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Blazing Switches Trigger Massive Ford Recall

Cruise-control fires start even with engines off

By Peter Fearon, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 15, 2007 11:56 PM CDT

(Newser) – Ford is recalling 3.6 million vehicles with cruise-control switches that have caused fires even with the engine off, CNN reports. The company recently settled a lawsuit in the death of a woman killed in her home after her husband said their Ford pickup burst into flames in the garage.

Since the cruise-control switch was introduced in 1992, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has documented more than 600 blazes. Ford "could not be confident about the long-term durability of these switches," said a company spokesman in announcing the recall. Ford denies the recalled cars and trucks have "higher than normal" incidents of fire.

A long line of unsold 2007 F-150 pickup trucks sit outside a Ford agency in the east Denver suburb of Aurora, Colo., on Sunday, July 22, 2007. Job cuts, slimmer losses in North America and good sales... (Associated Press)

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Blazing Switches Trigger Massive Ford Recall

Cruise-control fires start even with engines off

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2010-11 Ford Fusions and Mercury Milans affected

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Blazing Switches Trigger Massive Ford Recall

Cruise-control fires start even with engines off

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Ford Recall

fires • Ford • recall • explosion • NHTSA • cars

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Automakers Pushing 'Connected' Cars

Gizmos proliferate amid concerns on distracted driving

Ford Hawking New '67 Mustang Shells

$16K auto part lets fans build classic car from scratch

Ford Recalls 129K Cars: Wheels Might Fall Off

2010-11 Ford Fusions and Mercury Milans affected

Poll: Americans Prefer American Cars Again

Toyota recalls cost Asian automakers their reputation

Feds: Toyota Statement on Accidents 'Misleading'

Matter isn't closed, says NHTSA

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Newser By Users

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