Electrical system: ignition (Ford, Mercury and Lincoln)
Vehicle recall 96V-071. NHTSA received FORD MOTOR COMPANY’s report on Apr 25, 1996.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. NHTSA’s own record is on nhtsa.gov.
The short answer
NHTSA received FORD MOTOR COMPANY’s report on Apr 25, 1996. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 28, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Electrical system: ignition.
What should you do?
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL; IGNITION SWITCH. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 7,900,000 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- Ford Mustangand 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993, before the model years listed here
- Ford Tempoand 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993, before the model years listed here
- Ford F250and 1988, 1989 and 1990, before the model years listed here
- Mercury Topazand 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993, before the model years listed here
- Ford Escortand 1988, 1989 and 1990, before the model years listed here
- Lincoln Town Carand 1988 and 1989, before the model years listed here
- Ford Broncoand 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991, before the model years listed here
- Ford Aerostarand 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991, before the model years listed here
- Ford F-350and 1991, before the model years listed here
- Ford F-250and 1991, before the model years listed here
- Mercury Grand Marquisand 1988 and 1989, before the model years listed here
- Ford F350and 1988, 1989 and 1990, before the model years listed here
- Mercury Cougarand 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993, before the model years listed here
- Ford Thunderbirdand 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993, before the model years listed here
- Ford F150and 1988, 1989 and 1990, before the model years listed here
- Ford F-150and 1991, before the model years listed here
- Ford Crown Victoriaand 1988 and 1989, before the model years listed here
- Ford EXPand 1988, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by FORD MOTOR COMPANY.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 28, 2026 and checked Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 28, 2026.