Ford recalls vehicles a second time

Ford recalls vehicles a second time

Automaker to notify dealers, customers

Bernadine Williams
and Harry Stoffer
Automotive News
January 31, 2008 - 1:20 pm ET
UPDATED: 1/31/08 4:19 p.m. EST

DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. began notifying Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers
this week of a safety recall covering about 225,000 vehicles that were
previously recalled for improper wire harnesses.

"The action we are taking does deal with a new issue related to a previous
recall," said Ford spokeswoman Jennifer Moore.

The newly recalled vehicles are among 10.4 million cars and trucks Ford
previously had recalled in stages since 1999 because a cruise control switch
was found to pose a fire hazard -- even when vehicles were parked and turned
off.

In some cases, homes were destroyed when vehicles burned in attached
garages.

The original repair involved installation of a wiring harness around the
cruise control switch.

Ford found that the harness did not function properly in this subset of
225,000 vehicles, now being recalled a second time, company spokesmen told
Automotive News.

Ford plans to notify the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that
wiring harnesses installed on eight models built in years varying between
1992 and 2003 are not compatible with the current circuit polarity.

The harnesses have an improperly placed fuse. The placement does not offer
enough protection if there is an electrical short circuit, according to the
dealer alert.

In a letter sent Tuesday, Jan. 29, to dealers, Ford said it does not intend
to notify owners of the recall until NHTSA has been informed and dealers
receive service repair information.

" All customers have an available interim action that eliminates any risk if
the part is not available for their vehicle," Moore said in a statement.
Ford expects to begin owner notification by mid-February.

Dealers can expect to receive the service bulletin next week.

These models make up the list of vehicles to be recalled by Ford:

-- 1992-2003 Econoline*
-- 1992-98 Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis
-- 1993 Bronco
-- 1995-97 F-series stripped chassis*
-- 1993-95 Taurus SHO
-- 1992-95 Town Car
-- 1993 F series*
*Indicates gasoline engines only