Ford Motor Co. says that fixing a potential fire hazard in the cruise control system of 3.8 million pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles will be delayed until February because replacement parts are not yet available.
Ford recalled 1994-2002 model year F-150 pickups, Expeditions, Navigators and Broncos in September because of a series of engine fires linked to the cruise control switch system. The recall was the fifth largest in history.
Ford advises that vehicle owners can request that the cruise control system be disabled until the replacement parts are available.Ford told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at the time of the recall that the parts required to repair the cruise control system would be available in September.
An investigation of the truck fires pointed to brake fluid leaking into the cruise control system leading to overheating and fire.
The Ford F-series truck has been the best-selling full-size pickup for nearly three decades.
ConsumerAffairs.com and NHTSA received hundreds of complaints of engine fires linked to the Ford cruise control system. There have been allegations of at least three deaths as a result of the truck fires.
