Dealer Letter

To:
All Ford and L-M Dealers

Subject:
Safety Recall 96S51 and Delivery Hold - Certain 1996 Cont., Taurus and Sable Vehicles Equipped With AX4N Automatic Transaxles For Inspection &, If Necessary, Modification of the Automatic Transaxle Park Mechanism

Affected Vehicles
All 1996 model year Continental, Taurus and Sable vehicles equipped with AX4N automatic transaxles.

NOTE:
Some of the vehicles affected by Safety Recall 96S51 are also affected by Safety Recall 96S50. Dealers are to complete both recalls, if applicable, before releasing the vehicle.

Reasons For Recall
The automatic transaxle park mechanism may not prevent the vehicle from rolling even if the transaxle shift lever is firmly placed in the "PARK" position. If the driver is not aware that the park mechanism of the transaxle has not properly engaged and leaves the vehicle unattended without setting the parking brake, the vehicle could, in some cases, be free to roll as if in neutral - creating the possibility of a vehicle crash or personal injury.

To correct this condition, dealers will inspect the park mechanism and, if necessary, install a new park pawl shaft in the transaxle.

NOTE:
UNTIL THIS RECALL IS COMPLETED, IT IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT FOR OWNERS TO ALWAYS FULLY APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE BEFORE EXITING THE VEHICLE. THIS ACTION WILL SERVE AS A BACK-UP TO THE TRANSAXLE PARK FUNCTION TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING.

Do not demonstrate, or deliver any of these cars until they have been inspected and, if necessary, corrected.

Special Tool Action Required
Special tools will be required to perform the repair procedure described in the technical section of this letter. Order this special tool kit (Rotunda No. T97P-77000-AH) by calling 1-800-325-5621. One tool kit per dealership will be provided at no charge via overnight delivery. When calling this number, be prepared to give the following information:

^ Recall Number 96S51
^ Dealer P & A Code
^ Mailing Address
^ Person to Whom Tool Should Be Sent

In addition, pieces from the tool kit used for Safety Recall 96S39 will also be required.

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