Ford Recalling 3.6 Million Vehicles
By KEN THOMAS, Associated Press Writer
1 hour ago

WASHINGTON - Ford Motor Co. said Friday it is recalling 3.6 million passenger cars, trucks, sport utility vehicles and vans to address concerns about a cruise control switch that has led to previous recalls based on reports of fires.

Ford said the recall covered more than a dozen vehicle models built from 1992-2007. The company said it was responding to concerns from owners about the safety of their cars and questions about the speed control deactivation switch in the vehicles that is powered at all times.

The Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker previously had recalled nearly 6 million vehicles beginning in January 2005 because of engine fires linked to the cruise control systems in trucks, SUVs and vans.

"Customers remain concerned about the long-term durability of the speed control system and about the safety of their vehicles," said Ford spokesman Dan Jarvis.

He said the automaker had received "a few reports of fires" in Ford Crown Victoria passenger cars prior to the recall. He did not have a precise number.

The recall involves the following vehicles: 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.

Also covered are the 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.

An additional 177,000 vehicles in Canada, Mexico and Europe are covered by the recall.

Jarvis said there have been no deaths, injuries or accidents associated with the recall.

It was Ford's sixth recall, involving a total of more than 10.4 million vehicles, conducted since 1999 because of problems with the speed control system, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The nation's largest single recall involved 7.9 million Ford vehicles in 1996 to replace an ignition switch.

Texas Instruments Inc. supplied the speed control switch in all of the vehicles covered under Friday's announcement, Ford said. A TI spokeswoman could not immediately comment.

Owners will begin receiving recall notices on Aug. 13. Jarvis said the parts for passenger cars would not be available until early October. In the meantime, owners can take their vehicle to a dealer to have their cruise control deactivated until the parts arrive. The parts are available for trucks, Jarvis said.

Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control electrical system or replace the deactivation switch if its found to be leaking.

Owners with questions about the recall can contact Ford at (888) 222-2751.

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hmmm and to think the ford factory in cleveland that just closed shop is blaming the consumers for not buying from them... I had an Expedition that had a recall 2 years ago... no wonder why more and more people are buying foreign!

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Yeah my mini van was in the tire recall last time have to check into seeing if it's involved with this too, Told DH my next vehicle wasnt coming from them and after his car problems he agreed his isnt either

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Our aging Explorer isn't in that list -- but it's already the replacement for a recalled vehicle. It's still running with a lot of care from us and a mechanic friend.

When we had to get a second car I argued with DH until he agreed with getting a Corolla. It uses a lot less gas, doesn't have a dodgy history, and we haven't regretted it.

I guess we've lucked out. I have a 1966 Ford Mustang, Ford truck, and Ford van that have all been outstanding vehicles. The truck has only failed to start one time (it's a 1991 model that we now just drive to haul stuff or drive a few times a week) in it's entire existence and has never had any major repairs, about 140,000 miles on it. The van is a newer model and has 70,000 plus miles on it and we haven't had one problem at all out of it either. Knock on wood of course.

Sorry to everyone that is affected by the recall. I know it's a major pain to have to take the car in, lose time from work, etc. My Dodge Grand Caravan was under recall a few years ago for the same thing--the cruise control starting fires. It really makes you doubt the safety of your vehicle when they have a huge recall like that. I tried to look at it then that at least they were owning up to the problem and fixing it. You'd think as long as they've been making cars they would have all of that figured out by now though.

Just wanted to edit that the Firestones on the Fords I owned totally had the major 'blow out' problems LONG before they started recalling the tires. I would never have another Firestone ever again, do they even manufacture them anymore after all that?!

Thanks...my Windstar and DH's Taurus aren't in the recall. I can't wait to get a new vehicle. We are so sick of all the problems we've had with these Ford's. I've had to have the transmission replaced twice on my 2000 Windstar. The second time we were on our way from DFW to Abilene (TX) to see DH's dying grandmother...imagine how cruddy it was we had to call and find out she had passed away and we needed someone to come pick us up.

peapie