Ford can lay claim to largest recall in history

There isn't much Ford can brag about these days, especially not their dismal performance in racing, but the battered American car manufacturer can lay claim to one record. Ford Motor Co. announced Friday that it is recalling another 3.6 million vehicles because of ongoing problems with a cruise control switch that has already sparked several fires and prompted five other recalls. All told, the company has now recalled some 10.4 million vehicles because of the defect, making it the largest recall for a single vehicle problem in U.S. history.

The latest recall involves more than a dozen cars, trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles built between 1991 and 2004, including such popular models as the Ford F-150, Mercury Mountaineer and Lincoln Town Car.

The issue involves a speed control deactivation switch manufactured by Texas Instruments Inc. The switch, which is powered at all times, can leak over time and increase the chances of an electrical fire. Fires in vehicles covered by previous Ford recalls have led to garage and house fires, and deaths in several states. More at Detroit News