Yourlawyer.com (Ford Cruise Control Switch News)

More Fords Recalled Over Cruise Control Switch, Fire Hazard

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Ford Motor Co. is recalling another 4.5 million vehicles over a faulty cruise control switch that can cause a fire. According to CNN.com, this Ford recall is the eighth since 1999 involving the defective cruise control switch. So far, a total of 16 million vehicles have been affected.

The Ford vehicles involved in this recall include:

1992-2003 Econoline vans
2000-2003 Excursion sport utility vehicles
1995-2002 Explorer SUVs
1993-1997 and 1999-2003 F-Series Super Duty pickup trucks
1994 F53 motor-home chassis
1995-1997 and 2001-2003 Ranger pickups
1995-2003 Windstar minivans
1995-2002 Mercury Mountaineer SUVs.

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), the cruise-control switch, made by Texas Instruments Inc., can leak hydraulic fluid and then overheat, smoke or burn. According to a letter Ford sent to the NHTSA on October 9, the risk of fire is greatest for the Windstar. The other vehicles being recalled don't pose an "unreasonable risk to safety," but do have the Texas Instrument switch. A spokesperson for the automaker told CNN they were being recalled to "reassure customers and prevent future recalls."

According to CNN, the NHTSA is advising Ford drivers to look for warnings of possible imminent fires, including malfunctioning cruise control systems and brake lights and antilock braking system and brake light warnings on the dashboard. Difficulty in getting the vehicle out of the park mode should also be treated as a warning.

Over the past ten years, Ford has issued six recalls of cars and trucks with cruise control switches that can develop a short circuit and spark a raging fire, usually when the car is parked and unattended. The faulty cruise control switch was also suspected as the cause of several house fires. At least three wrongful death suits have been filed as a result of such fires.

Some of the Ford vehicles that have been recalled since 1999 include 1993-2004 Ford F150 trucks, 1994-2002 F250 through F550 Super Duty trucks with gasoline engines, and 1998-2001 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer SUVs, all of which were among the best-selling vehicles in the nation during those years. In February 2008, Ford issued a seventh recall of about 225,000 vehicles that had already been repaired because some wiring harnesses appeared to be defective.

Ford will begin notifying owners of the latest recall on October 26. Owners will be instructed to bring their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer for installation of a fused wiring harness to eliminate the potential risk of fire

For additional information, owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673 or NTHSA's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit http://www.safercar.gov.

Ford Issues Super Duty Truck Recall for Faulty Gas Tank, Prepares to End Cruise Control Switch Recall

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Ford Motor Company has announced a recall of some of its Super Duty pickup trucks because of a faulty gas tank. Ford says that defective mounting on the tanks need to be strengthened to prevent a gasoline leak in a head-on crash. Meanwhile, Ford says a massive recall of vehicles with faulty cruise control switches is nearly complete, but at least one consumer website says the switches are still a danger.

The Ford Super Duty truck pickup recall covers 65,000 2008 F-250 and F-350 trucks, Ford said in a letter posted on the Web site of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Ford dealers will add a bracket to help secure the fuel tank, at no charge to motorists. Owners will be notified beginning in late May when the parts are available. Ford said the affected trucks are F-250 and F-350 4x4 models with a single set of rear wheels and a 156-inch wheel base.

Meanwhile, Ford is trying to declare an end to a much larger recall involving faulty cruise control switches. Over the past ten years, Ford has issued six recalls of cars and trucks with control switches that can develop a short circuit and spark a raging fire, usually when the car is parked and unattended. About 12 million Ford vehicles have been recalled since 1999, including 1993-2004 Ford F150 trucks, 1994-2002 F250 through F550 Super Duty trucks with gasoline engines, and 1998-2001 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer SUVs, all of which were among the best-selling vehicles in the nation during those years. A complete list is available at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/.

A variety of problems have plagued and delayed the Ford cruise control switch recalls. In February, Ford recalled about 225,000 vehicles that had already been repaired because some wiring harnesses appeared to be defective. A shortage of parts also delayed repairs of the defective switches.

Ford is now preparing to send "final repair notices" to 3.5 million Ford vehicle owners next month. According to Consumer Affairs.com, the final repair notice is theoretically the last time the automaker will attempt to warn owners of the affected models. The automaker says it will send multiple final notices to customers who do not take their vehicles in for the repair.

Ford reported to the NHTSA earlier this year that just more than 4 million of the recalled vehicles have been repaired to date. Ford also reported 834,000 of the recalled vehicles were not delivered, exported, stolen or scrapped. That leaves more than 7 million Ford cars and trucks in the U.S. that could potentially catch fire - significantly more vehicles than the company plans to include in its final repair notices.

Meanwhile, Consumer Affairs.com says it continues to receive reports of Ford cruise control switch fires. A Ford truck owner in Hitchcock, Texas saw his 2000 F-150 pick up erupt into flames April 1. “I was coming back from the grocery store and I stopped to grab my trash cans when I smelled something burning under the hood,” according to an email the owner wrote to the website. “All of the sudden flames started coming out from underneath the hood against the windshield before I could even shut the door,” he said. The owner, whose truck was totaled, said he had had all recalls fixed by a Ford dealer.

The faulty cruise control switch is also suspected as the cause of several house fires. At least three wrongful death suits have been filed as a result of Ford cruise control fires.

Ford Owners Warned Again on Defective Cruise Control Switch

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Faulty Ford cruise control switches are the subject of yet another consumer safety warning. Thursday, the government warned owners of about 4.6 million recalled Ford vehicles to bring their cars and trucks in immediately to dealerships to disconnect the cruise control switch systems because they have been linked to engine fires. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued the consumer advisory to owners of some Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, vans, and passenger cars that have not yet been repaired as the owners have not yet responded to past recalls. The recalls affect Ford’s popular F-Series pickup trucks, prompting hundreds of complaints and dozens of lawsuits over engine fires. Three deaths have been connected to the fires and Ford has struggled to produce enough parts to correct the problem.

About 9.6 million Ford vehicles have been recalled since 1999 and about five million have been fixed, raising concerns about the remaining vehicles on the road, between four and five million. NHTSA said they have received approximately 60 complaints of engine fires in the Ford vehicles since August 2007. Ford said they supported the action and dealers would soon offer a more permanent fix. "We absolutely want everybody to come in as soon as they can because we can eliminate the risk of fire for anyone with a vehicle in this recall," said Ford Motor Co. spokesman Wes Sherwood. He said the company would have an "ample supply" of the replacement parts by June.

The NHTSA said many dealers will disconnect the cruise control switches as a "drive through" service so owners do not have to leave their vehicles at the dealership or schedule an appointment. Dealers have also installed a fused wiring harness into the speed control electrical system as part of the recall, but replacement parts have not yet been widely available. Owners can take their vehicle to a dealer to have the cruise control deactivated pending arrival of the parts. The NHTSA issued a lengthy list of older vehicles covered by the consumer advisory, including 1993-2004 Ford F150 trucks, 1994-2002 F250 through F550 Super Duty trucks with gasoline engines, and 1998-2001 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer SUVs, all of which were among the best-selling vehicles in the nation during those years. A complete list is available at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/.

But, there have been problems with the Ford recalls. Earlier this month, Ford recalled about 225,000 vehicles that had already been repaired because some wiring harnesses appeared to be defective. Ford also has to resolve over 100 lawsuits nationwide because of fires tied to the cruise control deactivation switch. Many Ford vehicle owners claim the fires began after the vehicles were turned off; there have been three deaths attributed to that problem in Iowa, Georgia, and Arkansas. Last week, Ford successfully consolidated 77 lawsuits filed in Texas so that a single judge can handle pre-trial discovery. According to Ford, it claims its internal investigations revealed the fires did not cause deaths and injuries. "In the cases where there was that allegation, we found that the source of the fire was unrelated to the vehicle," said Ford spokeswoman Kristen Kinley.

Ford Issues Recall for Faulty Cruise Control Switch -- Again

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The Ford cruise control switch recall just won’t end. Ford Motor Company has announced that it is recalling 225,000 vehicles due to faulty wiring in the cruise control mechanism. All of the cars included in this recall have been subject to previous Ford cruise control switch recalls, but now, Ford is saying that the wiring used to fix the defective cruise control switches is itself faulty.

Since 1999, Ford has recalled more than 10 million vehicles because of a faulty cruise control switch that could cause a vehicle to erupt in flames even when it was turned off and parked. The Ford cruise control switch recalls have now covered every single car and truck built with this type of cruise control switch. Since Ford first started using this particular type of cruise control switch in 1992, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has documented at least 600 fires attributed to the defective component.

Ford vehicles covered by the new recall include the gasoline-powered 1992 to 2003 Econoline, 1992 to 1998 Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis, 1993 Bronco, 1995 to 1997 F series pick up, 1993 F series pick up, the 1993 to 1995 Taurus SHO and the 1992 to 1995 Town Car. According to Consumer Affairs.com, Ford initially repaired the defect in the vehicles by installing a wiring harness around the switch. But now it appears the fix is not working, as the wiring harnesses contain an improperly placed fuse which does not offer sufficient protection if there is an electrical short circuit.

This new recall is only the latest disaster involving the Ford cruise control recall. According to Consumer Affairs, Ford has been unable to buy or manufacture enough parts to repair all of the vehicles involved in the enormous recall process. Ford initially promised parts would be available to repair all of the vehicles by October 2007, but that has yet to happen. As a result, many Ford car and truck owners are still waiting for their dealer to find the parts needed to repair the fire hazard. While they await the cruise control repairs, Ford has recommended that car and truck owners have their Ford dealer disconnect the faulty switch. But even with this precaution, Consumer Affairs estimated that more than 1.8 million Ford cars and trucks remain at risk of erupting into flames since the company issued the last cruise control recall in August 2007.

This is disturbing, because a fire from a faulty Ford cruise control switch can have devastating consequences. Shortly before the August 2007 recall, Ford settled a lawsuit filed by an Iowa man whose wife died in a car fire in 2005. Earl Mohlis claimed that the switch on his 1996 Ford F-150 truck was responsible for the fire that killed his 74-year-old wife Dolly. The lawsuit said that Dolly woke to the smell of smoke in May 2005. As her husband went outside to investigate, she stayed in their home to call 911. He found the truck on fire in their garage. High winds that night fanned the flames, and Dolly was trapped in the home. Though Ford settled the Mohlis lawsuit, the company will not admit responsibility for the fire. Other Ford owners have lost their homes from cruise control fires that started as their Ford cars or trucks were parked in garages.

Because of these horrendous disasters, some Ford dealers now require customers who decline to disconnect the cruise control system to sign a waiver of liability.

Ford Cruise Control Recall Led Year of Record Vehicle Recalls

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Vehicles recalls increased more than 25 percent in 2007. Overall, 14.2 million vehicles were recalled last year, up from 11.2 million in 2006, according to preliminary figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The increase is mainly due to Ford Motor Co., which recalled 5.5 million vehicles in 2007. Most of the Ford recalls where due to a cruise-control-deactivation switch problem the automaker has been dealing with for years. GM also recalled 537,992 vehicles as of December 21st, Honda Motor Co. recalled 547,215 vehicles, and Volkswagen of America recalled 1.5 million vehicles, mostly by expanding a parts recalls used in multiple vehicles. Final recall figures won't be available until later this month.

"It can take several years for defects to show up," said Sean Kane, president of Safety Research and Strategy Inc., a Massachusetts-based vehicle-safety analysis and advocacy firm. "Cars are lasting longer. Twenty years ago, you were lucky if a car made it to 100,000 miles. Today, that's the expectation.” Ford spokesman Dan Jarvis said, "The vast majority of vehicles recalled were older models introduced a decade ago or even earlier.” In August, Ford recalled 3.6 million vehicles built between 1992 and 2004 because of a cruise-control switch linked to engine fires. Since 1999, Ford has recalled 10.4 million vehicles with the switch, the largest U.S. recall ever for a single defective part.

GM had 18 recall campaigns in 2007 covering 537,992 vehicles in all. Volkswagen of America has had a major jump in recalls in the last two years, largely because of a single defective part used across many vehicles. The recalls this year included 790,000 vehicles for a faulty brake-light switch. The part, used in several vehicles, was from a single supplier and shows how extensive a recall from one faulty part can be, VW spokesman Keith Price said.

Last month, Nissan North America recalled 696,600 Altima and Sentra sedans that had a faulty engine part that could overheat and cause the engine to stall. But perhaps the biggest news among Asian automakers was the problems Toyota Motor Corp. had with reliability and recalls. The Japanese company this month recalled about 10 percent of its Tundra pickup trucks and earlier this year recalled more than 500,000 of its Sequoia SUVs. These recalls are significant because Toyota has been pushing hard to break into the highly profitable large-vehicle market. In October, Consumer Reports demoted Toyota to third from first in its vehicle reliability rankings, dropping the Camry, Tundra, and Lexus GS from its list of recommended vehicles. Consumer Reports said it would no longer automatically recommend redesigned Toyota vehicles. "This is a big issue for us," Toyota spokesman Bill Kwong said, adding that Toyota CEO Katsuaki Watanabe has made it his highest priority to restore quality. The first vehicle to go through the more rigorous "Customer First" process is the Toyota Highlander SUV, which has experienced no recalls to date. Kwong said the company has hired more engineers and built more prototypes prior to launching vehicles.

Latest Ford Recall Issued After Engine Defect Linked to 14 Accidents

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Yet another Ford recall was announced last week for more than 1 million trucks, SUVs and vans. Ford said it issued the recall because of a defect that could cause the engines of these vehicles to unexpectedly stall and lead to a possible crash. According to Ford, there have been 14 reports of sudden accidents related to this defect. This is the second massive Ford recall since August, when the company recalled millions of other vehicles because of a faulty cruise control switch.

The Ford recall encompasses 1.2 million trucks, SUVs and vans from the 1997-2003 model years with 7.3 liter diesel engines. The recall includes Ford E-Series van, Excursion full-size sport utility vehicle, and F-450 Super Duty and F-550 Super Duty trucks. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the camshaft position sensor - an electrical component that helps regulate the fuel going into the engine- located on the engine could function intermittently and lead to an engine stall and potential crash.

While fourteen accidents have been caused by the defective Ford engines, so far, no one has been injured. A Ford spokesperson told the Associated Press that in the event of an engine stall, drivers traveling in the recalled Ford vehicles at speeds greater than 30 miles per hour would have full power steering and power braking, allowing them to pull over to the side of the road. At speeds below 30 mph, the motorists would still have braking and steering functions, the spokesperson said.

Ford said that owners of the recalled vehicles will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer to have their vehicles inspected, and if necessary repaired. There will be no charge to owners for this service. The notifications for this latest Ford recall will be sent in phased mailings between mid-Dec and end of May, Ford said.

This is the second Ford recall since August, when the company recalled 3.6 million vehicles because a faulty cruise control switch could be a fire hazard. The same problem with the cruise control switch was responsible for a recall of 6 million cars, trucks, SUV and vans in January 2005. At the time of the August recall, Ford said that it had received reports of a "few" fires, though it would not confirm exactly how many such reports there had been. However, since the cruise control switch was first used by Ford in 1992, the NHTSA has documented 600 fires

In regards to the cruise control recall, Ford said that it was responding to customer concerns, and denied that the cruise control switches posed a hazard. But over the past decade, Ford has recalled 10 million vehicles because of concerns that the cruise control switch can cause fires. The Ford cruise control recalls have now covered every single car and truck built with this switch.

Faulty Ford Cruise Control Switch Sparks Massive Vehicle Recall

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The Ford Motor Company is recalling 3.6 million more vehicles because a faulty cruise control switch could be a fire hazard. The same problem with the cruise control switch was responsible for a recall of 6 million cars, trucks, SUV and vans in January 2005.

The recall covers more than a dozen different Ford vehicles built between 1992 and 2004. The new recall includes the following vehicles: Ford Rangers, 1998-2002; Lincoln Town Car, 1992-1997; Ford Crown Victoria, 1992-1997; Mercury Grand Marquis, 1992-1997; Lincoln Mark VIII, 1993-1998; Taurus SHO, 1993-1995; Ford Explorer and Mercury Montaineer, 1999-2001; Ford Explorer Sport, 2001-2001; Ford Explorer Sport Trac, 2001-2002; E150-350 Vans, 1992-1993 and 1997- 2002; 1993 Ford F –Series pickups; 1993 Ford Bronco; 1994 Mercury Capris; Ford F-150 Lightning 2003-2004 and Ford F53 Motor Homes, 1995-2002.

The company said that it had received reports of a “few” fires, although it is not saying how many. Ford said that it was responding to customer concerns, and has denied that the cruise control switches pose a hazard. But over the past decade, Ford has recalled 10 million vehicles because of concerns that the cruise control switch can cause fires. The recalls have now covered every single car and truck built with this switch.

Ford recently settled a lawsuit filed by an Iowa man whose wife died in a car fire two years ago. Earl Mohlis claims that in 2005, the switch on his 1996 Ford F-150 truck was responsible for the fire that killed his 74-year-old wife Dolly. The lawsuit said that Dolly woke to the smell of smoke in May 2005. As her husband went outside to investigate, she stayed in their home to call 911. He found the truck on fire in their garage. High winds that night fanned the flames, and Dolly was trapped in the home. Though Ford settled the Mohlis lawsuit, the company will not admit responsibility for the fire.

In 2005, the television network CNN produced several investigative reports into the Ford cruise control switch. The investigations found that a tiny switch in the cruise control system could cause the vehicles to catch fire, even after they had been turned off for several hours.

Ford says that media reports of the cruise control problem have caused concern among people with the vehicles. It was such concern that sparked this round of recalls, and the company denies that Ford vehicles with this switch have a higher than normal chance of fires. But since the cruise control switch was first used by Ford in 1992, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has documented 600 fires.

Despite Recall, Problem SUV's Remain Unrepaired

Fri, 25 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0700

One of the biggest automotive recalls in US history came several months ago aimed at stopping unexpected fires from millions of ford trucks and SUV’s. Friday, the CBS4 I-Team revealed that more than half could still be on the road with the original problem.

Ford Motor Company confirms that despite getting its word out on its' massive recall, there could still be millions of vehicles that can potentially burst into flames because consumers simply haven't gotten the cars in for repair.

Miami-Dade fire investigators say a Tuesday afternoon blaze at a Southwest Miami Dade home started under the hood of a Ford SUV, and did about $100 thousand in damage, even threatening the residents' nearby home.

"He parked the car and went to bed and a few hours later he heard an explosion," Eric Baum, a Miami-Dade fire investigator told CBS4 Consumer Investigator Al Sunshine.

“The fire originated in the engine compartment area. From there it spread to include both the entire vehicle, the roof around it, and the exterior of the house.”

The 6 year SUV was so badly burned investigators weren't even sure initially what it was.

The owner said he purchased it used, about 4 months ago.

After local investigators began examining the charred wreckage, this fire started receiving a lot more attention.

Ford motor company confirms the 2000 expedition which caught fire is apparently one of the 4.5 million ford trucks and SUV’s recalled over the past year to correct a problem blamed for some 60 engine fires nationwide.

Ford told CBS4 that approximately 40% of the recalled vehicles, as many as 1.8 million trucks and SUV’s, have been taken to dealers for needed repairs.

That still leaves an estimated 2.7 million others with a known cruise control electrical problem capable of causing fires even when the vehicles are turned off.

In a statement to CBS4 News, Ford spokesperson Kristen Kinley wrote,
"The potential for fire is small, however, the best action for customers is to have their dealer perform the repair as soon as possible."

Ford and federal safety officials warn all current owners to be especially aware of a series of problems, which include:

Cruise Control Inoperable
Vehicle won't shift out of park
Rear Brake lamps inoperative
Brake fluid leaks at the switch
Unexpected Battery failure
Flashing ABS warning light
Brake System Fuse failures

Ford said it is trying to track down all of the owners of the vehicles, whether they purchased them new or used. However, when a recall is ordered, it remains the responsibility of the consumer to make the vehicle available for repair.

Ford Recall

Thu, 27 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Owners of nearly four million Ford trucks and SUV's have cause for concern today.

Federal investigators want to know more about a defect that causes some of the vehicles to burst into flames.

Sharon Dworcyak, Ford Owner said, "We heard a boom and we looked out the window and saw the fire."

Explosions like those got the attention, not only of Ford owners, but of Government investigators as well.

Several hundred Ford Pickups and SUV's have mysteriously caught fire.

Investigators believe the problem is here: a faulty cruise-control switch under the hood of Ford F-150 Pickups, Expeditions, and Navigators.

Clarence Ditlow - Center for Auto Safety said, "This is one of the more dangerous defects that we have seen because what happens is it can strike when the vehicle is turned of parked in your garage at night and set the house on fire."

Ford has already recalled the entire 2000 model line of those vehicles to replace the switch. But that has not resolved the problem.

As recently as this month, there's been a report of another vehicle fire in a model year not covered by the recall. Kenneth Bankhead's 1999 Expedition caught fire in the family's garage. He says he tried to get that switch replaced, well before the fire.

Kenneth Bankhead - Ford Owner said, "I called 3 Ford dealerships in the Houston area, they told me the 99 Ford Expeditions were not covered by the recall."

As a result of incidents like this, the government probe has expanded.

Investigators are now looking at 3.7 million trucks and SUV's made in the mid 90s thru 2002.

Consumer groups say the investigation needs to go even further, to review all vehicles that have that same switch or similar ones.

Ford says its not clear that all those switches are suspect and it's working closely with the government to try to figure out what's causing the fires.

Mounting Number of Fires Linked to Faulty Switch Forces Ford to Recall 3.8 Million SUVs and Light Trucks

Thu, 08 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700

In a short letter (http://199.79.180.162/prepos/files/Artemis/Public/Recalls/2005/V/RCDNN-05V388-9228.PDF) to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Director of Ford Motor Company’s Automotive Safety Office announced a major recall involving some 3.8 million vehicles.

As required by federal regulations (49 CFR Part 573) the letter was accompanied by a detailed report describing the history and scope of the problem.

Although the attached report includes the acknowledgement that there have been allegations that “three deaths” and other injuries have been linked to fires caused by the faulty switch, Ford strongly denies the connection.

The recall actually expands upon one already in operation and being monitored by the NHTSA (http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/results.cfm); however, it marks the first time that the giant automaker itself has openly acknowledged the seriousness and massive scope of the problem.

Only last month, Ralph Nader demanded the NHTSA alert vehicle owners to the potential fire hazard in numerous models of Ford and Lincoln SUVs and trucks. Nader wrote to Jeffrey Runge, head of NHTSA, insisting he issue a public warning about "life-threatening hazards" from a faulty cruise control switch in those vehicles.

At that point, Ford was in the process of recalling about 750,000 Ford F-150s, Expeditions, and Lincoln Navigators manufactured in 2000.

That recall was to replace cruise control switches which may catch fire in the above mentioned vehicles. The NHTSA, however, was continuing its investigation to determine whether the same fire hazard exists in another 4 million Ford SUVs and light trucks.

The government investigation, which began in March, involves F-150 pickups manufactured from the 1995 to 1999 and 2001 to 2002 and Ford Expeditions and Lincoln Navigator models from 1997 to 1999 and 2001 to 2002.
The NHTSA has received more than 550 complaints of engine fires as a result of the cruise control switch in the Ford models.

The most dramatic case wherein one of these faulty switches has been blamed for a serious fire is the one involving the Mohlis family.

As we previously reported, after 911 was called, 74-year-old Darletta Mohlis died in an attempt to escape from her burning house. Her three children and husband, Earl, are suing the Ford Motor Company in a wrongful death action claiming a faulty cruise-control deactivation switch on Mr. Mohlis’s 1996 Ford F-150 pickup truck caused the fatal fire.

In its ongoing investigation of fires linked to faulty cruise control shut off switches in Ford vehicles, CNN has already reported that despite the fact that Ford is aware of 16 million 1992 to 2003 vehicles at risk, only slightly over one million have been recalled.

The switch (manufactured for Ford by Texas Instruments) costs $20.57 and has already being linked to 559 fires reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Many of these fires have completely destroyed the vehicle. In this case, however, Mrs. Mohlis died when her entire house burned down after the family pickup truck caught fire while parked in the garage.

The fires are spontaneous and often occur when the ignition switch is off and the key removed. This is because Ford designed the switch to remain on or “hot” at all times. When a crack develops in the film (supplied by Dupont) separating the brake fluid from the electrical circuit, the leak will cause a fire.

Since May 1999, Ford has recalled a total of 1,071,000 vehicles in two separate recalls. CNN reports, however, that a document it has obtained shows Ford is aware that it installed a total of 16 million of the switches between 1992 and 2003 in the following vehicles:

·    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

In March 2005, the NHTSA opened an expanded investigation into more than 3.7 million of these vehicles. Ford, however, chose not to recall all of the vehicles arguing that the switch has performed well for years in most vehicle models.

As a result, Ford has limited their recalls to those models “with an increasing fire rate report.” A recent recall notice was clear as to the risk, however. Ford stopped using the switch last year in favor of a new design.
In the case involving the Mohlis family, inspections of the truck and fire scene have been performed by two experts hired by the family’s attorney, officials from the NHTSA, and inspectors from Ford.

The family’s experts, an electrical engineer and a certified fire investigator, believe the switch caused the fire. Ford claims the fire started elsewhere and spread to the truck and the switch had nothing to do with the fire. The NHTSA has made no public statement as to its investigation or findings. Mr. Mohlis stated the truck had been parked in the garage and shut off for four days before the fire.

The mounting pressure from consumer advocates (like Nader), the steady stream of reports of fires linked to the very same switch, the ongoing NHTSA investigation, and consistently bad publicity related to this issue (like CNN’s investigative reports) probably played a role in Ford’s belated acknowledgment that there is, indeed, a serious problem and its not going to go away.

The recall is the fourth largest for Ford and, according to NHTSA spokesman Rae Tyson, the fifth largest auto recall in the nation's history behind: (1)1996, Ford recalled 7.9 million vehicles for faulty ignitions; (2)1971, GM recalled 6.7 million vehicles for engine failure; (3)1981, GM recalled 5.8 million vehicles for a rear axle problem; and (4)1972, Ford recalled 4.1 million vehicles for a shoulder-belt problem.

The NHTSA announcement describes the remedy as follows:

“AS AN INTERIM REPAIR, OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED. AS SOON AS REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED MID-OCTOBER 2005), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 12, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.”

Ford’s recall number is 05S28. Customers can also contact the NHTSA directly through its Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-3274236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or by going to http://www.safecaar.gov.

Ford Recalls 3.8 Million Pickups, SUVs

Wed, 07 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Ford Motor Co. on Wednesday recalled 3.8 million pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles for a cruise control switch suspected of causing engine fires.

It is the fifth largest auto industry recall in U.S. history.

Ford said the recall of 1994-2002 model-year vehicles includes the company's hot-selling F-150 pickup truck, Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator and Ford Broncos. The company said it would start sending out recall notices to vehicle owners immediately.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the No. 2 U.S.-based automaker have been investigating complaints of engine fires linked to the switch.

NHTSA has received more than 550 complaints of engine fires from the cruise control switch. There have been allegations of three deaths in cases cited in news reports or lawsuits in Iowa, Georgia and Arkansas.

The affected vehicles include: 1994-2002 model F-150s, 1997-2002 Expeditions, 1998-2002 Navigators and 1994-1996 Broncos equipped with factory-installed speed control.

"We have a solution that fixes the problem and we're confident that this is going to be the right remedy," said Ford spokeswoman Kristen Kinley.

Ralph Nader Demands NHTSA Issue Warning about Potential Electrical Fire Hazard in 3.7 Million Ford Trucks and SUVs

Tue, 30 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Ralph Nader has demanded the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) alert vehicle owners to a potential fire hazard in numerous models of Ford and Lincoln SUVs and trucks.

Nader wrote to Jeffrey Runge, head of NHTSA, insisting he issue a public warning about "life-threatening hazards" from a faulty cruise control switch in those vehicles.

The auto manufacturer is currently recalling about 750,000 Ford F-150s, Expeditions, and Lincoln Navigators manufactured in 2000.

While the current recall will replace cruise control switches, which may catch fire in the above mentioned vehicles, the NHTSA is continuing its investigation to determine whether the same fire hazard exists in as many as 3.7 million additional automobiles.

The government investigation, which began in March, involves F-150 pickups manufactured from the 1995 to 1999 and 2001 to 2002 and Ford Expeditions and Lincoln Navigator models from 1997 to 1999 and 2001 to 2002.
The NHTSA has received more than 550 complaints of engine fires as a result of the cruise control switch in the Ford models.

As previously reported in newsinferno.com, after 911 was called, 74-year-old Darletta Mohlis died in an attempt to escape from her burning house. Her three children and husband, Earl, are suing the Ford Motor Company in a wrongful death action claiming a faulty cruise-control deactivation switch on Mr. Mohlis’s 1996 Ford F-150 pickup truck caused the fatal fire.

In its ongoing investigation of fires linked to faulty cruise control shut off switches in Ford vehicles, CNN has already reported that despite the fact that Ford is aware of 16 million 1992 to 2003 vehicles at risk, only slightly over one million have been recalled.

The switch (manufactured for Ford by Texas Instruments) costs $20.57 and has already being linked to 559 fires reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Many of these fires have completely destroyed the vehicle. In this case, however, Mrs. Mohlis died when her entire house burned down after the family pickup truck caught fire while parked in the garage.

The fires are spontaneous and often occur when the ignition switch is off and the key removed. This is because Ford designed the switch to remain on or “hot” at all times. When a crack develops in the film (supplied by Dupont) separating the brake fluid from the electrical circuit, the leak will cause a fire.

Since May 1999, Ford has recalled a total of 1,071,000 vehicles in two separate recalls. CNN reports, however, that a document it has obtained shows Ford is aware that it installed a total of 16 million of the switches between 1992 and 2003 in the following vehicles:

•    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

In March 2005, the NHTSA opened an expanded investigation into more than 3.7 million of these vehicles. Ford, however, has chosen not to recall all of the vehicles arguing that the switch has performed well for years in most vehicle models.

As a result, Ford has limited their recalls to those models “with an increasing fire rate report.” A recent recall notice was clear as to the risk, however. Ford stopped using the switch last year in favor of a new design.
In the case involving the Mohlis family, inspections of the truck and fire scene have been performed by two experts hired by the family’s attorney, officials from the NHTSA, and inspectors from Ford.

The family’s experts, an electrical engineer and a certified fire investigator, believe the switch caused the fire. Ford claims the fire started elsewhere and spread to the truck and the switch had nothing to do with the fire. The NHTSA has made no public statement as to its investigation or findings.

Mr. Mohlis stated the truck had been parked in the garage and shut off for four days before the fire.

Similar Fires Spark Probe Targeting Vehicle Part

Wed, 17 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0700

A Monday evening fire that heavily damaged a Morton-Pulliam Road residence (see related story on this page) may have been the result of a faulty vehicle part.

According to Ceffo Volunteer Fire Department Deputy Chief Doug Robinson, the fire at the home of Robert and Karla Tuck started in a 2001 Ford Expedition, which was parked in the home's attached carport.

"The highest heat was in and around the left front fender of the vehicle in the vicinity of the fuse box," Robinson said. "I will say that the point of origin is in the vicinity of that box. If I were asked, I would say the vehicle caused the house to burn…It definitely started in the vicinity of that fuse box."

The fire spread from the vehicle upward into the ceiling of the carport and then into the attic of the home.

In March, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) launched an investigation to research speed control deactivation switches (SCDS) on some Ford products. The products to be investigated included 1997-2002 model year Expeditions/Navigators as well as Ford F-150 trucks produced in model years 1995 through 2002.

The SCDS, which costs just over $20 and which is no longer used by Ford, shuts off the cruise control when the driver firmly steps on the brakes. The switch is located under the hood of the vehicle and is attached to the master cylinder on one end and wired to the cruise control on the other.

According to a recent CNN report, Ford designed the SCDS to be powered, or "hot," at all times on most of its models even when the vehicle is off and the key is removed from the ignition.

Inside the switch, a thin film barrier separates brake fluid from the switch's electrical components, according to the CNN report. Fires can occur when the film cracks and brake fluid from the master cylinder seeps into the electrical side of the switch.

While Robinson said he believed the fire began near the fuse box area of the vehicle at the Morton-Pulliam Road residence, he stopped short of saying the SCDS was the cause in this instance.

"I can't say what caused it," Robinson said. "But, something caused it to burst into flames. Something got energy and power from some place to cause that fire.

"We did not investigate any further because we are not technically qualified to point to that cruise control switch," Robinson added.

The insurance company, according to Robinson, will focus on the exact cause of the vehicle fire.

NHTSA told CNN in July that it had received 559 complaints of spontaneous fires, 253 of them in unrecalled models.

According to the ODI report, the SCDS can develop a short circuit, which results in an engine compartment fire while the vehicle is parked.

Robinson noted that the vehicle at the Tuck residence had been parked under the carport for more than an hour before the fire broke out.

Ford announced in January that it was recalling certain model year 2000 Ford F-150 trucks as well as Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators due to an extremely high SCDS failure rate when compared with other vehicles using the same switch.

"The circumstance was due to unknown causes," the ODI report read. "Because the root cause remains unclear and because other substantially similar vehicles using the same switch have much lower switch failures and engine compartment fire rates, both Ford and NHTSA continue to actively investigate the issue."

According to a published report on CNN last month, a similar incident happened earlier this year in Kissimmee, Fla.

A 2001 Ford Expedition reportedly caught fire in a garage and the house and its contents were a total loss.

According to the CNN story, a fire investigator, hired by the homeowner's insurance company, said the blaze was caused by the SCDS.

Also last month, the Detroit Free Press reported that a faulty switch in a 2001 Ford F-150 was believed to be the cause of a fire on Jan. 1, 2004, which destroyed a home in Kennesaw, Ga., claiming the life of a four-year-old girl. But no definite link between the switch and that fire was actually determined because the truck was scrapped before the owners or fire investigators became aware of Ford’s recall of vehicles with that particular switch.

For its story, on the faulty switches, the Free Press quoted Jeff Morrill, a Georgia fire expert, concerning the nature of fires in which cruise-control switches were suspect.

“A key characteristic of these fires is that they go from zero to nuclear in minutes,” Morrill told the Detroit paper, “They very quickly become robust fires without any warning whatsoever.”

Switch Suspected Of Causing SUV Fires

Wed, 27 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Some of the most popular trucks and SUVs on the road have a part that's suspected of causing hundreds of fires.

KIRO 7 Eyewitness News Consumer Investigator Wayne Havrelly says some of those fires burned right here in Western Washington.

I've met several people who experienced these fires.

They all say what happened to them doesn't seem real. Their SUVs were parked with the engines off, but for some reason, the vehicles were consumed by fire.

Chris Boyd feels fortunate his family is safe. His '98 Ford Expedition burst into flames in his driveway. It had been parked with the engine off for three hours.

"My horn started going off. I looked out the window and there was no fire, but by the time we got from the fourth floor down to the ground floor the car was engulfed in eight-foot flames," Boyd said.

The same thing happened to Valerie Mitchell when she parked her '98 Expedition outside a Kirkland grocery store.

"(I) went into the grocery store. I was in there about five minutes and I came out, and my truck was on fire," said Mitchell.

It turns out the feds are investigating over 520 complaints of Ford trucks and SUVs catching fire, possibly because of a faulty switch that shuts off the cruise control when you hit the brake pedal.

That switch has already led to a safety recall on 2000 model year Expeditions, F-150's and Lincoln Navigators.

The feds recently expanded the investigation to include some 3.7 million Ford trucks and SUVs, ranging in model years from 1995 to 2002.

Local fire department investigators couldn't determine what caused Boyd's and Mitchell's Ford trucks to burn.

However, since Chris Boyd's charred vehicle was still in his driveway, we hired an independent investigator who specializes in electrical fires to take a look.

"I see copper melting on this side down low, and I see aluminum damage to the front driver's wheel that I don't see on the passenger side," said Doug Gottshall, a fire investigator.

Gottshall said the fire appears to have started somewhere below the steering column, which is exactly where the cruise control switch in question is located.

The actual switch was incinerated in the fire, so in this case, it's tough to pinpoint how those flames first erupted.

If it wasn't for a quick response from the fire dept. Boyd says his home would have gone up in flames.

A home in Iowa home burned when a 1996 F-150 truck caught fire in the garage. A woman died and her family has filed this wrongful death lawsuit against Ford.

There's already a flurry of lawsuits against Ford on this issue, including one right here in Washington.

Ford officials tell me they're "working closely with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration but it's been an extremely complex and challenging investigation.

They point out what you've already seen: These fires have a tendency to burn evidence.

"I feel like I want to tell everybody to go out there and get your Fords checked out, especially if it's a model like this," said Chris Boyd.

In 2004, Ford started using a newly-designed cruise control deactivation switch. We paid $23 for it at a local Ford dealership.

Mechanics tell me many Ford truck owners are not waiting for possible future recalls. They're already buying the switches and replacing them on their own.

IOWA MAN SUES FORD, TEXAS INSTRUMENTS, AND DUPONT CLAIMING FAULTY ELECTRICAL SWITCH CAUSED FIRE THAT KILLED HIS WIFE AND BURNED DOWN HIS HOME

Thu, 30 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0700

After calling 911, 74-year-old Darletta Mohlis died attempting to escape from her burning house. Now, her three children and husband, Earl, are suing the Ford Motor Company in a wrongful death action claiming a faulty cruise-control deactivation switch on Mr. Mohlis’s 1996 Ford F-150 pickup truck caused the fatal fire.

In its ongoing investigation of fires linked to faulty cruise control shut off switches in Ford vehicles, CNN has already reported that despite the fact that Ford is aware of 16 million 1992 to 2003 vehicles at risk, only slightly over one million have been recalled.

The switch (manufactured for Ford by Texas Instruments) costs $20.57 and has already being linked to 559 fires reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Many of these fires have completely destroyed the vehicle. In this case, however, Mrs. Mohlis died when her entire house burned down after the family pickup truck caught fire while parked in the garage.

The fires are spontaneous and often occur when the ignition switch is off and the key removed. This is because Ford designed the switch to remain on or “hot” at all times. When a crack develops in the film (supplied by Dupont) separating the brake fluid from the electrical circuit, the leak will cause a fire.

Since May 1999, Ford has recalled a total of 1,071,000 vehicles in two separate recalls. CNN reports, however, that a document it has obtained shows Ford is aware that it installed a total of 16 million of the switches between 1992 and 2003 in the following vehicles:

•   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

In March 2005, the NHTSA opened an expanded investigation into more than 3.7 million of these vehicles. Ford, however, has chosen not to recall all of the vehicles arguing that the switch has performed well for years in most vehicle models.

As a result, Ford has limited their recalls to those models “with an increasing fire rate report.” A recent recall notice was clear as to the risk, however. Ford stopped using the switch last year in favor of a new design.
In the case of the Mohlis family’s truck, inspections of the truck and fire scene have been performed by two experts hired by the family’s attorney, officials from the NHTSA, and inspectors from Ford.

The family’s experts, an electrical engineer and a certified fire investigator, believe the switch caused the fire. Ford claims the fire started elsewhere and spread to the truck and the switch had nothing to do with the fire. The NHTSA has made no public statement as to its investigation or findings.

Mr. Mohlis states the truck had been parked in the garage and shut off for four days before the fire.

INTERNAL FORD DOCUMENT SHOWS 16 MILLION VEHICLES REMAIN EQUIPPED WITH FAULTY ELECTRICAL SWITCH ALREADY RESPONSIBLE FOR 559 FIRES

Fri, 17 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0700

In its ongoing investigation of fires linked to faulty cruise control shut off switches in Ford vehicles, CNN is reporting that despite the fact that Ford is aware of 16 million 1992 to 2003 vehicles at risk, only slightly over one million have been recalled.

The switch in question only costs $20.57, yet is already being linked to 559 fires reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Many of these fires have completely destroyed the vehicle and, in one case, an entire house burned down when the family car caught fire while parked in the garage.

The fires are spontaneous and often occur when the ignition switch is off and the key removed. This is because Ford designed the switch to remain on or “hot” at all times. When a crack develops in the film separating the brake fluid from the electrical circuit, the leak will cause a fire.

Since May 1999, Ford has recalled a total of 1,071,000 vehicles in two separate recalls. CNN reports, however, that a document it has obtained shows Ford is aware that it installed a total of 16 million of the switches between 1992 and 2003 in the following vehicles:

•   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

In March 2005, the NHTSA opened an expanded investigation into more than 3.7 million of these vehicles. Ford, however, has chosen not to recall all of the vehicles arguing that the switch has performed well for years in most vehicle models. As a result, Ford has limited their recalls to those models “with an increasing fire rate report.” A recent recall notice was clear as to the risk, however.

Ford stopped using the switch last year in favor of a new design.

Ford Cruise Control Switch Defect Injury Attorneys

Fri, 17 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Ford Cruise Control Switch

Ford Cruise Control Switch Sparks Another Recall
In August 2007, due to defective cruise control switches the Ford Motor Company recalled 3.6 million more cars, trucks, SUVs and vans. The new action brought the total number of Ford vehicles recalled as a result of the defective cruise control switch to 10 million. The Ford cruise control switch recalls have now covered every single car and truck built with this type of cruise control switch. Just prior to the 2007 recall, Ford settled a lawsuit filed by an Iowa man who said his wife died as a result of a fire started by a defective cruise control switch. The husband of Dolly Mohlis claimed that she became trapped by a fire in their home that started in the 1996 Ford F-150 truck parked in the garage. Though Ford settled the Mohlis lawsuit, the company continues to deny that the cruise control switch caused the fire. Ford also claims that its vehicles with the cruise control switch do not have a greater fire risk than other vehicles. But since the cruise control switch was first used by Ford in 1992, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has documented 600 fires.

Ford's 2006 Faulty Cruise Control Switch Recall
On August 3, 2006 Ford Motor Company initiated a recall of 1.2 million trucks; sport utility vehicles and vans in the United States due to a defective speed control deactivation switch that can cause fires. This recall includes F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 trucks from the 1994- 2002 model years, Econoline vans from 1994-1996 model years, E-450 trucks from the 1996-2002 model years, Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer SUVs from 1998 model year and Excursion SUVs from 2000-2002 model years.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration started investigating this issue in March 2005. According to the NHTSA, investigators said the deactivation switch, made by Texas Instruments, could develop an internal short circuit that could result in an engine compartment fire while the vehicle is parked and the ignition off.

2005 Recall of Ford's with Defective Cruise Control Switches
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating more than 3.7 million Ford pickups and sport-utility vehicles because of a defect in the cruise control switch. The probe includes Ford F-150 pickups 1995-99 and 2001-02 model years, Ford Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators from 1997-99 and 2001-02. All of these model Fords have the defective cruise control switch.

The family of an Iowa woman killed in a house fire last month sued Ford Motor Co., claiming a problem with the family's garaged F-150 pickup caused the blaze. An investigation showed the fire started in the pickups cruise control deactivation switch and spread through the family's garage into their home.

The defective switch has already being linked to 559 fires reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The fires are spontaneous and often occur when the ignition switch is off and the key removed. Ford designed the switch to remain on or “hot” at all times. When a crack develops in the film separating the brake fluid from the electrical circuit, the leak will cause a fire.

Since May 1999, Ford has recalled a total of 1,071,000 vehicles in two separate recalls. CNN reports, however, that a document it has obtained shows Ford is aware that it installed a total of 16 million of the switches between 1992 and 2003 in the following vehicles: •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.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective Ford cruise control switch, please fill out the form at the right for a free case evaluation by a qualified product liability attorney.