Ford Extends Recall on Vehicles with Fire Hazard
A faulty cruise control switch is to blame for the largest recall in auto history. On Tuesday, October 13, 2009, Ford announced that they will be recalling an additional 4. 5 million vehicles due to this faulty switch manufactured by Texas Instruments which brings the number of recalled vehicles to 16 million for the same problem. The faulty switch can leak hydraulic fluid, overheat, smoke and then burn, and risks causing a fire even when the ignition is turned off, parked and unattended, the NHTSA said.
Ford Windstars minivans manufactured in 1995-2003 are currently at the highest risk because “a small number of reports” of fires, according to a letter from Ford to US Regulators. This includes 1.1 million vehicles alone, but Ford has also recalled an additional 3.4 million vehicles because they also contain the same faulty switch.
NHTSA said Ford drivers should look for warnings of possible imminent fires, including malfunctioning cruise control systems and brake lights and antilock braking system and brake light warnings on the dashboard. The safety agency also said difficulty in getting the vehicle out of the park mode should be treated as a warning.
Tuesday’s recall includes the following Ford models: 1995-2003 Windstars, 2000-2003 Excursion diesels, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 F-Super Duty diesels, 1992-2003 Econolines, 1995-2002 Explorers and Mercury Mountaineers, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 Rangers and 1994 F35 motorhomes.
The safety recall is expected to begin around Oct. 26. Owners will be contacted and told to bring their vehicles into a Ford or Lincoln dealership so they may install a fused wiring harness to eliminate the fire risk. However, owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673 or NTHSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit http://www.safercar.gov.
What To Do If Your Vehicle Has Caught Fire
If your vehicle has caught fire, you should contact your insurance company immediately and seek to preserve the physical evidence needed to establish your claim. Additionally, you should also report your vehicle fire to the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), so that NHTSA receives notice of the fire.
To report a fire incident with any vehicle, visit the website athttp://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ or http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/ or call 1-888-DASH-2-DOT. By U.S. mail, contact the NHTSA at:
U.S. Department of Transportation
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Office of Defects Investigation
NSA-10.01, 400 7th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20590
If You Were Injured In A Ford Vehicle Fire or Suffered a Significant Property Damage due to a Ford Vehicle Fire
Individuals who were injured due to a fire in a Ford Vehicle or had significant property damage (such as the destruction of your home) are encouraged to contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at The Kahn Law Firm. There is no charge or obligation for our review of your case
You may contact us by telephone toll free at 1-877-226-9940 and request to speak to Ford fire recall attorneys John J. Kahn, Jr. or Jennifer H. Kahn.
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