Ford Recalls 3.6 Million Vehicles
Updated August 2007: The Ford Motor Company has announced that it is recalling 3.6 million cars, trucks, SUVs and vans because of concerns about the cruise control switch which is powered at all times. The switch has led to previous recalls because there were reports of fires. The switch, which deactivates the speed control, can overheat, smoke, or burn, according to the National Highway Safety Administration.
The company is recalling over a dozen different kinds of vehicles built from 1992-2004. The company had recalled almost 6 million vehicles in January 2005 because of fires in the engine due to the cruise control switch. Ford says they are recalling the 3.6 million vehicles because they are responding to customers concerns for their safety.
A spokesman for Ford stated that there have been “a few reports of fires” in Ford Crown Victoria passenger cars. As of now, there have been no accidents or injuries associated with the recall.
The vehicles included in the recall are as follows:
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
1999-2001 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
1995-2002 Ford F53
Also, additional vehicles in Canada, Mexico, and Europe were recalled. Ford has indicated that owners of these recalled vehicles will be receiving recall notices on August 13. The parts required to fix the defect are not available for passenger cars until October; parts are available for trucks. Owners who cannot immediately get the cruise control switch fixed can take their vehicle to a dealer and have the cruise control deactivated until the parts are available.