Dealer Letter

April, 1996

To:
All Ford and L-M Dealers

Subject:
Safety Recall 96S38 - Certain 1996 Lincoln Town Cars, Thunderbird, Cougar, Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, Explorer and Aerostar Vehicles For Inspection and, If Necessary, Replacement of the Driver Door Latch

Affected Vehicles
Certain 1996 Lincoln Town Cars built at Wixom Assembly Plant from 3/1/96 through 3/24/96

Certain 1996 Thunderbird/Cougar built at Lorain Assembly Plant from 2/27/96 through 3/24/96

Certain 1996 Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis built at St. Thomas Assembly Plant from 2/28/96 through 3/24/96

Certain 1996 Explorer built at Louisville Assembly Plant from 2/22/96 through 3/24/96

Certain 1996 Explorer built at St. Louis Assembly Plant from 2/26/96 through 3/24/96

Certain 1996 Aerostar built at St. Louis Assembly Plant from 2/26/96 through 3/24/96

Reasons For Recall
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 206 requires that the door latch and striker assembly sustain a 1000 pound load in the transverse direction when the latch is engaged in the secondary position (partially latched). On some of these vehicles, the driver's door, when closed only to the secondary latched position, may not sustain a 1000 pound transverse load. The door latches are fully operational and meet all Standard No. 206 requirements in the primary latched position (fully latched).

To correct this condition, dealers are to inspect and, if necessary, replace the driver door latch.

NOTICE:
Federal law requires that dealer stock vehicles must be corrected before delivery.

Questions?
Claims Information 1-800-423-8851
Other Recall Questions 1-800-325-5621

Attachments

Attachment I
^ Administrative Information

Attachment II
^ Labor Allowances
^ Parts and Ordering Information

Attachment III
^ Technical Information