2005 through 2008 Mustangs are the latest Fords to be recalled, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is also admonishing owners of other Fords to return their cars to dealers for a redo of an earlier recall.
The Mustangs are being recalled to reprogram the airbag control module. According to the NHTSA, small stature women who have the seat fully forward and are, additionally, so foolish that they’re not wearing a seatbelt have “increased potential for a neck injury.” A total of 434,593 Mustangs are being recalled.
Meantime, NHTSA is after 4.6 million Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln owners who have, so far, ignored an earlier recall to fix a fire hazard resulting from a potentially faulty cruise control switch. 5 million Ford owners have responded to the campaign, barely above 50%. The vehicles involved are certain 1992 through 2004 models.
Although the size of the recall means that some dealers may not presently have the required parts in stock, dealers will disconnect the potentially faulty switch – usually on the spot, if the owner simply drives the car into the service department – until the part can be replaced.
The complete list
Trucks: 1997-2002 Expedition 1998-2002 Navigator 2002-2003 Blackwood 1993-1996 Bronco 2000-2003 Excursion (built prior to 11/4/02) 1992-2003 Econoline E-150/250/350 1996-2003 Econoline E450 2002-2003 Econoline E550 1998-2002 Ranger 1998-2001 Explorer/Mountaineer 2001-2002 Explorer Sport (2 door) & Sport Trac 2003-2004 F-150 Lightning 1993-2003 F-Series (Under 8500 lb. GVW) 1993-2003 F-Series (over 8500 lb. GVW) – all plants except Cuautitlan 1994-2003 F-Series (over 8500 lb. GVW) – Cuautitlan built only prior to 1/7/03 1995-2002 F-53 Motorhome
Cars: 1992-1998 Town Car 1992-1998 Crown Victoria 1992-1998 Grand Marquis 1993-1998 Mark VIII 1993-1995 Taurus SHO (automatic transmission) 1994 Capri *equipped with speed control. Diesel engine equipped vehicles are excluded from recall
