Ford Recalls 87,485 Police Cars, Taxis, and Limos

09/10/96

The Associated Press has reported that Ford Motor Company announced that it will recall 87,485 vehicles for a lubrication problem that could potentially result in a loss of steering. The recall affects 1995-96 model-year Crown Victoria police cars and taxis, as well as Lincoln Town cars with limousine conversion or heavy-duty airport taxi packages.

Ford said that the pitman arm steering bearing was not fully lubricated during the manufacture of some of the cars. Without proper lubrication, the bearing can wear and possibly lead to a steering failure.

Ford reports that 2,787 of the 87,485 recalled cars are in Canada, and that about 78,000, are police cruisers. Ford is notifying owners by mail and is asking them to contact their dealer for free lubrication or replacement of any steering parts, as needed.

Ford spokeswoman Francine Romine-MacBride said that the company does not know of any accidents reported as a result of the problem.

In 1995, Ford recalled 62,800 1993-94 models to inspect and/or replace bolts that attach the steering system's upper control arms to brackets on the vehicle frame. That recall came several months after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigated potential safety defects in Crown Victoria police cars and found none. The investigation was prompted by a 1993 accident that killed a Paramus, N.J., policeman. A New Jersey prosecutor had alleged that 1992-93 Crown Victorias had power steering problems during high-speed maneuvering.

Michigan State Police idled about 200 1996 Crown Victoria cruisers after a failure in one car last July. Romine-MacBride said that problem was related to a weld, and did not warrant a recall. Ford has worked with the Michigan State Police and other police agencies that report similar problems. The company offers to inspect the cars and make any necessary repairs under warranty, she said.

Romine-MacBride also said the new recall is unrelated to a recent power-steering problem reported by the North Carolina Highway Patrol. In that case Ford did not determine there was a defect, but agreed to replace the cars' power-assist units. Power-assist regulates how much power is automatically applied to the steering.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel