March 26, 1999 – Ford announces vehicle campaign
DEARBORN, Mich., March 26, 1999 – In the interest
of customer safety and in keeping with its drive to become a more
consumer-focused company, Ford Motor Company is voluntarily notifying
approximately 945,000 owners of a safety recall involving speed
control cables. The recall affects certain 1998 and 1999 Ford
and Mercury cars and trucks equipped with the speed control option.
Certain vehicles may be equipped with a speed control
cable that could interfere with the speed control servo pulley
and not allow the throttle to return to idle when disengaging
the speed control. This condition could result in a stuck throttle
which could potentially cause an accident. There have been no
reports of this occurring and vehicle operation is unaffected
when the speed control is not engaged.
The following vehicles are affected:
- Approximately 567,000 1998 and 1999 Explorer
and Mountaineer vehicles
- Approximately 166,000 1998 and 1999 Ranger pickups
- Approximately 99,000 1998 and 1999 Mustangs
- Approximately 88,000 1999 Super Duty F-Series
trucks
- Approximately 25,000 1999 Super Duty F-Series
stripped chassis
This concern is the result of a quality issue with
speed control cables manufactured between certain dates.
Ford is in the process of acquiring speed control
cables to repair customers’ vehicles.
Until replacement speed control cables are available,
Ford is warning drivers not to use their speed control system.
On request, dealers also will disable the speed control system
for customers at no expense.
Owners will be notified by mail beginning March 29.
Customers may also contact Ford’s Customer Assistance Center
at 1-800-392-3673 and provide their Vehicle Identification Number
to find out if they have a vehicle included in the recall. Internet
users can visit a pilot website at http://www.recall.ford.com
to find out if they have an affected vehicle.
