILL HAVE SUFFICIENT QUANTITIES OF THE NEW LATCH ASSEMBLIES AVAILABLETO BEGIN THE REPLACEMENT RECALL IN JULY, 1992. UNTIL THE LATCH ASSEMBLY ISREPLACED, FORD RECOMMENDS OWNERS LOCK THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT WHEN NOT IN USE.ALSO, FORD ADVISES THAT THE LATCH STRIKER CAN BE REMOVED TO DISABLE THE CURRENTLATCH UNTIL REVISED LATCH ASSEMBLIES ARE AVAILABLE.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 91V134000
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Date of Owner Notification: September 26th, 1991

Defect Summary:
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.

Consequence Summary:
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.

Corrective Summary:
REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.

Recall 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.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 87V139000
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: July 1st, 1985
Manufactured End Date: August 1st, 1987
Date of Owner Notification: October 12th, 1987

Defect Summary:
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

Consequence Summary:
COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.

Corrective Summary:
INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: FUEL LINE COUPLINGVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS AND LIGHT TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FUELINJECTION.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 87V017000
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: August 1st, 1986
Manufactured End Date: January 1st, 1987
Date of Owner Notification: February 17th, 1987

Defect Summary:
ROAD SALT INDUCED EROSION OF THE WIPER MOTOR CONDUCTOR STRIPS COULD CAUSE LOCALIZED THERMAL STRESS WITHIN THE GLASS.

Consequence Summary:
GLASS COULD FRACTURE WHILE STATION WAGON IS BEING DRIVENOR PARKED, CREATING A RISK OF INJURY TO OCCUPANTS OR SUDDEN DISTRACTION TO THEDRIVER.

Corrective Summary:
APPLY SEALANT TO CONDUCTOR STRIPS AND PROTECTIVE TAPE TO LOWER BACKLITES.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: REAR WINDOW WIPER MOTOR.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: STATION WAGONS EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL REAR WINDOW WIPERMOTORS.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 86V039000
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: January 1st, 1986
Manufactured End Date: February 1st, 1986
Date of Owner Notification: March 5th, 1986

Defect Summary:
THE RIGHT QUARTER WINDOWS MAY CONTAIN GLASS WHICH WAS IMPROPERLY TEMPERED. THIS GLASS MAY YIELD PIECES LARGER THAN THE MAXIMUM ALLOWED BY FMVSS 205, GLAZING MATERIAL. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT THESE LARGE PIECES OF GLASS MAY SERIOUSLY INJURE THE OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR.

Corrective Summary:
REPLACE THE QUARTER WINDOWS CONTAINING DATE CODE 5 AF.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: WINDOW GLAZING/FMVSS 205. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: STATION WAGONS EQUIPPED WITH 5 AF DATE CODE RIGHT SIDE TINTED QUARTER WINDOW GLASS.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 85V172000
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: August 1st, 1985
Manufactured End Date: November 1st, 1985

Consequence Summary:
IF THE CAR IS LEFT UNATTENDED WITH THE KEY REMOVED AND THE IGNITION SWITCH NOT IN LOCK POSITION, THE CAR CAN BE EASILY STOLEN. STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT STOLEN CARS ARE FREQUENTLY INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS.

Corrective Summary:
IGNITION LOCK SWITCH CYLINDER WILL BE REPLACED.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: LOCK, IGNITION SYSTEM, FMVSS 114. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION:PASSENGER CAR.DESCRIPTION DEFECT:THE IGNITION KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH IN POSITIONS OTHER THAN THE LOCK POSITIONS.FMVSS 114 REQUIRES THAT WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT EITHER THE STEERING OR TRANSMISSION BE LOCKED.REMOVAL OF THE KEY WHEN NOT IN THE LOCK POSITION LEAVES THE STEERING AND TRANSMISSION IN THE NORMAL OPERATING MODE.