Accident Reconstruction Network > News > September 2005 > 09/07/05

Accident Reconstruction News Article

Ford recalls 3.8 million vehicles

Ford Motor Co. is voluntarily recalling about 3.8 million pickup trucks and sports utility vehicles -- including the F-150, which the company builds at its Claycomo plant -- because of a speed control switch that could overheat and cause a fire under the hood.

Ford is recalling F-150 pickup trucks from model years 1994 to 2002; Expeditions from 1997 to 2002; Lincoln Navigators from 1998 to 2002; and Broncos from 1994 to 1996. The recalled vehicles were equipped with factory-installed speed control, the company said in a written release Wednesday.

A Ford spokeswoman couldn't be reached for comment.

Ford said in the release that it conducted an investigation and found that brake fluid may leak through the speed-control deactivation switch into the speed control system's electrical components, potentially corroding them. In rare cases, the company said, corrosion in the electrical components can lead to increasing resistance and higher electrical current flow through the system. Together, these conditions could lead to overheating and possibly fire at the switch.

To correct the problem, Ford said it will install a fused wiring harness between the speed-control deactivation switch and the speed-control mechanism on the affected vehicles.

Ford said it will immediately notify owners of the affected vehicles by mail.

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