This one almost slipped past us as we readied for the weekend, but Ford announced a big recall today, involving 3.6 million vehicles with a faulty cruise control switch that could potentially cause a fire. This is essentially a follow-up to the January recall involving 6 mil light trucks for basically the same concern. This newest recall affects about a dozen different Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models from model years 1992-2007. Ford is apparently undertaking this latest recall in response to complaints that the speed control deactivation switch is always on.
According to Ford spokesman, Dan Jarvis, "Customers remain concerned about the long-term durability of the speed control system and about the safety of their vehicles." Jarvis admitted that the company had received "a few reports of fires" in Crown Vics already, but no deaths, injuries or accidents from this problem.
The full list of vehicles being recalled is a long one: 1998-2002 Ford Ranger, 1992-1997 Lincoln Town Car, 1992-1997 Ford Crown Victoria, 1992-1997 Mercury Grand Marquis, 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII, 1993-1995 Taurus SHO, 1999-2001 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer, 2001-2002 Ford Explorer Sport, 2001-2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, 1992-1993 E150-350 vans, 1997-2002 E150-350 vans, 1993 Ford F-Series pickups, 1993 Ford Bronco, 1994 Mercury Capri, 2003-2004 Ford F-150 Lightning, and 1995-2002 Ford F53 motor homes.
Letters will also be sent to 177,000 owners of similar vehicles in Canada, Mexico and Europe.
In case you're counting, and we know some of you are, this is sixth recall for speed control system concerns by Ford since 1999. Altogether there have been 10.4 million vehicles involved.
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/08/ ... 86761.html
