I own a 1996 Lincoln towncar VIN [xxx]. on Saturday 7/9/2011 my brake lines broke and my brakes failed in rockwood, tn. Fortunately I was able to safely drive the car to a safe place where I had a friend patch the lines with rubber hoses and was able to again use my brakes. I discovered that Ford has issued a recall for certain towncars #79493 4/7/1998 for brake line replacement. I went to 2 Ford dealerships and was told this recall didn't cover my car. I feel this recall should cover my car because the same defects on the towncars covered are present on my towncar and caused the brake lines to break. I am asking Ford to authorize me to receive the same protection afforded the owners of the covered towncars and cover my repairs at one of my local Ford dealerships. I called the customer relations center on 7/12/2011 and was given a case number [xxx]. I called again on 7/13/2011 and was told the recall didn't cover my car. I am only asking for the same treatment afforded many other covered 1996 towncar owners under this recall! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Cookeville, TN, USA

Brake pedal to the floor while driving in mall parking lot. Brake fluid flowing from leak in rusted brake line under body of vehicle at location where attached to frame. Found metal brake lines rusty from distribution block in engine compartment to all 4 wheels. Fortunately this happened at slow speed, what would have happened if this vehicle failed to stop at a busy intersection?vehicle currently awaiting parts to repair. Old parts will be available for inspection. Updated 10/10/07

- Clarksburg, NJ, USA

Total sudden brake failure on Lincoln Town car due to rust/corrosion of brake lines. Own two other Lincoln Town cars whose brake lines are also severely rusted. Fortunately, failure occurred on my driveway and wreck was avoided. Personally replaced worst sections of rear brake lines via bypassing factory installed lines leaving original lines in place.

- Kingsport, TN, USA

Brake line failure due to corroded brake line.

- Maysville, MO, USA

On four separate occasions the consumer experienced a loss of braking due to four different sections of the metal brake line due to exterior corrosion. Each time the vehicle was taken to a repair shop to have the brake line replaced. The dealer was notified. The vehicle struck the rear of a utility truck due to the brake failure. The air bag did not deploy. The first failure occurred in 2001. The brake pedal had gone to the floor upon application with no braking effect on either axle. Each failure occurred by ruptured steel brake line due to external rust.

- Speedwell, VA, USA

A cell phone using driver cut into my lane and I had to hit the brakes hard. There was a sudden loss of braking power but I was able to steer around the SUV. My rear steel brake line failed in the area located just in front of the left rear tire. These brake lines are a problem! last summer the same thing happened to my wife's 95 Mercury Grand Marquis. I will have to replace all steel lines as all are rusted. When will fomoco do something about these failures" how many people must get hurt or die"

- Kinnelon, NJ, USA

Vehicle lost brake power while driving 5 to 10 mph. The brake line was corroded. Dealer recommended replacing all lines.

- Chestnut Hill, MA, USA

The vehicle experienced sudden brake failure due to significant corrosion of the brake line across the rear. The consumer still has the corroded line in his possession.

- Ocean City, NJ, USA

Ltr fm edward F. harrigan (NJ) asking NHTSA to look into a brake line corrosion problem on his 1996 Lincoln Town car. Refer to recall #02V101000. The vehicle experienced sudden brake failure while entering a major interstate. Brake fluid was found over the rear housing as a result of pin holes that were in the crossover line from the left to the right wheel cylinders. The brake pedal had gone to the floor very suddenly. (the manufacturer may use a low-carbon steel which was cheaper or alloy or coatings which were readily available but are corrosion proof.)

- Ocean City, NJ, USA

1996 Lincoln Town car brake line failure. The consumer found braking fluid all over the rear housing as a result of pin holes that were in the crossover line from the left to the right wheel cylinders. The brake pedal had gone to the floor very suddenly. Refer to #02V1001000. Referenced in RQ03-004

- Ocean City, NJ, USA

The brake lines rusted trhough, causing brake failure. Dealer has inspected and repaired vehicle. Referenced in RQ03-004

- Long Neck, DE, USA