Autoblog

Ford Motor Company is recalling a whole herd of trucks to see the team doctors over concerns about a hose in the braking system that could adversely effect the vehicles' braking power. According to the NHTSA, about 605,000 2005 and 2006 model year Ford F150 and Lincoln Mark LT trucks equipped with the 3-valve 5.4-liter V8 will receive a hose replacement free of charge. The problem hose supplies the brake booster with engine vacuum, and could swell over time and eventually become disconnected. While the hydraulic braking system will function without the power assist, pedal effort will be significantly increased, and if drivers are taken off-guard by the problem an accident could occur. Ford will start notifying owners in June, and the recall campaign will kick off in July. According to FoMoCo, there have been 11 minor accidents related to the issue. Check out more details from the NHTSA after the jump.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

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If you own an '05 - '08 Ford Mustang, watch your mailbox for a recall notice from the Oval in the coming days. It turns out that the NHTSA learned that the passenger-side frontal airbag could potentially deploy with greater-than-allowable force for a petite, unrestrained passenger. Over 470,000 of the ponycars qualify for the recall, with 435,000 of them located in the US. A dealer-performed software update will correct the problem. According to Ford, there are no reported injuries related to the issue, and the particular scenario in which the problem could manifest itself is rare.


[Sources: CNNMoney]

Another day, another recall. This time it's Ford with two separate recalls that involve its big SUVs and full-size vans. The first affects 124,000 Ford Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators built from 2007 to 2008. Apparently the spring system inside their door handles could break. While not a life threatening defect, Ford says there is the possibility of the latches opening in a side crash. No injuries or accidents have been attributed to the faulty door handle assemblies, but Ford will replace all those affected at no charge.

The second recall, which involves 57,000 E-Series full-size vans and 2007 Expeditions and Navigators with the 5.4L V8, is a bit more serious. The defective part is the engine's fuel rail crossover hose, which could crack and leak, potentially causing a fire. Again, no reports of injuries or accidents have been associated with the defective hose and dealers will replace them at no charge. If you've got an affected vehicle for either recall, contact your dealer ASAP and set up an appointment to have the parts in question replaced.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Ford will be recalling 1.2 million trucks, SUVs and vans due to a faulty engine sensor. The recall affects vehicles of from 1997 through 2003 that are equipped with the 7.3L Power Stroke diesel engine. This diesel motor actually came before the dreaded 6.0L diesel from International/Navistar that was known for its unreliability. Though also built by Navistar, the 7.3L is actually considered to be quite bulletproof. The recall, however, encompasses F-series Super Duty pickups, Excursion SUVs and E-series vans that were equipped with the 7.3L diesel. The sensor in question is the engine's camshaft position sensor. Over time the part can apparently degrade leading to engine stall, potentially causing an accident if the vehicle is moving. Ford claims it's aware of 14 accidents or instances of drivers losing control of their vehicle related to this issue, which we'd say is about 14 too many. Customers with possibly affected vehicles will be notified beginning December 17th for a free repair.

[Source: Detroit News]

Hang on just a little longer if you've got a Ford with the self-immolating cruise control option. Since the recall was announced in August, there's been a run on service departments, leading to a shortage of fused wiring harnesses for the passenger cars involved in the effort. The SUVs and pickups haven't had any supply problems, so it's just people with the honor of still owning such gems as mid 1990s Panther platform vehicles, Lincoln Mark VIIIs, Neff's favorite '93-'95 SHO, and everyone's halo car, the '94 Mercury Capri. The only word on parts availability, which was supposed to be October, is that they'll arrive sometime later this year. Plenty of time for your DN5 SHO to burn completely to the ground.

[Source: Detroit News]

Ford is telling its dealers to put on ice sales of some 2008 F-Series Super Duty diesels because of -- gulp -- reports of flames shooting from the tailpipes. Ouch.

Luckily, only about 8,400 of the trucks had been sold, with the remaining 29,000 still on dealer lots. So far, only three owners have reported the fiery problem and no one was injured. Ford says the issue stems from leaking fuel injectors in one case and a cracked turbocharger shaft in another. In both cases, Ford says the leaking fuel ignited in the diesel particulate filter near the tailpipe.

Apparently, according to Ford spokesman Dan Jarvis, the problem can be fixed with a control module upgrade that will "power down the engine" when extreme temperatures in the trucks' diesel particulate filter are detected.

[Source: AP via Yahoo]

The NHTSA says Ford, Volvo and Chrysler are recalling a total of about 300,600 vehicles.

Ford gets off relatively light and is bringing in 422 Crown Vics and Mercury Grand Marquis to replace improperly secured windshields.

Volvo, however, will install new software to fix speed controls on more than 170,000 cars. Models affected include the 1999-2000 C70 coupes and convertibles, S60, S70, S80, V70, V70XC and XC70.

And just as Chrysler is getting rid of the Pacifica, it'll be seeing 127,928 of them coming back for new fuel pumps and powertrain control module software. The affected crossovers were built from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30, 2004. DaimlerChrysler is also sending Jeep Compass owners updates to their cars' manuals. NHTSA said the books omitted a required rollover warning. We imagine the folks over at TTAC could think of a few more warnings NHTSA could have included in the Compass manual.

[Source: NHTSA via The Associated Press via Yahoo Finance]