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NHTSA recall 98V323000

A recall listed here may apply to a vehicle of this year, make and model. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle: check the VIN with the official lookups.

Campaign
Published byNHTSA (United States)
Campaign number98V323000
Manufacturer's number98S36
ManufacturerFORD MOTOR COMPANY
Reported1998-12-16
Owners notified1999-01-18
ComponentSTRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
Units potentially affected2697000

What is wrong

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.

What can happen

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

The remedy

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

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).

Vehicles this campaign lists
1986 FORD TAURUSBuilt 1985-10-14 to 1995-06-27.
1987 FORD TAURUSBuilt 1985-10-14 to 1995-06-27.
1988 FORD TAURUSBuilt 1985-10-14 to 1995-06-27.
1989 FORD TAURUSBuilt 1985-10-14 to 1995-06-27.
1990 FORD TAURUSBuilt 1985-10-14 to 1995-06-27.
1991 FORD TAURUSBuilt 1985-10-14 to 1995-06-27.
1992 FORD TAURUSBuilt 1985-10-14 to 1995-06-27.
1993 FORD TAURUSBuilt 1985-10-14 to 1995-06-27.
1994 FORD TAURUSBuilt 1985-10-14 to 1995-06-27.
1995 FORD TAURUSBuilt 1985-10-14 to 1995-06-27.
1988 LINCOLN CONTINENTALBuilt 1987-11-04 to 1994-11-18.
1989 LINCOLN CONTINENTALBuilt 1987-11-04 to 1994-11-18.
1990 LINCOLN CONTINENTALBuilt 1987-11-04 to 1994-11-18.
1991 LINCOLN CONTINENTALBuilt 1987-11-04 to 1994-11-18.
1992 LINCOLN CONTINENTALBuilt 1987-11-04 to 1994-11-18.
1993 LINCOLN CONTINENTALBuilt 1987-11-04 to 1994-11-18.
1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTALBuilt 1987-11-04 to 1994-11-18.
1986 MERCURY SABLEBuilt 1985-10-14 to 1995-06-27.
1987 MERCURY SABLEBuilt 1985-10-14 to 1995-06-27.
1988 MERCURY SABLEBuilt 1985-10-14 to 1995-06-27.
1989 MERCURY SABLEBuilt 1985-10-14 to 1995-06-27.
1990 MERCURY SABLEBuilt 1985-10-14 to 1995-06-27.
1991 MERCURY SABLEBuilt 1985-10-14 to 1995-06-27.
1992 MERCURY SABLEBuilt 1985-10-14 to 1995-06-27.
1993 MERCURY SABLEBuilt 1985-10-14 to 1995-06-27.
1994 MERCURY SABLEBuilt 1985-10-14 to 1995-06-27.
1995 MERCURY SABLEBuilt 1985-10-14 to 1995-06-27.

A vehicle with no link is not in this site's catalog, which covers cars, multipurpose vehicles and trucks by model year. The campaign is from data as of 2026-10-19.

Investigated as RQ97009

This recall followed 1 NHTSA investigation. An investigation is NHTSA looking into a possible defect. It is not a finding that a defect exists, and it does not say that any one vehicle is affected.

NHTSA investigations that led to this recall
RQ97009Recall query, opened 1997-08-29, closed 1999-02-16. REAR LOWER SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY. STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS.

From NHTSA's investigation file, as of 2026-10-19. The JSON has NHTSA's summary of each.

Bulletins for the same vehicles and component

Bulletins for the same vehicles and component
98321998-05-27. Service bulletin. FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS MADE OF XENOY PLASTIC HAVE HAD THE CONDUCTIVE PRIMER REMOVED FROM SERVICE PARTS. *YC
95B61995-11-01. Service bulletin. UNKNOWN
ONP95B661995-11-01. Service bulletin. CERTAIN VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH LOWER DOOR HINGES CONTAINING BOLTS WHICH MAY FRACTURE. *TW
ONP/95B66A1995-11-01. Service bulletin. CERTAIN VEHICLES HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH LOWER DOOR HINGES CONTAINING BOLTS WHICH MAY FRACTURE. *TW

A bulletin is the manufacturer's note to its dealers. It is not part of this recall.

Check one vehicle officially