Personal Injury Law

Ford Owners issued A Warning By NHTSA Regarding Faulty Systems That Pose Fire Risk

By LaBovick Law

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a warning to FORD owners regarding faulty cruise control systems. Ford owners are encouraged to visit a Ford dealer for repairs of affected vehicles. If not properly repaired, the Ford vehicles can catch fire, even if they are turned off, parked and unattended.

Since more of the affected vehicles enter the used car market, the NHTSA is concerned that most used car buyers don't know whether the used vehicles they purchased were ever returned to dealers for the needed repairs. NHTSA is urging consumers who may have bought these recalled vehicles on the used-car market to make sure the repairs were actually completed.

Owners of the affected vehicles should immediately visit a Ford web site and enter their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to see if their particular Ford vehicle has been recalled for the problem and if the repair has been made.

Click on the following link to visit the Ford web site to look up the Ford Recall information.  The vehicle's VIN can be found on the dashboard and on the certification label located on the door latch post next to the driver's seating position.

Approximately 17.5 million Ford vehicles have been involved in the recalls since 1999 because of a faulty cruise control disconnect switch which can overheat and burn - potentially causing a vehicle fire long after the engine has been turned off. NHTSA noted that Ford Motor Company has been diligent in contacting owners of the affected vehicles, including sending re-notification letters to owners in many cases. Despite the recalls and public messages, there are millions of vehicles still on the road with the dangerous defect.

Any buyer of a new or used vehicle, regardless of make or model, can check with http://www.safercar.gov to see whether any recalls apply to the vehicle they are interested in.

Please see the list below of Ford vehicles that have been recalled for the defective cruise control system:

?1992-2003 E Series (all including Econolines)
?1992-1998 Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis/Town Car
?1993-2003 F Series (150-550)
?2003-2004 Lightning
?2002-2003 Blackwood
?1993-1997 F Series (>8500GVW Diesel)
?1999-2003 F Series (>8500GVW Diesel)
?1993-1995 Taurus SHO
?1993-1998 Mark VIII
?1993-1996 Bronco
?1994-2002 F53 Motorhome
?1994- Mercury Capri
?1995-2003 Ranger
?1995-2002 Explorer
?2001-2002 Explorer Sport & Sport Trac
?1995-2002 Mountaineer
?1995-2003 Windstar
?1997-2002 Expedition
?1998-2002 Navigator
?1998-2002 Mazda-B-Series
?2000-2003 Excursion
 

Full post as published by LaBovick Injury Law Blog on October 26, 2010 (boomark / email).