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Ford FIRES
June 16, 2005
Recent information gathered from a Ford document suggests that as many as 16 million Ford vehicles may be at risk for spontaneously catching fire. This serious risk is posed by a defective cruise control deactivation switch installed in millions of Ford vehicles from the model years 1992-2003. Ford has known about this defect for years and has issued two major recalls to fix the faulty switch.
In May 1999, Ford issued its first major recall to address this serious problem. They recalled 279,000 Ford Crown Victorias, Grand Marquises, and Town Cars from the model years 1992 and 1993 to fix the cruise control switch. In January 2005 they issued an even larger recall of 792,000 vehicles including the F-series SuperCrews model year 2001 and the 2000 model year Expeditions, Navigators, and F-150s. Nearly one million vehicles have been recalled, yet millions more Ford vehicles are equipped with this defective auto component.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) expanded its on-going investigation of these faulty switches in Ford vehicles in March 2005 to include nearly four million Ford vehicles. This government agency has received 559 reports of Ford vehicles spontaneously bursting into flames; half of these reports involved Ford vehicles that have not yet been recalled. The NHTSA's latest investigation has focused on the 1995 model years of the F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator.
According to a Ford document the following vehicles have also been equipped with this faulty cruise control deactivation switch: the 1994-1998 Mark VII and VIII; Taurus/Sable and Taurus SHO 1993-1995; Econoline 1992-2003; F-Series 1993-2003; Windstar 1994-2003; Explorer without IVD 1995-2003; Explorer Sport/Sport Trac 2002-2003; Expedition 1997-2003; Ranger 1995-2003. None of these vehicles have been recalled.
The defective cruise control deactivation switch, located under the hood of the vehicle, is connected to the brake master cylinder and the cruise control device. When cruise control is active and the driver steps on the brake, this devise deactivates the cruise control. Ford designed this device to be powered at all times, including when the vehicle is not in use. There is a thin film barrier that separates the brake fluid and the electrical components of the cruise control system. This film can crack, causing combustible brake fluid to flow into the electrical workings, causing the vehicle to burst into flames.
Many innocent people have already suffered devastating losses due to this Ford auto defect. When a Florida family's 2001 Ford Expedition caught fire in the middle of the night, they were forced to flee their home as it was consumed in flames. Their daughter suffered second degree burns and the family pet could not be rescued. An Iowan family is suing Ford because their 1996 F-150 spontaneously burst into flames, killing a 74 year old relative and torching their home and garage. Ford claims that the fire was not related to the vehicle defect.
For more information on crashworthiness and Ford recalls, contact us to confer with an attorney.
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