Ford Recalls 1.18 Million Vehicles

According to Ford Motor Company, the automaker is initiating a voluntary recall:  “Ford is conducting a voluntary customer safety recall of approximately 1.18 million 1997-2003 model year Ford F-Super Duty trucks, E-Series vans and Excursions currently registered in the U.S. due to a concern over robustness of the cam position (CMP) sensor.”

These 1.18 million recalled vehicles join millions of other vehicles recalled this year by automakers.  Motortrend gives a list of recalled vehicles on their website, including the 2006 Ferrari F430, the 2006 Chevrolet SRR, the 2006 Isuzu Ascender, and the 2006 Lincoln Mark LT.  Voluntary recalls by automakers have become commonplace, prompting some auto enthusiasts to seek out options other than purchasing elite cars.

A growing trend in the auto rental industry is the elite sports car rental.  Businesses like DFW Elite Auto Rental in Dallas Fort Worth and Precious Metals in Savannah, GA offer a selection of elite sports cars and luxury cars.  Renting an elite sports car means dealing with recalls is not your responsibility. 

Many car enthusiasts are discovering ways to get their exotic car fix without owning. Entrepreneurs across the United States have started luxury and exotic car sharing clubs to cater to those who want to drive the newest cars without ever worrying about depreciation, maintenance, or any of the other burdens of ownership.

Such clubs as Gotham Dream Share in New York and DFW Elite Car Club in Dallas, TX provide the keys to a well-stocked paddock of dream cars to members for reasonable monthly fee. After all, why own just one, when you can drive them all without ever losing sleep over recalls.

Concerning this most recent recall, a Ford Motor Company spokesperson explains, “…this recall involves older vehicles that are powered by 7.3L diesel engines manufactured by International; our current vehicle lines, which are equipped with 6.0L and 6.4L diesel engines, do not experience this issue. There have been 14 allegations of minor accidents or loss of control concerns, but no injuries due to this concern in over 10 years of vehicle service and billions of miles driven.”

In August, Ford recalled 3.6 million vehicles for problems with a cruise-control switch.  The Washington Post, which ran an article on the recall, described this and some of the other recall problems that have plagued the Detroit automaker.  “Ford said the recall covered more than a dozen models built from 1992 to 2004. The company said it was responding to concerns from owners about the safety of their cars and questions about the speed-control deactivation switch, which is powered at all times.” 

The same Post article described Ford’s previous recall as well:  “The automaker previously recalled nearly 6 million vehicles beginning in January 2005 because of engine fires linked to the cruise-control systems in trucks, SUVs and vans.”

Ford Motor Company promises the vehicles will be repaired free of charge.  “Owners will be notified (phased mailings will take place between mid-Dec and end of May) and instructed to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer to have their vehicles inspected, and if necessary repaired. There will be no charge to owners for this service.”

 

Kate Miller-Wilson is a freelance writer living in the Twin Cities.  Visit her website or email her for information about her freelance writing services