Campaign - Interior Wooden Trim Panels: Overview
87ford25October, 1987
To: All Houston District Lincoln-Mercury Dealers
Subject: Owner Notification Program M54 - 1984 through 1986-Model Continental Interior "Real Wood" Veneer Trim Panel Appliques
This is to advise you of Owner Notification Program M54 and to provide the attached technical and administrative instructions (Attachment I), a copy of the letter being sent by the Company to owners (Attachment II) and a copy of a letter and a Special Purchase Assistance Certificate that will be sent to original owners who still own their Continentals (Attachments III, A and B).
Reason For The Program
We have found that some of the subject vehicles may experience a condition in which the interior "real wood" veneer trim panel appliques may bubble and/or delaminate. These conditions appear to be caused by extended time in-service and prolonged heat exposure which causes a bond weakness between the wood veneer and the vacuum formed skin.
Vehicles Involved The vehicles involved in this program are 1984
through 1986-model Continentals manufactured at the Wixom Assembly Plant.
Program Provisions and Limitations
This program provides extended coverage for the interior "real wood" veneer trim panels of the subject vehicles for 36 months from the vehicles' in-service date or 36,000 miles of operation, whichever comes first, or April 15, 1988, WHICHEVER PROVIDES GREATER COVERAGE. Replacement of panels covered under this program will be performed on eligible vehicles at no charge to owners within these limitations. The replacement panels are the same as the panels used in 1987-model Continentals.
THIS PROGRAM SUPERSEDES PREVIOUS OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM M34 WHICH WAS ANNOUNCED IN OCTOBER, 1984. THEREFORE, THE VEHICLES THAT WERE SERVICED UNDER THE PREVIOUS PROGRAM ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE SERVICE PROVIDED BY THIS PROGRAM.
Refunds Refunds are to be provided to owners who have
paid for replacement of the trim panels prior to the announcement of this program as a result of the described condition. Owners must provide dealers with proper documentation of the replacement by April 13, 1988. Dealers must submit warranty claim Forms 1863 for owner refund by May 15, 1988.
Special Purchase Assistance Certificates
Original owners of 1984 through 1986-model Continentals, who still own the vehicles, will be provided Special Purchase Assistance certificates. These certificates will provide owners with $1,000 toward the purchase, lease or order of a 1988-model Lincoln Town Car, Continental or Mark VII. Certificates will be enclosed with the letter describing this program and the terms of the special assistance program.
Please assure that your sales and service personnel are familiar with the details of this program so that they may respond to owner inquiries.
Your cooperation in the administration of this program is appreciated. We believe that this program will help to assure owners' continued satisfaction with their Continental vehicles.