Ford recalls 4.5 million vehicles over fire hazard

In collaboration with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Ford Motor Company has announced a recall alerting owners about a possible fire hazard in 4.5 million older Ford model vehicles. This new recall is the eighth involving a total of approximately 16 million Ford vehicles equipped with a faulty cruise control deactivation switch manufactured by Texas Instruments. The switch can leak hydraulic fluid, then overheat, smoke or burn, potentially causing vehicle fires--even with the engine is turned off, vehicle parked, or left unattended.

NHTSA warns consumers to be aware of certain vehicle conditions that could signal a possible problem, such as a cruise control system that stops working or can't be activated, brake lights that stop working, brake lights and ABS warning lights that illuminate on the dashboard, or the inability to shift the vehicle out of the park position. NHTSA also warns owners to not park the vehicle in garages or near homes until a repair is made.

The problem affects the vehicles listed below.

• 1995-2003 Ford Windstar
• 2000-2003 Ford Excursion diesel
• 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 Ford Super Duty diesel
• 1992-2003 Ford Econoline
• 1995-2002 Ford Explorers and Mercury Mountaineer
• 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 Ford Ranger
• 1994 Ford F53 motor home

Ford will notify owners beginning around October 26, 2009 to bring in their car to a dealer where they will install a fused wiring harness for the cruise control deactivation switch and inspect the ABS control connector for any problems. All repairs will be made free of charge. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673 or the NHTSA safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 using the ID number 09V399000.

— Liza Barth