Ford Cruise Control Switch Fires

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Ford Motor Company has recalled over 6.7 million vehicles due to defective or faulty cruise control switches.

Unfortunately, there are still over 9.3 million vehicles on the road that have not been subject to recall but have the same or similar defective cruise control switch.

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported receiving 1,472 complaints connected to the cruise control defect, including 559 vehicle fires. Of the 559 vehicle fires, 253 of them were in “unrecalled models”.

Currently, there are approximately 13 wrongful death lawsuits filed within the United States but we expect that number to increase as more vehicle fires occur or are reported.

If you own a Ford vehicle that caught fire and suffered (i) severe personal injury, (ii) wrongful death, or (iii) substantial property damage/loss, you should contact us immediately. You may be entitled to compensation and we can help.

Understanding the Cruise Control Switch

Within the Ford cruise control system is the “speed control deactivation switch”, also know as the “brake pressure switch”. The brake pressure switch shuts off the cruise control when the driver steps on the brakes.

The switch is attached to the brake master cylinder on one end and wired to the cruise control system on the other. The switch is separated from the brake master cylinder by a thin film barrier.

The switch was designed to always be “powered on” or “hot”, even while the vehicle is turned off and the keys have been taken out of the ignition.

What is the Problem?

The only thing separating the electrical powered cruise control switch from the brake master cylinders flammable fluid is the thin barrier. Furthermore, investigators have noticed that the film barrier has a tendency to corrode overtime.

The problem in lies with the cruise control switch’s close proximity to flammable fluids and the fact that Ford designed the switch to always be “powered on” or “hot”, even while the vehicle is turned off and the keys have been taken out of the ignition.

Therefore, the vehicle fires generally occur when the film barrier separating the switch and the brake master cylinder corrodes and cracks allowing the brake fluid from to seep into the electrical side of the switch.

Recalled Vehicle List

If you own any of the vehicles listed below, you should take it in to a Ford dealership to have the cruise control switch disconnected or replaced for free.

• 1996-2002 E-450 van
• 1994-1996 Econoline van
• 2000-2002 Excursion
• 1997-2002 Expedition
• 1998 Explorer
• 1994-1996 Bronco
• 1994-2002 F150
• 1994-2002 F250
• 1994-2002 F350
• 1994-2002 F450
• 1994-2002 F550
• 2001 F-Series SuperCrew
• 2002 Lincoln Blackwood
• 1998-2002 Lincoln Navigator
• 1998 Mercury Mountaineer

Non-Recalled Vehicle List

There are still over 9.3 million vehicles on the road that have not been subject to recall but have the same or similar defective cruise control switch. If you own any of the vehicles listed below, you should take it in to a Ford dealership to have the cruise control switch disconnected or replaced at your cost.

• 1992-1993 Crown Victoria
• 1997-2002 Econoline
• 1995-2002 Explorer without IVD
• 2002 Explorer Sport/Sport Trac
• 1994-1998 Lincoln Mark VII/VIII
• 1992-1993 Lincoln Town Car
• 1993-1995 Mercury Sable
• 1992-1993 Mercury Grand Marquis
• 1995-2002 Ranger
• 1993-1995 Taurus
• 1993-1995 Taurus SHO 2.3 L
• 1994-2002 Windstar

Signs of a Problem

The following signs could indicate that you have a problem with your cruise-control switch:

• cruise control is not working properly;
• brake fluid is leaking around the switch;
• fuses are blown near the switch; or
• the fuse for the speed control cannot be opened.
  

Do I have a Ford Cruise Control Switch Fire Lawsuit?

The Products Liability Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus exclusively on the representation of plaintiffs in product liability lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new cruise control switch fire cases in all 50 states.

Attention Attorneys: We do not publish prior verdict/settlements. If you are an attorney and would like to refer us a case or for us to send you a profile of prior award judgments or average referral fees, please visit the attorney referral section of our website.

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Ford Cruise Control Switch Fire News (National)