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

Mulally wants Ford to Cut Company-wide Lineup Down to Around 20 vehicles

Alan Mulally, President and CEO of FoMoCo, told an audience of business leaders at the Confederation of British Industry in London today that Ford is looking to downsize its current lineup to 20-25 models in an attempt to "simplify" and build better cars.

It seems to make sense; instead of spreading yourself too thin and trying to be everything to everyone at the cost of quality, spend more of your resources on fewer models to ensure a well put-together product.

Clearly addressing the euthanization of Mercury and its badge-engineered wonders (as well as parting out Ford's Premier Automotive Group), Ford CEO Alan Mulally said:

"When I arrived, it was absolutely clear that we had to simplify Ford dramatically...Fewer brands means you can put more focus into improving the quality of engineering."

For the record, Mulally came into a FoMoCo that had ninety-seven (97!) models in 2006. Thanks to cutting back models and standardizing components, Ford has helped bring down the cost of multi-market cars like the Fiesta (65% of which is standardized parts).

With Volvo's sale - at a huge loss - to Chinese Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ford's golden child already is now making sure those wasted Mercury funds are allocated properly (i.e. to Lincoln and its non-cohesiveproduct range). What's next?

Mulally says, "The key thing now is to keep the economy going. All the fundamentals say that we are moving in the right direction."

I'll believe that when Lincoln is a true-blue luxury brand once more.

By Phil Alex

Source: Bloomberg