Ford Fires Spark NHTSA Warning Over Recalled Fords
February 29th, 2008 amy
Ford engine fires have sparked the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to issue warnings to vehicle owners still driving recalled Fords. After receiving approximately 60 complaints of engine fires in Fords since August 2007, the NHTSA yesterday issued a warning letter to approximately 4.6 million owners of recalled Ford vehicles to get their cruise control switch systems disconnected.
Since 1999, there have been about 9.6 million Ford recalls, and only 5 million or so of these vehicles have been repaired. Because the cruise control switch systems in these Fords poses such a serious fire hazard, the NHTSA has finally stepped in to try to get more of these dangers off the road and in for repair.
“We absolutely want everybody to come in as soon as they can because we can eliminate the risk of fire for anyone with a vehicle in this recall,” Ford Motor Co. spokesman Wes Sherwood told the Associated Press. Immediately following this statement, he said the company would have an “ample supply” of the replacement parts for Ford trucks by June. Guess owners of recalled trucks should stay parked until summer?
Meanwhile, more than 100 people nationwide have already filed Ford lawsuits over fires linked to the defective control deactivation switches. Three deaths (in Iowa, Georgia and Arkansas) have already been attributed to Ford fires. Many Ford fire victims assert that the fires occurred after their vehicles were turned off.
According to Ford’s website, the following trucks and cars are subject to the latest Ford recall:
Trucks:
1997-2002 Expedition
1998-2002 Navigator
2002-2003 Blackwood
1993-1996 Bronco
2000-2003 Excursion (built prior to 11/4/02)
1992-2003 Econoline E-150/250/350
1996-2003 Econoline E450
2002-2003 Econoline E550
1998-2002 Ranger
1998-2001 Explorer/Mountaineer
2001-2002 Explorer Sport (2 door) & Sport Trac
2003-2004 F-150 Lightning
1993-2003 F-Series (Under 8500 lb. GVW)
1993-2003 F-Series (over 8500 lb. GVW) – all plants except Cuautitlan
1994-2003 F-Series (over 8500 lb. GVW) – Cuautitlan built only prior to 1/7/03
1995-2002 F-53 Motorhome
Cars:
1992-1998 Town Car
1992-1998 Crown Victoria
1992-1998 Grand Marquis
1993-1998 Mark VIII
1993-1995 Taurus SHO (automatic transmission)
1994 Capri
*equipped with speed control. Diesel engine equipped vehicles are excluded from recall.
