Dealer Letter

June, 1997

To:
All Ford and Lincoln/Mercury Dealers

Subject:
Safety Recall 97S75 - Certain 1997 and 1998 Windstar and 1997 Taurus/Sable Equipped with AX4S Automatic Transaxle - Low/Intermediate Servo Cover Replacement

Affected Vehicles
1997 and 1998 Windstar with 3.0L and 3.8L engines and 1997 Taurus/Sable with 3.0L-2V engine equipped with AX4S Automatic Transaxle, built from 11/24/96 through 3/1/97.

Reasons For Recall
Certain Low/Intermediate servo covers may fracture at the mounting bolt boss and then be "pushed" off the transaxle by the servo return spring and hydraulic pressure. This will cause loss of transmission fluid, and the transmission will eventually disengage and coast to a stop. In some cases, the fluid could contact the hot catalyst surface, which could potentially result in a fire.

Service Action
Determine whether the servo cover should be replaced by comparing the transaxle serial number (located on the transaxle ID tag) to the application table in Attachment III. If the table indicates the repair is necessary, replace the Low/Intermediate servo covers with a new part. The Low/Intermediate servo cover is connected to the transaxle case by three bolts and can be replaced without removing the transaxle.

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