JEDDAH, 28 August 2007 — Ford Middle East is supplementing its 2005 speed control deactivation system service campaign to include certain speed-control equipped Ford and Mercury vehicles in Saudi Arabia.
Up to a dozen models totaling 23,008 vehicles are being recalled. The recall is being done in order to install a fused wiring harness into the speed control electrical circuit and to replace the deactivation switch, if found to be leaking. The fused wiring harness will be installed to cut off the electrical supply to the switch in the event there is increased current due to a leaking switch, which could result in overheating and a fire under the hood.
“Ford is trying to reassure customers that may have any doubts about their vehicle to go ahead and bring it in for repair,” John Wiess, Warranty & Recall manager, National Service Department, Al-Jazirah Vehicles Agencies Co Ltd. in Riyadh told Arab News.
The models currently included in the Ford service recall campaign are the 1998-2002 Ranger, 1998-2001 Explorer, 1993-1996 Bronco, 2003-2004 F-150 Lightning, 1997-2002 Expedition, 1998-2002 Navigator, 1992-2003 E-Series 150-350, mainly used in the Kingdom as ambulances, also the 1996-2003 E-450 and 2000-2003 Excursion, 1998-2001Mountaineer, 2002-1998 Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis as well as the 1992-1998 models of the Lincoln Town Car.
“ Our dealers will notify owners to bring their cars in to have the switch replaced. The service campaign is a voluntary action initiated by Ford Motor Company and is already in effect,” said Chris Noel, Ford Middle East’s recently appointed Customer Service director. “Our dealers have been instructed to perform the necessary repairs at no extra charge to the customer,” Noel added.
“We are determined to maintain the quality and integrity of our products, and as always, the safety, satisfaction and loyalty of our customers is our top priority.”
Earlier this month Ford Motor Company in the US issued a recall for as many as 3.6 million vehicles in efforts of addressing concerns about the cruise control switch which has already lead to previous recalls based on reports of fires caused by the switch.
The service recall is also being carried out in other countries such as Mexico, Canada and Europe involving an additional 177,000 vehicles.
This is the sixth recall being made by Ford involving a total of more than 10.4 million vehicles wordwide, conducted since 1999 because of problems with the speed control system.
