Ford is expanding its largest recall ever over a faulty switch that has lead to at least 550 vehicle fires and many complaints.
The recall concerns cruise-control deactivation switches, made by Texas Instruments that were installed in 16 million Fords over a decade before Ford stopped using them in 2002. This new announcement of an additional 4.5 million vehicles being recalled brings the total to more than 14 million vehicles in eight separate recalls over a 10-year period. Part of the recall includes nearly 1.1 million 1995-2003 Ford Windstar vans.
"Ford is making a safety-related defect determination for the Windstar vehicles," James Vondale, director of Ford's automotive safety office, said in the letter. "We have not made a safety-related defect determination for the other vehicles included in this recall, but are including them to avoid any future concerns related to a potential fire risk resulting from the Texas Instruments (switch) either from the agency or from our customers."
The switch that is being recalled deactivates the cruise control once the driver presses down on the brake pedal.
The recall now includes:
• 1995-2003 model year Ford Windstar
• 2000-2003 Ford Excursion diesel
• 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 Ford F-Super Duty diesel;
• 1992-2003 Ford Econoline
• 1995-2002 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer
• 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 Ford Ranger
• 1994 Ford F53 Motor home vehicles equipped with the Texas Instruments speed control deactivation.
Full Story: Detroit News
Comments (8)
Do I detect the makings of a new 'Speed' sequel?
Posted by kw | October 13, 2009 12:47 PM
Posted on October 13, 2009 12:47
If this had been a Toyota Sienna there would already have been 20 posts from the pro everything american crowd such as UAW and union workers, rednecks, and nascar fans.
Posted by Peter | October 13, 2009 2:08 PM
Posted on October 13, 2009 14:08
That's because it was announced that Texas Instruments made the switch, not Ford. They just have to recall vehicles that are up to 17 years old.
Sorry Peter, the only person in here throwing stones is you.
Posted by Trooper Bri | October 13, 2009 3:24 PM
Posted on October 13, 2009 15:24
Yep I know but foreign and domestics use components from other companies such as Johnson Controls, Yusa, Weastec, Delco, Firestone, etc, but the automaker gets the blame. Like I said if this was a part made by Texas Instruments for a Toyota Sienna, my post would be number 30, not the fourth post.
Posted by Peter | October 13, 2009 6:52 PM
Posted on October 13, 2009 18:52
This was clearly Texas Instruments fault. Now I’m worried that my calculator made by them might all of a sudden catch on fire too. :)
Posted by SteelCity1981 | October 14, 2009 12:06 AM
Posted on October 14, 2009 00:06
Only if you try to take your calculator off cruise control. Leave it on cruise and you're fine. :)
Posted by kw | October 14, 2009 12:03 PM
Posted on October 14, 2009 12:03
Hell if you have a 95 Windstar that's still going that probably deserves an award...
Posted by Brian | October 18, 2009 9:02 AM
Posted on October 18, 2009 09:02
The broken switch was the one that didn't go off in people's heads,warning them about buying a Ford in the 90's.
Posted by Patrick | October 20, 2009 3:17 PM
Posted on October 20, 2009 15:17