Ford has announced a recall that will involve certain 2007 Ford Five Hundred and 2007 Mercury Montego Sedans built between September 5th -11th, 2006, for problems with the fuel tanks. The welds between the fuel tank and the filler neck were not done properly which could affect the strength of the joint. In the event of a rear impact, the welds could break allowing fuel to leak out and possibly cause a fire if there is an ignition source. Owners can expect to start receiving their recall notice starting August 15, where dealers will replace the fuel tank free of charge. Anyone wanting more information on the recall can contact the Ford Motor Company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332 .

A preliminary investigation into shattering rear windows for 2010-2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner sport utility vehicles (SUV) has been opened after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received 18 complaints that the rear lift-gate window shattered while opening or closing the lift-gate. Many of the incidents were reported to have happened during cold weather conditions and one alleged cut injuries to a 10 year old boy.

In 2004, Ford issued a recall for certain 2001-2005 SUV’s because the rear lift-gate latching system did not meet the inertia load requirements of the federal motor vehicle safety standards. There were over 150 reports of minor injuries when the door hinges failed allowing the glass to break.

Owners wanting more information about Ford vehicle recalls can contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is warning owners of 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan vehicles not to place any unsecured floor mats on top of standard carpeted floor mats as it could lead to unintended acceleration. The NHTSA is opening a formal investigation into the problem after three complaints that when an all weather mat was placed on top of the standard floor mats, the mat could slip forward and trap the accelerator pedal. There have been no crashes or injuries related to the problem, but the NHTSA felt an investigation was necessary. For more information, consumers can contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Hotline at 888-327-4236 or their Ford dealer.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a reminder recall for consumers with Ford vehicles that still have faulty cruise control systems. This recall was first issued as far back as the beginning of 1999 and has been reissued several times since then. The vehicles recalled are at risk of having the cruise control overheat and catch fire, even if they are turned off, parked and unattended.

Some warning signs that your vehicle may still have the cruise control issue are: a cruise control system that can’t be activated or stops working; brake lights that stop working; low brake fluid, ABS and brake warning lights on the dashboard that are illuminated; or the inability to get a vehicle out of park.

Owners of the affected automobiles are being urged to make sure their vehicles have been fixed. Ford offers a website service where you can enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), to see whether your vehicle has been recalled and whether the repair has been made. The vehicle’s VIN can be found on the dashboard and on the certification label on the door latch post next to the driver’s seat, NHTSA said. The vehicles affected by this recall include:

  • 1993-1996 Ford Bronco
  • 1992-1998 Ford Crown Victoria
  • 1992-2003 Ford Econoline E-150/250/350
  • 1996-2003 Ford Econoline E450
  • 2002-2003 Ford Econoline E550
  • 2000-2003 Ford Excursion Diesels
  • 1997-2002 Ford Expedition
  • 1995-2002 Ford Explorer
  • 2001-2002 Ford Explorer Sport
  • 2001-2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
  • 1993-2003 Ford F-series (F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550)
  • 1993-2003 Ford F-Super Duty Diesels (excluding 1998)
  • 2003-2004 Ford F-150 Lightning
  • 1994-2002 Ford F-53 Motorhome
  • 1995-2003 Ford Ranger
  • 1993-1995 Ford Taurus SHO (automatic transmission)
  • 1995-2003 Ford Windstars
  • 2002-2003 Lincoln Blackwood
  • 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII
  • 1998-2002 Lincoln Navigator
  • 1992-1998 Lincoln Town Car
  • 1994 Mercury Capri
  • 1992-1998 Mercury Grand Marquis
  • 1991-2001 Mercury Mountaineer
  • 1995-2002 Mercury Mountaineers

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are investigating reports of gas pedals becoming trapped by floor mats in some 2010 Ford Fusions and Mercury Milans.

A Ford spokesman said the problem was due to drivers stacking all-weather mats on top of floor mats that come with the vehicle. Ford’s all-weather mats have warnings advising customers not to pile them and to secure them properly to the floor.

Safety officials said the investigation covers about 250,000 Fusions and Milans. The preliminary investigation is meant to try to verify whether the complaints have merit and gauge the seriousness of any potential problems. So far, there have been no reports of crashes or injuries related to this problem.

In the last few years, the Ford brands have been shrinking. They have gotten rid of Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin, and most recently the Volvo brand, and now it seems that the Mercury brand may be the next on the “chopping block”.

Ford officials would not confirm reports that the company was thinking of shutting down Mercury, but they have admitted to plans to shrink the lineup in an effort to make Lincoln the featured brand for the company. The Mercury brand has just four vehicles, the mid-size Milan sedan, the Mariner and Mountaineer SUVs and the giant Grand Marquis sedan. Production of the Grand Marquis will end when Ford closes their Canadian factory next year.

In a previous interviews, Ford Chief Executive Alan Mulally said he was looking at ways to reorganize the company to be more global. That included cutting brands and slicing the number of vehicles Ford produces, and then using those platforms to build cars that can be sold around the world. The new Ford Fiesta that is going on sale in the U.S. this summer is nearly identical to the one already sold in Europe. The same will hold true for the new-generation Ford Focus slated to roll out early next year.

Hybrid cars today are typically a combination of gasoline and a battery powered engine. The following is a list of some of the current hybrid cars plus some that will become available in 2010 and 2011.

Currently available Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid, Honda Insight, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Mercury Milan Hybrid, Nissan Altima Hybrid, Lexus HS 250h, Toyota Camry Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, Mercury Mariner Hybrid, Lexus RX 450h, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Lexus RX 400h, Lexus GS 450h, Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid, Lexus LS 600h L, GMC Sierra Hybrid, GMC Yukon Hybrid, Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, Chrysler Aspen Hybrid, and Dodge Durango Hybrid.

Those that will become available in 2010 or 2011 are Mercedes ML 450 Hybrid, Honda Global Subcompact Hybrid, Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, Saturn Vue Green Line Two Mode, Hyundai Accent Hybrid, BMW X6 Hybrid, Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid, Honda Fit Hybrid, Mercedes S400 BlueHybrid, Dodge Ram Hybrid, Honda CR-Z, Volkswagen and Touareg Hybrid.

If you think your hybrid is a lemon, call the California Lemon Law Firm, Delsack and Associates for a free consultation. The toll free number is 1-888-Ex-Lemon (1-888-395-3666).