Dealer Letter

September, 1996

To:
All Lincoln-Mercury Dealers

Subject:
Safety Recall 96S42 - Replacement Seat Belt Retractors in the Rear Outboard Positions Installed as Service Parts on Certain 1996 Model Year Lincoln Town Cars

Affected Equipment
Service replacement seat belt retractors which were ordered based on information in early editions of the 1996 Master Parts Catalog (catalogs with issue dates of August through December, 1995) and installed in the rear outboard seating positions of certain 1996 Model Year Lincoln Town Cars.

The VIN list identifies vehicles that warranty records indicate have received affected service seat belt retractors; the list also identifies which retractors were replaced. If early editions of the Master Parts Catalog was used to replace any rear outboard seat belt retractors on 1996 Lincoln Town Cars that are not identified on the VIN list, please contact those affected owners and give them a copy of the letter. Contact your FCSD Regional Office to request approval for vehicles which your records indicate are affected but are not in OASIS.

Reasons For Recall
The early editions of the 1996 Master Parts Catalog (issue dates of August through December, 1995) listed incorrect part numbers for the 1996 Lincoln Town Car rear outboard seat belt retractors which have a switchable ALR/ELR feature (Automatic Locking Retractor/Emergency Locking Retractor). The early editions listed the 1995 part numbers rather than the 1996 part numbers. The 1995 level part does not have the ALR feature.

Any 1996 Lincoln Town Car which had a service seat belt retractor installed in the rear outboard position based on the parts listed in the early editions of the Master Parts Catalog may have received a retractor without the ALR feature. As a result, the belt system would not satisfy Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208 lockability requirements to accommodate child seats which became effective in September, 1995. Also, instructions for the installation of child restraints that are contained in the Owner's Manual of the 1996 vehicles would not be appropriate for a vehicle fitted with the 1995 level part.

This action affects only 1996 Town Cars; all editions of the Master Parts Catalog as well as the actual parts are correct for 1995 Town Cars. In addition, beginning with the January issue of the 1996 Master Parts Catalog, correct part numbers are listed for all 1996 Lincoln Town Car seat belt retractors. However, because of the planned service action, (see below) this will require revision.

Service Action
Affected seat belt retractors are to be replaced with 1997 level retractors. See Attachment II for correct part numbers.

NOTE:
Approximately 350 cars are involved in this recall. Vehicles identified in OASIS are those known to be affected based on an analysis of repair claims.

Attention Parts Manager
Only order replacement belts for affected units. Do not order for stock.

If a dealer is aware of an affected vehicle not listed in OASIS, dealers are instructed to contact their regional office for approval and submit the claim under this program to obtain reimbursement. Regional approval to dealers is given by means of the 5-digit approval number from the code generator.

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

Attachments

Attachment I
^ Administrative Information

Attachment II
^ Labor Allowances
^ Parts Ordering Information

Attachment III
^ Technical Information