Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.
TO:LINCOLN AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY ENGINEERS I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 1991 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL AND WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION A SAFETY ISSUE THAT EFFECTS MANY LARGE INDIVIDUALS THAT DRIVE AUTOMOBILES. AS AN INDIVIDUAL WITH TWO ACADEMIC DEGREES IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, I COULD NOT SIT BY WITHOUT EVALUATING THE CAUSE OF…
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TO:LINCOLN AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY ENGINEERS I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 1991 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL AND WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION A SAFETY ISSUE THAT EFFECTS MANY LARGE INDIVIDUALS THAT DRIVE AUTOMOBILES. AS AN INDIVIDUAL WITH TWO ACADEMIC DEGREES IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, I COULD NOT SIT BY WITHOUT EVALUATING THE CAUSE OF THIS ISSUE AND PASS ALONG SOME HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT. IT SEEMS THAT THE LENGTH OF THE SEATBELT IS INADEQUATE TO ALLOW ENGAGEMENT, LEAVING ME IN A VERY UNSAFE POSITION WHEN DRIVING YOUR VEHICLE. I HAVE OWNED NUMEROUS CARS AND TRUCKS AND HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE THE CASE IN ONLY TWO OF THEM. ONE IS MY PRESENT CAR, THE 1991 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL, AND THE OTHER WAS A 1997 FULL SIZE DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCK. THE BASIC PROBLEM IS LACK OF BELT LENGTH TO WRAP AROUND THE MID-DRIFT OF A LARGE PERSON. IT IS DISTURBING TO THINK THAT EVEN AN AVERAGE SIZED PREGNANT WOMAN MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY WITH THIS SAME ISSUE IN YOUR VEHICLE. IN MY CASE, THE SEAT IS IN THE FULL REAR POSITION AND I HAVE AMPLE ROOM BETWEEN MY MID-DRIFT AND THE STEERING WHEEL (ABOUT 2-3 INCHES). I DO CONSIDER MYSELF A LARGE MAN, BUT I ALSO BELIEVE THAT A SEATBELT SHOULD BE ABLE TO PERFORM FLAWLESSLY WITH ANY TYPE OF BODY STYLE THAT CAN COMFORTABLY OPERATE YOUR AUTOMOBILE. WHAT IS THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM? REDESIGN THE SEATBELTS WITH LONGER BELTS. AS AN ENGINEER, I WOULD SAY THAT ANOTHER 16" WOULD SUFFICE. I HOPE THAT THESE OBSERVATIONS MAY HELP YOU MAKE A BETTER PRODUCT FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS. A LINCOLN CONTINENTAL AND DODGE RAM TRUCK ARE BOTH LARGE VEHICLES DRIVEN BY LARGE PEOPLE, LETS MAKE THEM SAFE AS WELL. I WILL ALSO EMAIL COPIES OF THIS LETTER TO YOUR SALES AND MARKETING DEPARTMENT, AND VARIOUS SAFETY ORGANIZATIONS. HOPEFULLY YOUR ENGINEERS WILL FIND THIS INFORMATION USEFUL. I WOULD ALSO APPRECIATE IF YOUR ENGINEERS COULD MAKE UP A 12-16" SEATBELT EXTENSION THAT I COULD USE TO ENGAGE MY RESTRAINT SYSTEM. IT WOULD BE A FINE TOKEN OF FORD'S DEDICATION TO SAFETY.
NHTSA ODI #709751
Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 1998
Seat Belts
FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WON'T ENGAGE. THINKS VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED.
NHTSA ODI #780121
Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 1998
Seat Belts
FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILS TO LOCK. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE RESTRAINT BUCKLE . *AK
NHTSA ODI #821779
Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 1997
Seat Belts
SEAT BUCKLE FAILED TO LOCK.
NHTSA ODI #520219
Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 1996
Seat Belts
SLOWED TO A STOP SIGN WHEN ENTIRE SEAT BELT UNIT DETACHED FROM FLOOR/ANCHORAGE WHILE USING A CHILD SAFETY SEAT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #803423
Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 1995
Air BagsSeat Belts
LAP/SHOULDER BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN IN ABOVE ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURY.
NHTSA ODI #490847
Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 1995
Seat Belts
LAP/SHOULDER BELT WILL NOT RETRACT, HAVE PUSH THE RELEASE BUTTON FOR SEAT TO RETRACT. TT
NHTSA ODI #969493
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 1995
Air BagsSeat Belts
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO HOLD DRIVER SECURE DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING IN INJURY.
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 & remedy
Consequence: IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L ENGINES AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WATER CAN ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT. IF ENOUGH WATER ACCUMULATES, IT COULD FREEZE WITHIN A LOW AREA OF THE CABLE ROUTING WHEN EXPOSED TO A LONG TERM COLD SOAK AT TEMPERATURES AT LEAST SEVERAL DEGREES BELOW FREEZING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DRIVER CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED USING THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD BE DIMINISHED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.
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 & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Defect investigations
7
EA96024 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires
Opened Sep 30, 1996 · Closed Apr 15, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
PE96033 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires
Opened May 2, 1996 · Closed Sep 30, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
IN DECEMBER 1995, FORD RECALLED 119,313 VEHICLES IN CANADA TO REMEDY THE SUBJECT CONDITION IN CERTAIN 1992-95 TAURUS, SABLE, TEMPO, TOPAZ AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES.FORD IS AWARE OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS OCCURRING IN NORTHERN REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES, BUT MAINTAINS THAT THE FREQUENCIES DO NOT WARRANT A FINDING OF AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.
DP95004 · Alleged Defective Tie Rods
Opened Aug 8, 1995 · Closed Aug 30, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS
EA94008 · Broken Tie Rods
Opened Feb 16, 1994 · Closed Feb 27, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
PE93070 · Failure Of Wheel Studs
Opened Jul 27, 1993 · Closed Nov 22, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
PE93058 · Broken Tie Rods
Opened Jun 15, 1993 · Closed Feb 16, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
EA92040 · SUB-FRM/UNIBODY Absor.fail
Opened Nov 30, 1992 · Closed Jun 30, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (2)
Structure
There is no summary currently available
Structure
There is no summary currently available
An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.
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