Recall - Air Bag Module Inspection/Replacement: Overview

90ford49 November, 1990

TO: Selected North American Ford and Lincoln-Mercury Product Dealers and Affiliated Ford Motor Companies

SUBJECT: Safety Recall 90S15 - Driver's side Supplemental Air Bag Module, Inspection/Replacement


AFFECTED VEHICLES Approximately 55,000 of the following car
models are being recalled to locate approximately 3,000 driver's side supplemental air bag modules suspected of being potentially defective.

* 1990/91 Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis
* 1990 Taurus/Sable
* 1990 Continental
* 1990 Tempo/Topaz

REASONS FOR RECALL The driver's side air bag may not inflate
properly during a crash or collision. The supplier reports that the suspect modules may have previously undetected thread damage in the 2-piece center post of the air bag inflator. If the car is involved in a deployment-level collision, the air bag may not inflate properly to restrain the driver. In addition, hot combustion gases may be released directly through the air bag, presenting the possibility of burn injury to occupants in the car.

To correct this condition, dealers are to remove and inspect the driver's air bag module and replace those with serial numbers which identify the unit as potentially defective.
RENTAL CARS If the air bag module is to be replaced, the
dealer will provide a rental car (free of charge except for fuel) to the owner. Reasonable rental car fee should not exceed $30.00 per day.

VERIFYING NEED All export locations must fax NAAO Export Sales,
FOR AIR BAG Wixom, Michigan, utilizing the inquiry form
MODULE REPLACE- shown in Attachment II. Make additional
MENT copies locally as required. NAAO Export Sales
will respond advising whether or not the module is suspect. If it is, the inquiring export location will receive a replacement module.

ATTACHMENTS Attachment I
- Administrative Information

Attachment II
- Labor Allowances
- Parts Ordering Information

Attachment III
- Technical Information