Feds warn Ford drivers on cruise control recall

-Bloomberg News

09/10/2008- Ford vehicle owners should return about 5 million autos to dealers to fix a faulty cruise- control switch that may cause a fire "at any time," a U.S. regulatory agency said.

The recommendation covers Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars and trucks from model years 1992 through 2004, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said today in a statement. They're part of a previously announced recall under which 7 million vehicles already have been repaired, NHTSA said.

"This is a very serious safety risk," agency spokeswoman Karen Aldana said in an interview. At least 60 motorists reported fires from August through February, when NHTSA issued a similar advisory, she said.

Ford hasn't received any reports of accidents or injuries related to the recall, said Wes Sherwood, a spokesman for the Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker. He said the repair is "very quick" and would be made at no cost to motorists.

The recall now covers 12 million vehicles, up from 10 million, Aldana said. The safety agency said the fires could occur when autos are being driven or while parked.

The models are Ford's Ranger, Crown Victoria, Econoline, Expedition, Taurus SHO, Explorer, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Bronco, Excursion, F53 motor-home chassis, some F-Series trucks and some E-Series models; Mercury's Grand Marquis, Capri and Mountaineer; and Lincoln's Navigator, Town Car, Mark VIII and Blackwood.

Ford declined 2 cents to $4.43 at 12:27 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. The shares fell 32 percent this year before today.

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