NHTSA recall 97V-019 (97V019000)

engine and engine cooling recall reported February 25, 1997 - about 75,200 vehicles affected.

NHTSA campaign number: 97V019000
Also written as: 97V-019
Manufacturer number: 97S66
Reported: February 25, 1997
Vehicles affected: ~75,200
Component: engine and engine cooling

What is being recalled

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.

Why it is dangerous

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.

The fix (free at any franchised dealer)

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.

Recall repairs are always free, regardless of vehicle age or where you bought the car. Quote the campaign number 97V-019 when calling a dealer.

Affected 5 models

Ford Taurus - 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995

Ford Tempo - 1992, 1993, 1994

Lincoln Continental - 1992, 1993, 1994

Mercury Sable - 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995

Mercury Topaz - 1992, 1993, 1994

Each year links to that car's full history: every recall, owner complaints and common problems.

Is YOUR car included? A campaign rarely covers every single vehicle of a model year. Check your exact car by its 17-character VIN with the free VIN decoder and recall check.

Source: NHTSA recall campaign data (public domain), refreshed weekly. See also the latest recall campaigns.