Ford Recalls 792,000 SUVs, Trucks

Jan. 27, 2005 -- -- The Ford Motor Company today announced a major recall of 792,000 Ford vehicles because of fires caused by faulty cruise control systems, ABC News has learned.

The entire 2000 model year of the Navigator, Expedition and F-150 truck were recalled along, with a limited number of 2001 F-150 Super Cabs.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into the problem in November, having looked at 39 incidents in which fires occurred.

At the time, Ford officials said they were cooperating with the agency's investigation.

All of the fires occurred when the vehicle was already parked and with the engine turned off, according to the NHTSA.

In some of the incidents, garages and a house have burned down. There are no reports of fatalities or injuries, though.

Ford does not have enough new cruise control systems in stock to make the changes to the vehicles, so people who bring their sport utility vehicle or truck back to the dealer will have their cruise control systems deactivated, rather than replaced.

The recall is not expected to bring an end to the NHTSA investigation because investigators are not convinced that other model years don't have the same problem.

In November, ConsumerAffairs.Com reported receiving numerous complaints about similar problems with Ford trucks and SUVs from the 1997 model year.

In 1999, Ford had to recall 279,000 Lincoln Town Cars, Mercury Grand Marquis and Ford Crown Victorias from the 1992 model year because of the same problem.