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Ford and Toyota recall cars
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May 18, 1999: 11:53 p.m. ET
Cruise-control glitch and suspension problems for automakers
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - Two automakers issued recalls of their high-end sedans.
Ford Motor Co. on Tuesday recalled roughly 279,000 Lincoln Town Cars, Mercury Grand Marquis and Crown Victoria vehicles with cruise-control devices that could cause a fire to break out.
Toyota Motor Corp (TOYOY) said Wednesday it is recalling 814,200 cars in the luxury sedan category, the second-largest ever by a Japanese automaker, at a cost of about 14 billion yen ($113 million).
Toyota said the recall was to repair faulty suspension parts, in 10 models including the Crown, Mark II, Cresta and Chasers manufactured between July 1995 and August 1998.
The Toyota recall will also include 16,500 exported cars, some of which were sold under the Lexus brand.
Dearborn, Mich.-based Ford (F) said the recall affects the 1992 and 1993 model-year versions of the high-end sedans.
The nation's No. 2 automaker said two injuries stemmed from the malfunctions and 147 allegations of fire breakout were reported.
To blame is a defective cruise-control deactivation switch that could short-circuit, creating a risk of overheating, smoke, and fire, Ford said.
The vehicles in question are at least six years old. Asked why it took Ford so long to enact the recall, spokeswoman Karen Shaughnessy said: "Sometimes it's a matter of time for a condition to manifest [itself]."
Until replacement parts become available, expected by mid-June, car owners are advised to take the vehicles to dealers to have the cruise-control switches turned off.
--from staff and wires
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Ford Motor Co.
Toyota
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