Ford recalls over 225,000 cars

DETROIT (Reuters) - Wed Nov 16, 2005 - Ford Motor Co. .. said on Wednesday it is recalling more than 225,000 vehicles in the United States and Canada, including its flagship Ford Five Hundred sedan and Freestyle wagon, because of fire risks.

Vehicles involved in the recall are from the 2005 model year and include the Crown Victoria, Lincoln Town Car, Mercury Grand Marquis and Montego sedans, Ford spokeswoman Kristen Kinley said.

Ford is recalling 127,493 Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego sedans and Freestyle wagons because the straps that secure the fuel tank to the vehicle body may break, causing the fuel tank and fuel tank heat shield to drop onto the driveshaft or exhaust system, the automaker and U.S. safety regulators said.

This could cause a fuel leak and result in a fire in these vehicles, according to the Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The automaker is recalling 98,444 Crown Victoria, Lincoln Town Car and Mercury Grand Marquis sedans because on certain vehicles the battery cable may scrape on an attaching bolt and could lead to a fire.

The recall comes as Ford is trying to stem steep losses in its North American division and to improve the overall quality of its products. It also follows a high-profile recall of some of its best-selling pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles.

Ford recalled nearly 4 million vehicles in September because of the risk of engine fires.

 
 
RECALL:  2005  Ford Crown Victoria
 NHTSA Campaign Number:  05V518000

 www.nhtsa.dot.gov  

 Manufacturer FORD MOTOR CO.
 Recall Date:  NOV 07, 2005
 Potential Number Of Units Affected:    98836
 Description ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY:CABLES
 Summary ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BATTERY CABLE INCLUDES A FUSIBLE LINK THAT MAY CONTACT AND SUBSEQUENTLY CHAFE ON A #2 CROSS MEMBER ATTACHING BOLT.
 Consequence THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN HEAT DAMAGE AND COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
 Remedy DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUSIBLE LINK AND POSITION IT AWAY FROM THE CROSS MEMBER BOLT. IF THE FUSIBLE LINK HAS ALREADY CHAFED AND COPPER WIRES HAVE BEEN EXPOSED, THE FUSIBLE LINK WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673, OR LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140.
 
RECALL:  2003 - 2005  Ford Crown Victoria
 NHTSA Campaign Number:  05V206000

 www.nhtsa.dot.gov  

 Manufacturer FORD MOTOR CO.
 Recall Date:  05/09/2005
 Potential Number Of Units Affected:    132,800
 Description ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
 Summary ON CERTAIN POLICE INTERCEPTORS (CVPI) AND COMMERCIAL HEAVY DUTY (TAXI) VEHICLES, AT EXTREMELY HIGH OPERATING TEMPERATURES, THE SOUND INSULATING PANEL, LOCATED UNDER THE VEHICLE POSITIONED BETWEEN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND THE UNDERBODY, COULD SAG AND POSSIBLY CONTACT THE SURFACE OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.
 Consequence IF THIS OCCURS, THE INSULATOR MIGHT EXPERIENCE CHARRING OF THE OUTER LAYER, BURNING ODOR, OR SMOKE WHICH MAY ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A FIRE.
 Remedy DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE EXISTING DASH INSULATOR AND INSTALL A REVISED DESIGN INSULATOR PAD. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 3, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
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