NHTSA Warns Ford Owners on Older Recall Concerning 17.5 Million Vehicles

In an unusual announcement today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) voiced concerns that millions of Ford vehicles previously recalled for a faulty cruise control system may have not been repaired, despite FoMoCo's notification efforts.

The safety agency noted that Ford Motor Company "has been diligent in contacting owners of the affected vehicles, including sending re-notification letters to owners in many cases."

According to the feds, since 1999, approximately 17.5 million Ford vehicles have been involved in the recalls because of the faulty cruise control disconnect switch, which can overheat and burn, potentially causing a fire long after the engine has been turned off.

"As more of the affected vehicles enter the used car market, the agency is concerned that most used car buyers don't know whether the used vehicles they purchased were ever returned to dealers for the needed repairs," the NHTSA said in a statement.

The agency said it advising owners of the affected Ford models to watch for potential warning signs of an imminent fire, including: a cruise control system that can't be activated or stops working; brake lights that stop working; low brake fluid; ABS and brake warning lights that are illuminated on the dashboard; or the inability to get a vehicle out of park.

Concerned owners can visit Ford's dedicated recall page and enter their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to see if their particular model has been recalled for the problem and if the repair has been made.

Here's the complete list of affected vehicles with the defective cruise control system:

• 1992-2003 E Series (all including Econolines)
  
• 1992-1998 Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis/Town Car
  
• 1993-2003 F Series (150-550)
  
• 2003-2004 Lightning
  
• 2002-2003 Blackwood
  
• 1993-1997 F Series (>8500GVW Diesel)
  
• 1999-2003 F Series (>8500GVW Diesel)
  
• 1993-1995 Taurus SHO
  
• 1993-1998 Mark VIII
  
• 1993-1996 Bronco
  
• 1994-2002 F53 Motorhome
  
• 1994 Mercury Capri
  
• 1995-2003 Ranger
  
• 1995-2002 Explorer
  
• 2001-2002 Explorer Sport & Sport Trac
  
• 1995-2002 Mountaineer
  
• 1995-2003 Windstar
  
• 1997-2002 Expedition
  
• 1998-2002 Navigator
  
• 1998-2002 Mazda-B-Series
  
• 2000-2003 Excursion

Ford to launch new Mercury small car in 2011

Ford Motor Co (F.N) will launch a new small car for its Mercury brand in early 2011, based on the automaker's new global compact car platform, Ford President of the Americas Mark Fields said on Sunday.
The new Mercury is one of the 10 vehicles Ford is planning for its global small car architecture, that also underpins the upcoming 2012 Ford Focus, and would expand the lineup of the mid-level premium brand long devoid of new products.
The launch also underscores the No. 2 U.S. automaker's support for the brand despite uncertainty in some analysts' views over whether Ford will keep the brand in the long term.


Fields unveiled the plan during a meeting with U.S. dealers at the annual National Automobile Dealers Association convention in Orlando, Florida.
"The trend towards more fuel-efficient vehicles is very important, the trend toward (small) cars in general is coming back. We are responding to that," Fields told reporters after the meeting with dealers.


U.S. sales for the Mercury brand fell 23 percent to 92,299 vehicles in 2009, while the overall market was down 21 percent. The company's flagship Ford brand sold 1.44 million units in the U.S. market in 2009, down 14 percent from a year earlier.
A Ford dealer who attended the meeting said the new Milan was likely to be showcased at the New York Auto Show in March.


FIESTA ORDERS
Ford U.S. sales chief Ken Czubay said dealers can start to order the new Fiesta small car on Monday, months ahead of its launch this summer.
The Fiesta, which could get 40 miles per gallon on the highway and 30 mpg in city driving, brings Ford back to a subcompact segment it abandoned and represents the automaker's big bet that it can drive back to profitability with a new lineup of cars.
More than 6,000 consumers have made reservations for the Fiesta through Ford's online order system, Czubay said.
"It seems to be a home run. And it gave us invaluable feedback from consumers," he said.
Ford also plans to launch a redesigned Focus small car later in 2010.
The only large U.S. automaker not to reorganize under a government-funded bankruptcy in 2009, Ford has forecast a profitable 2010 after posting its first full-year profit since 2005 last year.
Source: Reuters More Photos