Owner Letter Information

January, 1984

SAFETY RECALL 478 - MODIFICATION OF STEERING COLUMN LOCK MECHANISM AND
INSTALLATION OF TIRE INFORMATION PLACARD
^ VEHICLES INVOLVED - CERTAIN 1984 MARK VII VEHICLES
^ ENCLOSURE - A NEW TIRE INFORMATION PLACARD TO BE INSTALLED ON YOUR VEHICLE

Dear Owner:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the U.S. National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Ford Motor Company has determined that certain 1984 Mark VII vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) No. 114, "Theft Protection", and No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims". Our records indicate that you own a vehicle involved in this recall, which is identified by serial number on the enclosed Form 1864.

DESCRIPTION OF CONDITION TO BE REPAIRED:

It may be possible for you to engage the steering lock of your vehicle by turning the ignition key to "OFF", even though you have not placed the gearshift selector lever in "PARK". The lock mechanism was intended to have a safeguard that would require the driver both to place the gearshift selector lever in "PARK" and to turn the ignition key to "OFF" before the lock mechanism could be engaged. It is this safeguard that may not function properly in your vehicle. While most drivers never have reasons to turn the ignition keys of their vehicles to "OFF" while their vehicles are in motion, you should nonetheless take special precautions until your vehicle has been repaired to not move the ignition key of your vehicle to the "OFF" position while it is being operated.

In addition, the tire information placard located on the right hand door pillar of your vehicle shows an incorrect number of designated seating positions (6) and an incorrect total weight capacity (1100 lbs. of occupants and cargo). The correct seating capacity is 5 persons and the total weight capacity of passengers and cargo is 900 lbs.

SERVICE TO BE PERFORMED:

Ford is recalling your vehicle to correct these conditions. We wish to modify the steering lock mechanism and to install a new tire information placard on your vehicle - both at no cost to you.
TO HAVE THIS SERVICE PERFORMED:

^ Contact a Lincoln-Mercury or Ford dealer immediately for an appointment to have the recall service performed. Dealers have repair instructions and an initial shipment of parts. If your dealer does not have the parts in stock, they may be ordered on a rush basis. The time needed to do the service is less than one hour.

^ Present the enclosed Form 1864 to your dealership when the recall service is performed. The form authorizes the dealer to perform this service at no charge to you. After repairing your vehicle, the dealer will return the form to us verifying that the required service has been performed. If you lose the Form 1864, the dealer will still repair your vehicle at no charge to you.

IF YOU NO LONGER OWN THE VEHICLE:

Please remove the postage prepaid card from the Form 1864, complete Section 1, and return it to us. Your input is needed to update our records.

If you have difficulties in getting this recall service performed, please complete Section 3 of the prepaid postcard and mail it to us. If you still cannot get this repair done promptly and without charge, you may wish to report that fact to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C. 20590. Or, you may call the toll-free Auto Safety Hotline at 800-424-9393.

We regret the inconvenience this recall may cause you; but we urge you to have this service performed for your safety and satisfaction with your vehicle.