Administrative Procedures

November, 1987

To: All Lincoln-Mercury Dealers (Except dealers in Jacksonville, Los Angeles and Memphis Lincoln-Mercury Sales Districts)

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 technical and administrative instructions, a copy of the letter being sent by the Company to owners and a copy of a letter and a Special Purchase Assistance Certificate that will be sent to original owners who still own their Continentals.

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 panel of the subject vehicles for 36 months from the vehicles' in-service date or 36,000 miles of operation, whichever comes first, or April 29, 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 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 the announcement of this program as a result of the described condition. Owners must provide dealers with proper documentation of the replacement by April 29, 1988. Dealers must submit warranty claim Forms 1863 for owner refund by May 31, 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 Mark VII. Certificates will enclosed with a letter describing this program and the terms the special assistance program.

Please assure that your sales and service personnel are familiar with the details of this program 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.

OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM M54

TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUCTIONS

PLEASE CIRCULATE THESE INSTRUCTIONS TO YOUR PARTS AND SERVICE PERSONNEL QUESTIONS REGARDING THESE INSTRUCTIONS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO SERVICE ZONE MANAGER.

VEHICLES INVOLVED

All 1984 through 1986-model Continental vehicles manufactured at the Wixom Assembly Plant.

PROGRAM FEATURES

Component Covered:

^ Interior "real wood" veneer trim panel applique.

Program Coverage:

^ Ford will pay the replacement cost (parts and for any interior woodgrain veneer trim panel appliques as a result of a bubbling and/or delamination condition for 36 months from the vehicles' in-service date or 36,000 miles of operation, whichever comes first, or April 29, 1988, WHICHEVER PROVIDES GREATER COVERAGE.

Refunds

^ Owners will be refunded for interior "real wood veneer trim panel applique replacement costs incurred prior to this program as a result of the described condition.

^ Owners must request refunds from dealerships by April 29, 1988. Dealers must submit owner refund requests on separate warranty claim Forms 1863 through the Direct Warranty Entry (DWE) System or mailed if your dealership does not have DWE capability by May 31, 1988.

TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS
Inspection

Owners are requested to inspect the interior "real wood" veneer trim panel appliques of their vehicles to determine if the bubbling and/or delamination condition exists. If they prefer, owners may return their vehicles to the dealerships to have the inspection performed at no charge.

(Reference: Appropriate Model-Year, Car Shop Manual - Section 45)

^ Replace all appliques if one or more of the appliques is bubbled and/or delaminated.