Ford Expands Recall To Cover 1.2 Million More Vehicles

[IMPALAon20s]

Ford Expands Recall To Cover 1.2 Million More Vehicles

Ford recalling 1.2 million vehicles

Threat of engine fires noted in trucks, SUVs and vans


WASHINGTON - Ford Motor Co., already reeling from business setbacks, recalled 1.2 million trucks, sport utility vehicles and vans Thursday amid concerns about potential engine fires.

Ford said the recall was tied to the speed control deactivation switch system, which could corrode over time, overheat and ignite. It builds upon one of the largest recalls in U.S. history.

The recall was the latest setback for the No. 2 U.S. automaker, which said late Wednesday that its second-quarter loss more than doubled from what it previously reported because of higher-than-expected pension costs.
Ford also said that its luxury division will not be profitable this year. And Ford hired a turnaround specialist amid a report that the automaker is reviewing poorly performing units, including Jaguar, with an eye toward the possible sale of some operations.

Underscoring the woes in North America, Ford last month for the first time sold fewer vehicles than Toyota Motor Corp. in the United States.
The recall involves vehicles fueled by gasoline or natural gas and equipped with speed control, including the 1994-2002 F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 F-Super Duty trucks, 2000-2002 Excursion SUVs, 1994-1996 Econoline vans and 1996-2002 E-450 vans, and 1998 Explorers and Mountaineers. The recall does not involve similar vehicles fueled by diesel.

Last September, Ford recalled 3.8 million pickups and SUVs from the 1994-2002 model years, including the top-selling F-150 pickup, because of the concerns over engine fires. It was the fifth-largest auto industry recall in U.S. history.

In January 2005, the company recalled nearly 800,000 pickups and SUVs from the 2000 model year because of similar issues.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Thursday it closed a nearly two-year investigation into the cause of the fires. The agency has received 1,472 complaints connected to the problems, including 65 reports of fires.

NHTSA said there have been no confirmed deaths or injuries, but lawsuits have been filed over three deaths in Iowa, Georgia and Arkansas, allegedly connected to vehicle fires.

Ford said last year its review found that brake fluid could leak through the cruise control’s deactivation switch into the system’s electrical components, leading to corrosion. That could lead to a buildup of electrical current that could cause overheating and a fire.
Dealers installed a fused wiring harness to the cruise control deactivation switch to prevent the risk of fire if the switch leaked.
NHTSA spokesman Rae Tyson said that agency investigators

[silverbugeye]

They could have called this a 4 million truck recall a few years ago and been done with the bad stuff by now

[igor]

^^^it is actually a 3rd installment of 6million truck and van recall, and word has it more is coming ....

all for a damn ONE part...(not to say that I have no Idea how ford managed such a ridiculous design)

Igor

[poncho1982]

I've said it for years, you'll be surprised how deep this goes. Remember the ignition switch fires in the Aerostars?

[kool_zx3]

Originally Posted by igor

^^^it is actually a 3rd installment of 6million truck and van recall, and word has it more is coming ....

all for a damn ONE part...(not to say that I have no Idea how ford managed such a ridiculous design)

Igor

The switch was built and designed by texas instruments and the film which actally overtime gives way and lets brake fluid in and causes the fires is made by dupont.

[mr_bots]

Ouch! I'm not a big Ford fan, but I hate to see them getting kicked repeatedly when their down. But I guess they got themselves into this mess, hopefully they can pull themselves out.

[Relik86]

Wow... this sucks. I mean, GM is, and always has been my number one, but I've always had a lot of respect for Ford. I hate to see them go through all this.

[mikest00]

Bad press for one american automaker seems to reflect (in some peoples eyes) all american automakers. I've never really been a Ford fan, but I hope Ford can get it together quickly.

[chadbarb99]

Quality is Job 1

[asim]

Originally Posted by chadbarb99

Quality is Job 1

Not from what I heard from factory workers at Ford.

[igor]

Originally Posted by kool_zx3

The switch was built and designed by texas instruments and the film which actally overtime gives way and lets brake fluid in and causes the fires is made by dupont.

my point is .. the switch is hot at all times WHY!?!? and why is it not a simple mechanical / electric switch .. from what I understand this was some funky piece that just went astray ... I might be wrong.. but it seems like the idea by Honda to put an Oil filter right above the exhaust.

They should have caught it
Igor

[texasisbetter]

i actully know a couple thats expedition caught fire in the garage and burnt the house down because of this, they settled out of court with Ford, they were not home at the time, it was a total loss. I am wondering why my 1997 Explorer wasn't recalled? wouldn't that be something if it ever caught on fire, at least I'd get a new car out of the deal

[MN12Fan]

Originally Posted by asim

Not from what I heard from factory workers at Ford.

Pobody's nerfect.

[IMPALAon20s]

although this doesn't effect current model vehicles.. it is bad press.. and could shift truck buyers over to GM's new trucks coming out.

[Havasavana]

I'd think something big is going to happen at Ford within the next few months; management-wise. It seems the wheels are coming off and surely the pressure at the top is getting unbearable. I understood one of the reasons that Fields was promoted was his track record, including his time at PAG. Now with PAG under review, with good reason, and the way forward clearly not cutting it, something has to change, again. With the Ford family arbitrarily controlling everything, why would anybody with any credibility want the top job? Bill Ford has to want out of the barrel and they have no one else on board who could be plugged in. Something has to give along the lines of the Fords giving up control. But what then?