Serving as the front-wheel drive replacement for the mid-size sedans of the Ford Fox platform, the DN5 chassis was produced in its initial form for the 1986 to the 1995 model years.

Developed as Ford transitioned its mid-size Ford and Mercury sedan ranges to front-wheel drive, the long-wheelbase FN9 variant of the platform was used by Lincoln; the 1988 Lincoln Continental was the first front-wheel drive vehicle ever sold by the division.

In the late 1990s, the DN5 chassis was gradually replaced through model revisions and retirements.

Retaining an identical powertrain configuration (and wheelbase), the V platform was developed specifically as a minivan.

Following a substantial revision of the FN9 chassis for 1995 (to accommodate the 4.6L DOHC V8 for front-wheel drive), Lincoln produced the front-wheel drive Continental through the 2002 model year until the withdrawal of the model line.