Ford Recalls 9 Million Vehicles

On April 25, 1996 Ford Motor Company announced the recall of approximately nine million cars, trucks and minivans that may be equipped with a faulty ignition switch that may be responsible for causing hundreds of fires. In no case has any death or serious injury resulted from these fires.

The recall covers 1988-93 models sold in both the U.S. and Canada that Ford says, "In a very small number of vehilces, the ignition switch could cause an internal short circuit, creating the potential for overheating, smoke and possibly fire in the steering column of the vehicle." The faulty ignitions switches can cause a short circuit that may lead to a fire whether the vehicle is turned on or off.

The following models are subject to the recall:

1988-89 Ford Crown Victoria
1988-90 Ford Escort
1988-92 Ford Mustang including some early 1993 models
1988-92 Ford Thunderbird including some early 1993 models
1988-92 Ford Tempo including some early 1993 models
1988-91 Ford Aerostar
1988-91 Ford Bronco
1988-91 Ford F-Series Pickup
1988-89 Lincoln Town Car
1988-92 Mercury Cougar including some early 1993 models
1988-92 Mercury Topaz including some early 1993 models

The Ford Explorer and Taurus, and the Mercury Sable models are NOT included in the recall because they did not use the faulty ignition switch.

Owners of vehicle subject to the recall should contact their dealers to make arrangements to have the faulty ignition switch replaced free of charge. The replacement will take approximately 30-60 minutes. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

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