Ford Re-Issues Recall For Fire-Prone Vehicles

For years, Ford and federal safety regulators were criticized for moving too slowly to recognize and remedy a fire-safety risk on millions of Ford vehicles.

Now it's Ford owners who are the target of a recall reprise. Federal regulators say that an estimated 8.4 million Ford vehicles that can possibly catch fire remain on the road because of lack of owner action even after the largest U.S. safety recall ever

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) urged owners of the 14 million vehicles recalled between 1999 and 2009 for leaky cruise-control switches to take their unrepaired vehicles in to dealers. The switches on those vehicles may leak into the antilock brake system, dripping onto hot engine components and causing a fire, even hours after the vehicle has been shut off and parked.

Among the models that have been recalled over the years are 1992-2003 E series, 1993-2003 F series, 1995-2003 Windstars, 1995-2002 Explorers and 1995-2003 Rangers.

"If not repaired, the vehicles can catch fire, even if they are turned off, parked and unattended," NHTSA's statement said. The agency said that about 60 percent of the 14 million recalled vehicles -- or 8.4 million - have not been brought in for repair by owners.

For years, ConsumerAffairs.com has been receiving reports of Ford vehicles burning to the ground, often while unoccupied.  In a real-life version of the iconic firehouse fire, we have several reports of firemen complaining that their Ford trucks burned to the ground while parked outside the firehouse.

More routine are complaints such as this from Craig of Lake Zurich, Ill.:

"On the way to work one morning, heard a loud noise, sounded like the muffler fell off. Looked out the rear view mirror and there was a line of fire coming towards my truck. Threw the truck in park and opened the door to get out. The flames were already coming up from the bottom of the truck. Jumped over them and ran for safety. The truck burned to the ground."

Then there was Charlie of Elbertom, Ga.:

"My 2001 Ford Supercab pickup caught fire and burned 2 nights ago. The truck had been parked for over 10 hours. It also burned a car parked next to it, the parking garage and melted the vinyl siding on my house. Loss of all vehicles, 2001 Ford Supercab F150 and a 96 Toyota Corolla. Plus the damage to my house and garage."

Both vehicles likely were among the millions recalled, but owners -- especially those who bought the cars and trucks second- or third-hand -- may not have received or responded to the recall  notices.

Today's statement singled out used-car owners who may not know whether the vehicles they bought had ever been returned to dealers for needed repairs. It also urged owners "to watch for potential warning signs of an imminent fire."

Those signs include a cruise-control system or brake lights that stop working, low brake fluid and the illumination of brake warning lights on the dashboard.

Ford has notified owners about the recalls a number of times, company spokesman Wesley Sherwood said. The repair rate for the Ford models has been "likely lower than typical" because of their age, he added.

A Ford owner can check whether a vehicle has been recalled and repaired by entering the vehicle identification number (VIN) on the following site: www.myford.com.