Ford Issues Large Recall of Pickups
Also Issues Fourth Recall of Escape SUV
By NEDRA PICKLER
.c The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (Nov. 2) - Ford Motor Co. is recalling hundreds of thousands of
1997 F-series light duty pickups that could have fuel leaks that may start a
fire.
The No. 2 automaker also has issued a fourth recall on its Escape, a small
sport utility vehicle that went on sale last summer, according to a
government list of recall agreements reached in August and announced
Wednesday.
The 709,245 recalled F-series trucks, manufactured from June 1995 to August
1997, have improperly installed mounting brackets that could rub a hole in
the front fuel line.
Ford spokesman Mike Vaughn said company experts estimate that fewer than 1
percent of the recalled vehicles would experience the problem. He said no
fires have been reported.
The Escape recall affects 800 of the SUVs with speed control cables that may
be defective.
"Sometimes when you launch a new vehicle, which is new from the ground up
like the Escape, there are minor production or systems issues that need to
be corrected,'' Vaughn said. "Our goal is to identify these issues and fix
them quickly.''
In both recalls, Ford dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any
defective parts covered. Vaughn said no injuries have been reported for
either problem.
Ford has had three other production problems with the Escapes. It recalled
some Escapes that didn't have four-wheel drive but were built with wheel
hubs used on the four-wheel drive version, others to repair steering wheels
that could come off and a third group with a cruise control mechanism that
could cause the throttle to stick.
In the latest case, the speed control cable can allow water into the cable
and cause corrosion that could result in a stuck throttle. Mazda is
recalling 606 Tributes from the 2001 model year with the same problem.
Ford also is recalling 172,770 2000 model year Taurus and Mercury Sable cars
with improper tire labels that do not include information on the vehicle
capacity weight and designated seating capacity. Those vehicles were
produced from May 1999 to July 2000.
An additional 7,800 Tauruses and Sables built from May to August 2000 are
being recalled for faulty child safety-seat anchor latches. The anchor may
not hold the seat in position during an accident, which would increasing the
child's risk of injury.
General Motors Corp. also had recalls included on the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration's list. The automaker is recalling 14,276 of
the 1998 model year GMC Sonoma, Chevrolet Blazer and Chevrolet S10 with
daytime running lights that do not comply with U.S. regulations.
GM also is recalling 580 Chevrolet Monte Carlos and Impalas with faulty air
bags that may not deploy in a crash.
GM said no one has been hurt because of the problems. Dealers will fix both
problems at no cost to the customer.
Greg
95 Dakota Sport CC v6 5spd
Rahway NJ
ICQ: 283886
http://24.6.89.18/dakota/dodge.htm
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