The Examiner Newsletter R. J. Hill Consulting November 2009
Ford Expands Recall
Earlier this month, the Ford Motor Company recalled 4,500,000 vehicles as a result of a faulty speed control deactivation switch. This recall is a continuation of a campaign that originally recalled 9,600,000 vehicles for the same problem. The switch, manufactured by Texas Instruments Inc., can leak, corrode, and overheat. The overheating can then result in smoke and fire. The switch is mounted on the end of the master cylinder and is deactivated whenever the brake pedal is depressed. Regardless of the switch position, the circuit to the switch is always live. For this reason, if the seal between the switch and the brake fluid fails, brake fluid will come in contact with the electrical terminals resulting in corrosion and overheating which could then lead to a fire.
This most recent recall pertains to the following vehicles: 1992-2003 Econoline, 2000-2003 Excursion, 1995-2002 Explorer, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 F Super Duty Trucks, 1994 F53 motorhomes, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 Ranger trucks, 1995-2003 Windstar, 1995-2002 Merccury/Mountaineer.
The original recall applied the following vehicles: 1997-2002 Expedition, 1998-2002 Navigator, 2002-2003 Blackwood, 1993-1996 Bronco, 2000-2003 Excursion (built before 11/4/02), 1992-2003 Econoline E 150/250/350, 1996-2003 Econoline E450, 2002-2003 Econoline E 550, 1998-2002 Ranger, 1998-2001 Explorer//Mountaineer, 2001-2002 Explorer Sport (2 door) and Sport Trac, 2003-2004 F 150 Lightning, 1993-2003 F series (under 8500 lbs. GVW), 1993-2003 F series (over 8500 lbs. GVW, all plants except Cuautitlan), 1994-2003 F series (over 8500 lbs. GVW, Cuautitlan plant built prior to 1/7/03), 1995-2003 F53 Motorhome, 1992-1998 Towncar, 1992-1998 Crown Victoria, 1992-1998 Grand Marquis, 1993-1998 Mark VIII, 1993-1995 Taurus SHO (automatic transmission), and 1994 Capri.
Diesel equipped vehicles are excluded from the recall. For further information, please visit Ford's website at www.ford.com and search for "speed control deactivation switch". Information can also be obtained from NHTSA's website at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls .
Owner notification is scheduled to begin on October 26, 2009.
