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- Detroit Free Press

10/14/2009 - Ford Motor Co. is recalling 4.5 million vehicles due to a faulty switch that can overheat and catch fire. It’s the automaker’s eighth recall in a decade involving the same switch, which has now resulted in the recall of more than 14 million vehicles.

Ford is recalling 1.1 million Ford Windstar minivans, model years 1995 through 2003, that could have the problem. The automaker also is recalling 3.4 million additional vehicles that have the switch, including Ford Excursions, Explorers and Rangers of various model years, going back as far as 1992.

“While the data show the majority of the vehicles being recalled do not pose a significant safety risk, we are recalling the vehicles to reassure customers and eliminate any future concerns,” Ford said in a statement.

The switch, made by a former business unit of Texas Instruments, is used to disengage the vehicle’s cruise control. NHTSA says the switch poses a risk because it could leak brake fluid, which can reach the anti-lock brake system and start to burn, potentially prompting a fire even when the vehicle isn’t running.

In a statement Texas Instruments said, “The switch is only one component of Ford’s cruise control deactivation switch system and is not the root cause of the fires.”

Before Tuesday’s recall, Ford’s previous recalls stemming from the faulty cruise control switch already ranked as the nation’s largest automotive recall. It also tops Toyota’s recall last month of 3.8 million floor mats, which can stick under the accelerator pedal and cause sudden acceleration.

Ford’s investigation into the recent switch problems started in February 2008, when it began to look into fires under the hood of Windstar minivans, according to a letter Ford sent to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. That federal agency then opened an investigation in June.

Ford plans to notify vehicle owners starting at the end of the month. In the meantime, the automaker suggests owners of all the recalled vehicles park outdoors until they are serviced.

Since the first of these recalls were issued in 1999, NHTSA reports 2,521 complaints due to the switches and 285 fires. NHTSA said one fatality has been linked to a fire potentially prompted by the overheating switches.

“We are aware of a few allegations related to fatalities related to the switch fires. But none that have been confirmed at this point,” said Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood.

The recall comes at a time when Ford is strengthening its reputation for quality for its new vehicles.

“This won’t help,” said David Champion, director of automobile testing at Consumer Reports. “But I don’t think it’s going to be a big dent in the perception people have of Ford.”

Additional Facts

Models affected by the recall

Here are the models that Ford is recalling because of potentially faulty cruise control switches.

• 1995-2003 Ford Windstar: 1.1 million

•2000-2003 Ford Excursion diesel: 36,624

•1995-2002, 1997, 2002 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer: 1.1 million

•1993-1997, 1999-2003 Ford F-Super Duty diesel: 1.1 million

•1992-2003 Ford Econoline: 742,688

•1995-1997, 2001-2003 Ford Ranger: 355,181

•1994 Ford F53 Motorhome: 7,308

For more Ford recall, Ford fire, or Ford lawsuit information visit  http://ennislaw.com/ford_fire_recall.html