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Ford recalls 1.3 million vehicles
Ford recalls 1.3 million vehicles
Action will repair brake lights, filters on Taurus, Sable
By Rip Watson / Bloomberg News
WASHINGTON — Ford Motor Co., the second-biggest U.S. automaker, recalled 1.33 million Taurus and Mercury Sable sedans to fix brake lights and replace air filters.
The action includes 1.03 million of the 2000 through 2003 models for brake lights that may fail because of switch and wiring problems, Ford spokesman Glenn Ray said. In addition, 418,000 of its 2003 models are being recalled because of air filters in the engine cooling system that can catch fire, including 118,000 that also will get the brake-light repair.
The recall is another blow to the Dearborn-based automaker’s Taurus, which was the best-selling U.S. car between 1992 and 1996 and now ranks behind Toyota Motor Co.p.’s Camry and Honda Motor Co.’s Accord sedans. Taurus U.S. sales last year fell 9.7 percent to 300,496, their third straight annual decline. Sales of the similar Sable fell 38 percent to 61,342.
“Quality problems have plagued Ford,” said Erich Merkle, an auto analyst at consulting firm IRN Inc. in Grand Rapids. “This is one more story in a long list of them. I don’t think this is going to have a huge impact. Ford is catching this early.”
Ford was second in U.S. recalls last year with 3.41 million vehicles, 47 percent more than in 2002, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. General Motors Corp., the world’s biggest automaker, led with 7.36 million vehicles.
Ford is investigating one report of a minor injury linked to the air-filter problem, and two accidents related to the brake-lamp defect, Ray said. The U.S. agency said failure of the brake wiring may prevent drivers from shifting the cars out of the “park” position.
“The safety of our customers is a top priority,” Ray said. “We are taking this action to maintain the quality and integrity of this product.”
Ford begins notifying owners of the air-filter defect on Wednesday, the agency said on its Web site. Notices for the brake-light recall will start May 5, NHTSA said. Recall repairs are done at no charge to consumers and typically are paid for with reserves set aside for that purpose.
The 2002 and 2003 Taurus had one other recall, covering 67,894 vehicles to replace windshields that may rattle or leak, the U.S. agency said.
Ford shares fell 34 cents to $13.19 in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. They have declined 18 percent this year.
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Stacy94PGT
My first car was a 67 Mustang Coupe, 2nd one was a 67 Cougar XR-7, 3rd one was a 66 Mustang Coupe. Why did I get rid of these cars for ? I know why, because I'm stupid, stupid, stupid. 
My next Ford.....
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