WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT THE SPARE TIRE T125/80R16, DOT FNTA2XHX150 LOCATED IN TRUNK OF 1990, LINCOLN, TOWN CAR EXPLODED. THIS EXPLOSION OF SPARE TIRE RESULTED IN TRUNK OF VEHICLE, RAISING 1 1/2 INCHES ABOVE NORMAL LEVEL AND A CHUNK OF GLASS AND REAR VIEW MIRROR, TO FALL FROM FRONT WINDSHIELD. *AK CONSUMER WAS TOL…
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WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT THE SPARE TIRE T125/80R16, DOT FNTA2XHX150 LOCATED IN TRUNK OF 1990, LINCOLN, TOWN CAR EXPLODED. THIS EXPLOSION OF SPARE TIRE RESULTED IN TRUNK OF VEHICLE, RAISING 1 1/2 INCHES ABOVE NORMAL LEVEL AND A CHUNK OF GLASS AND REAR VIEW MIRROR, TO FALL FROM FRONT WINDSHIELD. *AK CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY A MICHELIN REPRESENTATIVE THAT AGE AND TEMPERATURE WOULD CAUSE A SPARE TIRE TO FAIL, THAT THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED PERIODICALLY, ONE PERSON WAS INJURED DUE TO FAILURE. *SLC
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1996-1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, NATURAL GAS, AND 1996-1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT WERE PRODUCED WITH A LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CONTAINING A ONE PIECE BEARING; AND 1990-1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, AND NGV VEHICLES AND 1990-1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN SERVICED WITH EITHER A BALL JOINT CONTAINING THE ONE-PIECE BEARING OR A FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM CONTAINING A BALL JOINT WITH A ONE-PIECE BEARING. THE ONE-PIECE BEARING WITHIN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN WEAKEN SLOWLY DURING USE AND EVENTUALLY CRACK. THIS COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE BALL AND CAP OF THE JOINT, ALLOWING THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP TO THE GROUND.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, REDUCED STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS (2).
CORROSION OF THE HOOD LATCH STRIKER PLATE CAUSES DETACHMENT OF THE PLATE FROM THE HOOD ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN AN UNEXPECTED OPENING OF THE HOOD WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN REDUCE THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD INCREASING THE POTENTIAL OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HOOD INNER PANEL REINFORCEMENT AND A NEW, GALVANIZED HOOD LATCH STRIKER PLATE.
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