The Federal investigation of fires caused by a flawed speed control system in Ford Motor Company vehicles has spread to the 1995 to 2003 model year Windstar minivan.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported on its Web site that 1,708,381 Ford Windstars were manufactured and sold between 1995 and 2003.
Two Windstar owners reported to NHTSA that fires caused by the Ford Windstar vehicles damaged their homes.
The Office of Defect Investigations (ODI) at NHTSA said a preliminary evaluation has been opened to determine the cause of fires in the Windstar following 130 consumer complaints of engine compartment fires in the vehicles.
ODI has received 33 complaints complaining that engine fires erupted while the Windstar parked.
Another 71 complaints report engine fires while the vehicle was running. An additional 26 consumers did not report whether the Windstar was parked or moving.
The agency has received 36 reports of Ford Windstar fires in the last 12 months.
Ford has recalled almost 12 million vehicles since 1999 to repair the fire-prone cruise control system and recently reiterated the recall of 9.6 million cars and trucks on its Web site.
The Windstar is not included in the latest For recall posted on the automaker's Web site April 28, 2008.
The automaker insists the possibility of fire caused by the cruise control switch is insignificant.
The potential for fire is small. However, owners who are concerned should park their vehicle outside until the repair is completed. Ultimately, the best action for customers is to have their dealer perform the repair as soon as possible, Ford states on its Web site.
NHTSA warning
In a strongly worded and highly unusual statement, NHTSA in February warned owners of the recalled vehicles to go to a Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer as soon as possible and have the potentially dangerous cruise control system disconnected.
This condition may occur either when the vehicle is parked or when it is being operated, even if the speed control is not in use, the statement warned.
"Failure to have the switch disconnected could lead to a vehicle fire at any time, whether or not the key is in the ignition, and whether or not owners use the cruise control system," NHTSA warned in the consumer advisory.
The safety agency said the fire danger is present regardless of the age of the vehicle.
NHTSA advised consumers in the February warning that many Ford dealers would disconnect the switch as a drive-through service and interim repair until parts are available.
In the most recent recall notice posted on the Ford Web site, the automaker stopped well short of taking any responsibility for vehicles that already have burned. The automaker said owners should work with their insurance company to address these concerns.
Ford insisted in the recall notice that parts for the speed control switch recall are available for passenger cars and owners should contact their dealer to schedule a service appointment to have final repairs completed.
For Ford trucks however, parts are currently available only in limited quantities, according to the automaker.
Truck vehicle owners will be notified by mail when parts are available to service their vehicles. All truck vehicle owners are expected to be notified by early June, 2008, the recall notice stated.
According to Ford, when the badly need repair parts are available, the recall involves the installation of a fused wiring harness into the speed control electrical circuit, or the replacement of the deactivation switch if it is found to be leaking. The repair ford said in a statement is a quick repair, and will be performed on vehicles built between 1992 and 2004.
Ford warned owners of the listed vehicles that the company investigation has "found that if brake fluid leaks through the speed control deactivation switch into the speed control system electrical components, those components may corrode. Together with other conditions, this could lead to overheating, and possibly, a fire at the switch.
This condition may occur either when the vehicle is parked or when it is being operated, even if the speed control is not in use, the statement warned.
A NHTSA spokesman told ConsumerAffairs.com that the agency is "monitoring the recall closely."
Recalled models
The recalled vehicles are:
1. 1993 2004 F150
2. 1993 1999 F250 (gasoline engine)
3. 1993 1996 Bronco
4. 1994 1996 Econoline
5. 1997 2002 Ford Expedition
6. 1998 2002 Lincoln Navigator
7. 1998 2002 Ford Ranger
8. 1992 1998 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car
9. 1993 1998 Lincoln Mark VIII
10. 1993 1995 Ford Taurus SHO with automatic transmission
11. 1994 Mercury Capri
12. 1998 2001 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer
13. 2001 2002 Ford Explorer Sport and Explorer Sport Trac
14. 1992 1993 and 1997 2003 Ford E-150-350 gasoline or natural gas vehicles
15. 2002 E-550 gasoline engine vehicles
16. 1996 2003 E-450 gasoline or natural gas vehicles
17. 1994 2002 F-250 through F-550 super Duty trucks (gasoline engine)
18. 2000 2002 Ford Excursion (gasoline engine)
19. 2003 F250 F550 Super Duty, Ford Excursion
20. 1995 2002 Ford F53 Motor home chassis
21. 2002 2003 Lincoln Blackwood
Ford truck and SUV owners wanting more information about the fire danger in their vehicle or the recall may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673 or NHTSA 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153).
