Ford Recalls 4.5 Million Vehicles Due to Faulty Cruise Control Switch

Ford is recalling another 4.5 million cars regarding a faulty cruise control and possible fire hazard. Ford had previously recalled 10 million vehicles for this same problem. This recall includes 1.1 million Ford Windstar minivans.

Ford has had problems with this switch for the past ten years. This latest voluntary recall includes some older model Ford trucks, vans, and SUVs.

The latest vehicles included in Ford's voluntary recall are:

1995-2003 Ford Windstars

2000-2003 Ford Excursions (diesel)

1993-1997 and 1999-2003 Ford F-Super Duty (diesel)

1992-2003 Ford Econoline Vans

1995-2003 Ford Explorers and Mercury Mountaineers

1995-1997 and 2001-2003 Ford Rangers

1994 Ford F53 Motor Homes

Ford Car Recall: The Problem

The problem that triggered the Ford recall is a faulty cruise control deactivation switch. This switch, made by Texas Instruments, can leak hydraulic fluid which can smolder, smoke, and catch fire. Because the fluid can smolder the vehicle can still catch on fire even when turned off, parked, and unattended.

Ford Car Recall: What Should You Do?

Ford advises that if you own one of the recalled vehicles that you should park your car outside until you get a letter detailing what you need to do to get your car or truck repaired. Ford plans to have this letter mailed to owners by the end of the month

Ford Car Recall: What to Look for in a Defective Cruise Control

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration says that Ford owners should watch for all cruise control problems including cruise controls that cannot be activated or have just stopped working. Owners should also watch out for broken brake lights, brake lights and ABS warning lights on the dashboard, and not being able to get the vehicle out of park.

Also look for an ABS warning light on the dashboard. The leaking fluid can deactivate the antilock braking control. NHTSA reports four cases of leaking fluid damaging the antilock brakes and causing a fire.

Ford Car Recall: My Vehicle Doesn't Have Cruise Control and it's still Recalled

Your car or truck maybe included in the recall even if it doesn't have cruise control because it may still have the defective cruise control switch. The brake fluid may be routed through the switch and it could leak and ignite.

Ford stopped using these cruise control switches in 2003. The company started looking into the Windstar issue in February of 2008. Ford said in a letter to federal regulators that it found a small number of reported fires linked to the problem during an internal investigation that began last year. Ford also said there were no reports of fires with some of the recalled models, especially the trucks and SUVs, but that they were included in the recall because they use the same switches. All vehicles covered by the recall are from the 1992 to 2003 model years.

Sources:

NHTSA

AP