NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
57 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Nov 30, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH ALMOST EVERYTHING POSSIBLE ON THIS CAR. THE HEAD GASKET FAILED WITH NO WARNING, NO OVERHEATING - CAR WOULD NOT START, HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER WHO INFORMED THAT HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN. HEAD GASKET FAILED AGAIN 7 MONTHS LATER. HAD TROUBLE WITH SURGING, RACING ENGINE FROM ABOUT 25000 MILES, DEALER COULD NOT F…
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I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH ALMOST EVERYTHING POSSIBLE ON THIS CAR. THE HEAD GASKET FAILED WITH NO WARNING, NO OVERHEATING - CAR WOULD NOT START, HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER WHO INFORMED THAT HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN. HEAD GASKET FAILED AGAIN 7 MONTHS LATER. HAD TROUBLE WITH SURGING, RACING ENGINE FROM ABOUT 25000 MILES, DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. FINALLY, REPLACED SPEED SENSOR WHEN OUT OF WARRANTY, AND IT FAILED AGAIN 4 MONTHS LATER. HAVE HAD TIE RODS AND BALL JOINTS REPLACED, MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED TWICE, BRAKE PROBLEMS STARTING AT 24,000 MILES. THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR CAME APART WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. THE COOLING FAN IS NOW STICKING, WHICH STARTED AT 65000 MILES.MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THIS PART IS NOTORIOUS FOR GOING BAD, AND THAT SO MANY HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACE, THE PRICE OF THE PART HAS GONE DOWN. I FEEL THE 1993 3.8L TAURUS MODELS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL, AS WELL AS THE COOLING FANS, AND I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. THIS CAR HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE, HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED, AND SHOULD NOT BE COSTING ME SO MUCH TO DRIVE. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT, DUE TO THESE PROBLEMS, AS WELL AS PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THE DEALERSHIP. THANK YOU FOR ANY ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #755120
Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2001
Vehicle Speed Control
CAR WAS IN PARK, BUT STILL RUNNING. THEN, IT ALL OF A SUDDEN TOOK OFF . *AK
NHTSA ODI #878685
Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL, VEHICLE ENDED UP GOING OFF THE ROAD AND INTO THE BUSHES WHERE THERE WERE LOGS ON THE GROUND, THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #558498
Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2000
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WILL HESITATE LIKE IT WANTS TO SWITCH GEARS. ALSO, SURGES FORWARD. TOOK TO VEHICLE PERSONAL MECHANIC. HE CLEANED CONNECTIONS, AND VEHICLE RAN FINE FOR YEAR. CURRENTLY, PROBLEM IS HAPPENING AGAIN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #875459
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control
DURING IDLE SITUATIONS (IN ANY GEAR), ENGINE WILL IDLE VERY HIGH AND SOMETIME ACCELERATE UNCONTROLLABLY. GUNNING ENGINE DOES NOT EFFECT IT. TURNING CAR OFF AND RESTARTING USUALLY RESETS IDLE TO NORMAL LEVEL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #734956
Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2000
Air BagsElectrical SystemSteering
IGNITION IS INOPERATIVE. KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION & DOESN'T LINE UP CORRECTLY. THIS MAKES IT VERY EASY TO STEALTHE VEHICLE. VEHICLE'S AIR BAG & HORN ARE NOT WORKING RELATING TO THIS. DEALER HAS NEVER TRIED TO FIND A REMEDY FOR THE PROBLEM.*AK CRUISE CONTROL FAILED AS WELL. STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. *YH
NHTSA ODI #872889
Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN THROTTLE LOCKED OPEN I JUMPED A CURB WITH MY FOOT APPLIED TO BRAKE AND CUTTING OFF IGNITION I GOT STOPPED ABOUT 3 FEET FROM A BUILDING
NHTSA ODI #728614
Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control
THIS HAS BEEN A VERY TROUBLE-PRONE CAR. CRUISE CONTROL WOULD STICK ON ACCELERATE AND COULD NOT BE DISABLED WITHOUT TURNING OF THE IGNITION. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHER COSLTY REPAIRS ABOUT WHICH WE COMPLAINED TO FORD WITH NO REMEDIES OFFERED. THIS COMPLAINT REGARDS THE HEAD GASKETS ON OUR 1993 FORD TAURUS WHICH FAILED AT 93600 M…
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THIS HAS BEEN A VERY TROUBLE-PRONE CAR. CRUISE CONTROL WOULD STICK ON ACCELERATE AND COULD NOT BE DISABLED WITHOUT TURNING OF THE IGNITION. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHER COSLTY REPAIRS ABOUT WHICH WE COMPLAINED TO FORD WITH NO REMEDIES OFFERED. THIS COMPLAINT REGARDS THE HEAD GASKETS ON OUR 1993 FORD TAURUS WHICH FAILED AT 93600 MILES. IT COST $1319 TO REPAIR (DATE: 3-16-98). THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US THAT THIS IS COMMON IN THE 3.8L EINGINE. WE KNOW THAT FORD HAS PARTIALLY ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND HAS EXTENDED WARRANTIES BACK TO THE 1994 MODELS, BUT THE PROBLEM EXTENDS TO EARLIER MODEL YEARS.
NHTSA ODI #724595
Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE KEEPS STALLING WHEN TRYING TO START UP. CAR RUMBLES WHEN IT FINALLY DOES START. MAKES A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. AFTER I START UP AFTER A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT, I BARELY TOUCH THE GAS AND ITS OFF IN A FLASH. WHEN I AM ON THE FREEWAY AND TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELARATOR, IT CONTINUES AT THE SAME SPEED…
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VEHICLE KEEPS STALLING WHEN TRYING TO START UP. CAR RUMBLES WHEN IT FINALLY DOES START. MAKES A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. AFTER I START UP AFTER A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT, I BARELY TOUCH THE GAS AND ITS OFF IN A FLASH. WHEN I AM ON THE FREEWAY AND TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELARATOR, IT CONTINUES AT THE SAME SPEED FOR 5 MINUTES. I CHECKED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND IT WAS OFF. THE ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #723788
Mileage unknown · May 29, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
IN JANUARY 1998 I NOTICED WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS STAYING IN THE RED ZONE NEAR THE H. I TOOK IT INTO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THE NEXT MORNING AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN. THE COST OF THIS REPAIR WAS AROUND $1100. ON SATURDAY 05/27/2000 WHEN DRIVING AWAY FROM A PARKING LOT I…
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IN JANUARY 1998 I NOTICED WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS STAYING IN THE RED ZONE NEAR THE H. I TOOK IT INTO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THE NEXT MORNING AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN. THE COST OF THIS REPAIR WAS AROUND $1100. ON SATURDAY 05/27/2000 WHEN DRIVING AWAY FROM A PARKING LOT I NOTICED THE CAR WAS IDLING VERY ROUGH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS PEGGED AT THE H, AND SMOKE WAS COMING OUT THE TAILPIPE. I PARKED THE CAR AND HAD IT TOWED TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP NEAR MY HOME. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN AGAIN. THE REPAIR BILL IS POSSIBLY GOING TO BE BETWEEN $1100 - $1500. BOTH INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 1993 TAURUS 3.8 V6 ENGINE. I HAVE ALSO BROWSED YOUR COMPLAINTS SECTION OF YOUR WEBSITE AND FOUND MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS LIKE MINE. I WILL BE CONTACTING THE NATIONAL FORD OFFICE IN THE MORNING TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY RECOURSE THEY CAN OFFER. IF THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM I FEEL LIKE FORD SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND/OR REIMBURSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY SPENT MONEY ON REPAIRING THIS PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #723320
Official recalls
6Dec 16, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGNIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT CAN EXPERIENCE STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IF SUBJECTED TO LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALTS. THIS CAN RESULT IN FRACTURE AND LOSS OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT ATTACHMENT. DETACHMENT OF THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ALLOWS THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
May 6, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF NEW YORK, MICHIGAN, OHIO, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, PENNSYLVANIA, MASSACHUSETTS, INDIANA, NEW JERSEY, MAINE, CONNECTICUT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, MINNESOTA, IOWA, MISSOURI, KENTUCKY, MARYLAND, DELAWARE, AND WEST VIRGINIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS CAN FRACTURE AS A RESULT OF CORROSION IN COMBINATION WITH SMALL CRACKS IN THE SPRINGS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE FRONT TIRE COULD DEFLATE DUE TO A BROKEN FRONT COIL SPRING CONTACTING THE TIRE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING CATCHER BRACKET WHICH WILL PREVENT A FRACTURED SPRING FROM CONTACTING A TIRE.
Jan 21, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHTS CAN FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING. THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS CAN GO OUT FOR BRIEF INTERVALS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION CAN AFFECT A DRIVER'S ABILITY TO NAVIGATE THE ROADWAY AND REDUCE THE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH THAT INCORPORATES A CRICUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR AND WIRING, IF NEEDED.
Feb 26, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L ENGINES AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WATER CAN ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT. IF ENOUGH WATER ACCUMULATES, IT COULD FREEZE WITHIN A LOW AREA OF THE CABLE ROUTING WHEN EXPOSED TO A LONG TERM COLD SOAK AT TEMPERATURES AT LEAST SEVERAL DEGREES BELOW FREEZING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DRIVER CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED USING THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD BE DIMINISHED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.
Feb 25, 1997
THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 1992-1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES; 1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 2.3L ENGINES; 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8L ENGINES; 1994-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.0L ENGINES AND 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAN BECOME BLOCKED OR FROZEN WITH SNOW. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT ROTATE AND COULD OVERHEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SMOKE OR FLAMES FROM THE FAN AND/OR SHROUD, THE FAN ELECTRICAL WIRING, OR THE FAN MOTOR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.
Jan 4, 1993
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM CONTROLLERS DESIGNED FOR REAR WHEEL DRIVE CARS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THESE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE CARS..
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING ABILITY AND POSSIBLEVEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL DRIVE ABS CONTROLLER WITH A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE ABS CONTROLLER.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
13RQ99017 · Front Suspension Spring
Opened Aug 9, 1999 · Closed Feb 16, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
EA99023 · Windshield Wiper
Opened Aug 6, 1999 · Closed Jun 12, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
ODI has received 50 additional complaiints on MY 1993 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable vehicles alleging malfunction of the windshield wiper system including; intermittent or complete stoppage of wiper sweeping; inadequate sweep speed; and other general complaints of poor performace.In some cases, the owner alleges havingto leave the roadway or roll down the window and manually restart the sweeping motion of the wiper arms.Other complaints allege that the wiper sweeps too slowly at the maximum speed setting resulting in inadequate vision during heavy precipition.Some complaints allge repeated wiper system malfunctions despirt having their vehicles serviced at Ford dealerships of replacement of the multi-function switch and/or wiper motor.Ford provided its response to an Information Request Letter indicating that the same wiper motor is used on the MY 1987-1993 Taurus and Sable; however, warranty and complaint data show that the MY 1993 is over represented and may warrant particular attention.An Engineering Ananlysis is necessary to determine if a potential safety defect exists.
PE99015 · Windshield Wiper
Opened Feb 24, 1999 · Closed Aug 6, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
ALLEGED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL WITHOUT WARNING
EA97026 · Front Suspension Coil Spring Failure
Opened Nov 26, 1997 · Closed May 13, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
ALLEGED THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS MAY FRACTURE, PERMITTING SUSPENSION COLLAPSE, POSSIBLE TIRE PUNCTURE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR COMPROMISE TO VEHICLE SAFETY
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension
ALLEGED THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS MAY FRACTURE, PERMITTING SUSPENSION COLLAPSE, POSSIBLE TIRE PUNCTURE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR COMPROMISE TO VEHICLE SAFETY
Suspension
ALLEGED THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS MAY FRACTURE, PERMITTING SUSPENSION COLLAPSE, POSSIBLE TIRE PUNCTURE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR COMPROMISE TO VEHICLE SAFETY
PE97035 · Front Suspension Coil Spring Failure
Opened Jul 22, 1997 · Closed Nov 26, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
Front Suspension coil springs may fracture with the vehicle in motion, posing a potential compromise to the driver's ability to control the vehicle.
EA96024 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires
Opened Sep 30, 1996 · Closed Apr 15, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
EA96019 · Headlight Failure
Opened Jul 31, 1996 · Closed Jan 26, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
EXCESSIVE HEAT IN AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED CIRCUIT BREAKER WITHIN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CAUSED THAT CIRCUIT BREAKER TO OPEN FOR TIME PERIODS OF VARYING LENGTH TO COOL OFF.OPENING OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER IN THIS MANNER INTERRUPTS ELECTRIC CURRENT FLOW TO THE HEADLIGHTS, SHUTTING THEM OFF.HEADLIGHT OUTAGES HAVE RANGER FROM BRIEF FLICKERS (LESS THAN ONE SECOND) TO GREATER THAN 20 SECONDS.OVER TIME, THE OUTAGES GROW IN LENGTH AND DURATION BECAUSE OF HEAT-INDUCED DETERIORATION OF THE SWITCH AND ASSOCIATED WIRING.RECALL 98V-009 WILL APPLY TO APPROXIMATELY 506,000 TAURUS, SABLE, MARK VIII, AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM 1-DEC.-92 THROUGH 30-SEP-93 AT THE ATLANTA, CHICAGO,AND WIXOM ASSEMBLY PLANTS.87% OF MY 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE AND 97% OF MY 1993-1995 MARK VIII WARRANTY REPAIRS (HEADLIGHT SWITCH REPLACEMENT) INVOLVED VEHICLES BUILT DURING THE DEC. 92 - OCT. 93 BUILD RANGE.
PE96033 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires
Opened May 2, 1996 · Closed Sep 30, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
IN DECEMBER 1995, FORD RECALLED 119,313 VEHICLES IN CANADA TO REMEDY THE SUBJECT CONDITION IN CERTAIN 1992-95 TAURUS, SABLE, TEMPO, TOPAZ AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES.FORD IS AWARE OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS OCCURRING IN NORTHERN REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES, BUT MAINTAINS THAT THE FREQUENCIES DO NOT WARRANT A FINDING OF AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.
PE96018 · Headlights Failure
Opened Mar 5, 1996 · Closed Jul 31, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights
There is no summary currently available
DP95004 · Alleged Defective Tie Rods
Opened Aug 8, 1995 · Closed Aug 30, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS
EA94008 · Broken Tie Rods
Opened Feb 16, 1994 · Closed Feb 27, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
PE93100 · Polycast Road Wheel Cracks
Opened Dec 2, 1993 · Closed Jun 30, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
PE93058 · Broken Tie Rods
Opened Jun 15, 1993 · Closed Feb 16, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
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