Parking brake failure

An NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation into Lincoln vehicles. Closed 13 June 1989.

Investigation
PE89039
Type
Preliminary Evaluation
Opened
9 February 1989
Closed
13 June 1989

What NHTSA investigated

Summary:the spring under investigation causes the latching pawl toengage the teeth of the ratchet whereby the parking brake is retainedin the applied position.if the spring fails, the pedal follows theoperators foot back up into the released position.ford states that it issued the bulletin in order to inform dealersthat the spring was newly available as a separate part.previously,it was necessary to replace the entire parking brake control assembly inorder to obtain a new spring.since the failure of the spring will not cause the parking brake tosuddenly and unexpectedly release and since there is adequate warningof the failure, no safety defect trend was found.===

Vehicles covered

MakeModelModel years
FordGRANADA1982–1984
FordLTD1982–1984
FordTHUNDERBIRD1980–1984
LincolnCONTINENTAL1982–1984
LincolnMARK VI1980–1983
LincolnMARK VII1984
LincolnTOWN CAR1980–1984
MercuryCOUGAR1980–1984
MercuryMARQUIS1982–1984
MercuryMONARCH1982–1984

Source

From NHTSA’s investigation file, rebuilt daily. To report a problem with your own vehicle, go to nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. All open investigations.