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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Ford Recalls Another 4.5M Vehicles Over Fire Hazard

Faulty switch linked to decade-long problems

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(Newser) – Ford today made 4.5 million vehicles eligible for what is already its biggest recall ever. The move involves a faulty switch, an automatic cruise control deactivator made by Texas Instruments, that has been linked to at least 550 fires, mostly while the vehicles were turned off. Ford has now recalled 14 million vehicles over the last 10 years because of the problem.

The 4.5 million vehicles added today include 1.1 million 1995-2003 Windstars, along with Explorers, Econoline vans, and Super Duty Trucks. Ford’s safety analysis decided that only the Windstars were at risk for fires, but the company decided to include the other vehicles to head off consumer concerns, the Detroit News reports.

FILE - In this April 25, 2007 file photo, the Ford oval is seen on the grille of a new truck for sale in Hayward, Calif.
FILE - In this April 25, 2007 file photo, the Ford oval is seen on the grille of a new truck for sale in Hayward, Calif.   (AP Photo/Ben Margot, file)
FILE - In this July 23, 2009 file photo, Ford vehicles are loaded onto a transporter outside a Ford dealership in Miami Lakes, Fla.
FILE - In this July 23, 2009 file photo, Ford vehicles are loaded onto a transporter outside a Ford dealership in Miami Lakes, Fla.   (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, file)
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The Texas Instruments switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke or burn.
- James Vondale, director of Ford's automotive safety office

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8 comments
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cochiserocks
Oct 13, 09 4:43 PM CDT
Man - that's just the last thing you want to hear right now. Bad timing. Reply
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+1
kyleleitch
Oct 13, 09 6:04 PM CDT
Good 'ol GM. Reply
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0
ultramarine13
Oct 13, 09 7:47 PM CDT
Whoops. Reply
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Robert_Dada
Oct 13, 09 8:24 PM CDT
Look westward Americans. That sun you see setting is your empire. Reply
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+2
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bewilderbeast
Oct 14, 09 5:54 AM CDT
'Fraid so. And that whistling sound? . . .
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