Owners Letter Information
October, 1983To: Selected Ford and Lincoln-Mercury Dealers
Subject: Owner Notification Programs M24 and M25 - Ford-Manufactured Power Rack and Pinion Steering, Gear Assembly on Certain 1978 Through 1983-Model Vehicles (Fairmont, Mustang, Thunderbird, Granada, LTD, Zephyr, Capri, XR-7, Cougar, Marquis and Continental)
The purpose of this letter is to advise you of Owner Notification Programs M24 and M25 that are applicable only to those subject vehicles registered in 17 northern cold-climate states. Complete technical and administrative instructions (Attachment I) and a copy of the letter (Attachment II) that will be sent to affected owners residing in those states are provided for vour information in the event you receive owner inquiries regarding the programs.
We have found that a temporary reduction in power steering assist may occur on some of the subject vehicles when first started cold. This is the result of internal valve bore wear of the power steering gear housing and is more evident in cold temperatures. The wear condition primarily causes an initial start-up delay in full power assist, not a sudden and unexpected loss of power assist. Once the vehicle is warmed-up, full power steering assist is restored and the system will function normally.
Owner Notification Program M24 provides to owners of involved vehicles who reside in 17 northern cold-climate states no-charge repair coverage of the Ford manufactured power rack and pinion steering gear assembly if the housing valve bore wear condidtion occurs within five years from the veheicle in-service date or 50,000 miles of operation, whichever comes first. Reimbursement will be provided under Owner Notificationfor prior owner-paid repairs performed to correct the condition within the five year/50,000 mile limitation
Specfics of the programs are as follows:
Vehicles Involved: The programs involve certain 1978 through early 1983- model Ford passenger cars equipped with the Ford-manufactured power rack and pinion steering assembly. For specific vehicle information, please refer to the technical and administrative instrucions (Attachment I).
Owners Involved: ^ Owners residing in the following 17 eligible states: Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York (northern section only), North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Wisconsin and Wyoming. See the "Owner Notification" portion of Attachment I for specific areas in the state of New York where owners will be notified.
^ Owners residing in the remaining 33 states (including a portion of New York) who possess vehicles similar to those involved in these programs are not eligible and will not be notified of these programs.
Components Covered: ^ Ford-manufactured power rack and pinion steering gear assembly.
^ The TRW power rack and pinion steering gear assembly is not involved in these programs. The TRW gear, assembly is a two piece assembly and has a bolt-on iron control valve (pinion) housing.
^ Coverage is not provided for the repair or replacement of steering gear tie rods, tie rod ends, bellows and the power steering pump, fittings, hoses and clamps beyond the new vehicle warranty. These components are not affected by the internal valve bore wear of the power steering gear housing. The repair of external power steering system fluid leakage also is not covered.
Repair Coverage: ^ Ford will pay the replacement cost (parts and labor) of the Ford-manufactured power rack and pinion steering gear assembly when required as a result of internal valve bore wear of the power steering gear housing within five years from the vehicle in-service date or 50,000 miles of operation, whichever comes first.
Reimbursement: ^ Owners will be reimbursed for prior Ford-manufactured power rack and pinion steering gear assembly replacement/repair costs incurred within five years from their vehicle's in-service date or 50,000 miles of operation, whichever comes first.
^ Reimbursement will include the deductible amount owners may have paid under Ford's Major Components Coverage (applicable only to Continental), Ford's Extended Service Plan (ESP) or any similar Plan in effect on their vehicles.
^ Owners are to request reiembursement from dealerships by May 31, 1984. Dealerships must submit claims for owner reimbursement requests on separate warranty claim Forms 1863, either mailed or through the Direct Warranty Entry System, by July 31, 1984.
Your service personnel may perform the repairs provided under the provisions of Owner Notification Program M24 on involved vehicles registered in the 17 eligible states including the designated northern section of New York. Your service manager, however, must obtain authorization from your Ford Parts and Service Division District Office prior to performing the repairs. Further information on this matter is included in the technical and administrative instructions. Your service personnel are also asked to prepare claims for eligible owner reimbursement requests within the provisions of Owner Notification, Program M25.
Mailings to owners of affected vehicles who reside in the 17 eligible states will be made in phases starting early in October, 1983. Subsequent mailings will be made as quickly as possible without jeopardizing parts availability. In the interim, this package should be provided to your appropriate parts and service personnel for review and retention until required.
Please assure that your sales and service personnel are familiar with the details of this program in order that they may respond to owner inquiries.
Your cooperation in the administration of Owner Notification Programs M24 and M25 is appreciated.
Attachment I Page 1 of 6