Springs: coil springsRecall 98V-094 · Ford and Mercury vehicles
FORD MOTOR COMPANY recall 98V-094 covers 281,000 Ford and Mercury vehicles for a springs: coil springs problem, reported to NHTSA on May 6, 1998.
Source: NHTSA recall 98V094000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by an NHTSA defect investigation.
The problem
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF NEW YORK, MICHIGAN, OHIO, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, PENNSYLVANIA, MASSACHUSETTS, INDIANA, NEW JERSEY, MAINE, CONNECTICUT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, MINNESOTA, IOWA, MISSOURI, KENTUCKY, MARYLAND, DELAWARE, AND WEST VIRGINIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS CAN FRACTURE AS A RESULT OF CORROSION IN COMBINATION WITH SMALL CRACKS IN THE SPRINGS.
The risk
THE FRONT TIRE COULD DEFLATE DUE TO A BROKEN FRONT COIL SPRING CONTACTING THE TIRE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING CATCHER BRACKET WHICH WILL PREVENT A FRACTURED SPRING FROM CONTACTING A TIRE.
OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES RECEIVED TWO NOTIFICATIONS.THE FIRST NOTIFICATION WAS MAILED JULY 16, 1998, ADVISING OWNERS THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE.THE SECOND NOTICE WAS SENT (A POSTCARD) ON NOVEMBER 4, 1998,THAT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. 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 repairs are free. Confirm whether this recall is open on your vehicle by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Vehicles in this recall
Built from August 1, 1992 to July 31, 1993. Not every vehicle in these model years is included; check by VIN.
The investigation behind this recall
- FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FAILURENHTSA
- FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING BREAKAGENHTSA
- FRONT SUSPENSION SPRINGNHTSA