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Report: Millions of Fire-Prone Fords Still on the Roads

40 percent of vehicles have been repaired, reports automaker

By Joe Benton
ConsumerAffairs.com

August 11, 2008

As of July 31, in its most recent report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Ford Motor Company estimated that 4.9 million vehicles of the more than 10 million cars and trucks involved in the massive recall are now repaired. Some vehicles were included in more than one recall, making it hard to calculate precise numbers.

But any way you count them, millions of Ford products produced with the faulty cruise control switch on the highways, garages and even junkyards where they are at risk of erupting into flames at any time.

The automaker reported on its Web site June 26 that the parts needed to fix the fire-prone speed control system in Ford cars and trucks are available at dealerships around the country.

"Affected customers should contact their dealer to schedule a service appointment to have final repairs completed," according to the automaker's Web site.

The Ford recall has consumed most of a decade as safety investigators struggled to identify the cause of the fires.

When NHTSA announced the recall in August of 2007, Ford was unable complete many repairs because of insufficient parts and offered to disconnect the cruise control system as an interim fix. Ford is now prepared to install a fused wiring harness into the speed control electrical circuit or to replace the speed control deactivation system if it is found to be leaking.

In the latest announcement, the automaker described the recall as "voluntary" but continued to warn consumers not to use the speed control system in a recalled vehicle until the repairs are complete. NHTSA has warned owners of Ford cars and trucks that carry the defective speed control system to have the vehicle repaired or the system disconnected immediately or risk the vehicle catching fire.

Here is the most recent list of recalled cars and trucks according to Ford:

Trucks:

• 1997-2002 Expedition

• 1998-2002 Navigator

• 2002-2003 Blackwood

• 1993-1996 Bronco

• 2000-2003 Excursion (built prior to 11/4/02)

• 1992-2003 Econoline E-150/250/350

• 1996-2003 Econoline E450

• 2002-2003 Econoline E550

• 1998-2002 Ranger

• 1998-2001 Explorer/Mountaineer

• 2001-2002 Explorer Sport (2 door) & Sport Trac

• 2003-2004 F-150 Lightning

• 1993-2003 F-Series (Under 8500 lb. GVW)

• 1993-2003 F-Series (over 8500 lb. GVW) – all plants except Cuautitlan

• 1994-2003 F-Series (over 8500 lb. GVW) – Cuautitlan built only prior to 1/7/03

• 1995-2002 F-53 Motorhome

Cars:

• 1992-1998 Town Car

• 1992-1998 Crown Victoria

• 1992-1998 Grand Marquis

• 1993-1998 Mark VIII

• 1993-1995 Taurus SHO (automatic transmission)

• 1994 Capri

"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 NHTSA advisory cautioned.

"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," the strongly-worded NHTSA consumer advisory stated.

NHTSA concluded that the fire danger is present regardless of the age of the vehicle.

More horror stories

Ford car and truck owners who have either not heard of the recall or failed to request the need repairs continue to report fires, some with devastating consequences, to ConsumerAffairs.Com just since the automaker announced parts are available to repair the cruise control system. Here are some of their stories in their own words:

Sandy of Fayetteville, Arkansas, August 5

My 1999 Ford Expedition caught fire, destroying part of my house. I was about to fall sleep around 12 at night when I heard a loud boom, looked at the window, and saw fire coming out of garage.

We immediately went down stairs away from house and called 911. The fire department came and took care of it. They also agree that it was the car that started the fire.

The garage, the office above the garage and my SUV Ford Expedition were completely destroyed. Heavy smoke damage was all over the house.

Susan of Appleton, Wisconsin, July 31

I purchased a 1993 Ford Explorer from the sole previous owner in May 2008. The vehicle was in very good condition with excellent service records.

Inexplicably the vehicle set itself on fire in my driveway. It had not been driven in two days. I heard a clicking sound, saw black smoke from driver side and flames coming out of the dash. Within minutes it was engulfed in flames, causing a 3-alarm fire. The SUV was completely burned from front to back, just the tires left and frame.

The fire destroyed the siding on the neighbor's house. My vehicle was totaled, charred wreckage. My driveway is ruined. I am devastated as I had just purchased the vehicle and because of the age did not have full insurance coverage to cover my loss. The damage to the home next door is $18,000. My driveway is ruined.

Anissia of Allen, Texas, July 30

My Lincoln Navigator was parked in the garage, not running, when we heard a loud boom! The truck was on fire in the front. We evacuated and then called 911. The Allen Fire Department came out and put the rest of the fire out.

My truck was totaled in my garage. Not knowing anything about the recalls, I called Ford and they stated if I had a claim with my insurance that they would not do anything.

The truck was towed to a storage facility and totaled sticking me with a $700 bill.

Patricia of South El Monte, California, July 9

I went to pick up lunch, parked my truck at work. About an hour later my truck was on fire.

They informed me of a recall I hadn't received or heard of saying that due to the cruise control my truck ran a chance of spontaneous combustion.

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