Ford Recall: Fire in the HoleWritten by Anna Henningsgaard
Ford Motor Company claims that it is unclear whether its cruise control switches are fault for over 560 reported fires and explosions in Ford vehicles. Many of these fires broke out when vehicles were parked in family garages, destroying homes and lives. In cases like this numbers reported are only a fraction of what has actually occurred, but Ford claims to be doing its best to determine cause of fires and refuses to declare cruise control switch at fault. Here are facts:More than 16 million Ford vehicles have rolled out of lots installed with a cruise control switch that is designed not to switch off. This switch remains hot and powered, even when car is parked. Only a thin metal sheet separates switch from brake fluid line, and only a little extra heat can cause switch to combust, dripping flaming fluid over all plastic components, resulting in a full-blown hood fire that is very difficult to extinguish. Many owners have reported explosions, both while driving Ford vehicles and after parking them. In May of 1999, Ford issued a recall on Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, and Town Car models from 1992-1993. A second recall issued in January of 2005 affected 800,000 vehicles including all 2001 F-Series Super Crews and all year 2000 Expeditions, Navigators, and F-150 Pickups. Even these massive recalls have not solved problem. As recently as this month reports have come in of vehicle fires in models not covered by recall. A 1999 Expedition caught fire in a family garage after 3 Ford dealerships refused to replace its cruise control switch. Federal investigators are now looking at 3.7 million Ford trucks and SUV’s to determine extent of danger. This Federal investigation only covers a quarter of vehicles that could be affected. A Ford document obtained by CNN showed that same or similar switch was installed in a total of 16 million vehicles, including: Mark VII/VIII from 1994-1998 Taurus/Sable and Taurus SHO 2.3 L 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 The NHTSA says that of over 560 complaints of spontaneous, non-collision fires, 253 involved unrecalled models. Some cruise control switches that combust malfunction beforehand, but many owners did not observe a problem until their trucks exploded in garage and burned down their homes. Because power flows to switch when vehicle is turned off, many of these fires broke out in middle of night, hours after anybody touched Ford trucks.
| | Ford Defective Door Attorney Says:Written by Anna Henningsgaard
Have you or someone you loved owned or ridden in a Ford F150, Ford F250 light-duty, Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator or Lincoln Blackwood model from 1997-2000? These models suffer from a serious defect that threatens safety and lives of its passengers. As early as 1995 Ford’s testing on an Expedition revealed a defect in door latching mechanism. It was found that under very light impact doors would unlatch and open, resulting in victims falling from vehicles, causing paralysis and death. Aware of this serious danger, Ford continued to release these defective models.In late 1997, Transport Canada ran its own vehicle safety tests and observed this same door latch problem, contacted Ford, and revealed defective doors to public. Door latch systems are required by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS 206) to withstand forces of a crash and remain closed, protecting drivers and passengers. The Ford vehicles do not follow this law. Some customers have even observed their Ford door opening while simply driving down road. However, most customers do not become aware of defect until it threatens their lives in a crash situation. By then it is too late. All accidents, injuries, and deaths resulting from Ford door latch malfunctions could have been easily prevented, since it is alleged that Ford has known about illegal, dangerous defect throughout manufacturing process. Ford has not yet fixed doors. Because defect is illegal and because Ford knowingly distributed these dangerous vehicles, you may be entitled to monetary compensation from Ford for any injuries you or your family has suffered.
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