Ford's recent cruise-control recall involving 3.6 million vehicles with a faulty cruise control switch that could potentially cause a fire, stemmed from customer complaints that the speed control deactivation switch is always on. Many of those customers now have something else to complain about -- back-order problems.Since Ford announced its latest recall (August, 2007) customers are still waiting for parts.
Although Ford advised its customers to disconnect their cruise control switches, the company has not yet been able to provide all its customers with replacement switches. As many as 1.25 million passenger cars still do not have proper cruise control, meaning that many customers who paid for the feature have not been able to use it.
As well, there was a run on service departments that caused a shortage of fused wiring harnesses for the passenger cars involved in the recall. Many back order problems involve classics such as the mid 1990s Panther platform vehicles, Lincoln Mark VIIIs and the '94 Mercury Capri.
Complaints are rampant on automotive blogs regarding back order problems. One disgruntled Ford owner reported in October, 2007 that the dealership "unplugged the sensor on the master cylinder. The parts are on backorder until December... Rather upset about this all." And this from an owner of an Elite Explorer: "Ford sent me the recall notice a little while back, then more recently sent me a card saying 'Ford is currently experiencing an unforeseen shortage of the service parts required to make the complete repair'. What, they don't have anyone in Detroit who can count?"
Ford Motor Co. now faces a class action lawsuit filed on behalf of people who own Ford vehicles affected by the recent cruise control recalls. If you have purchased a Ford vehicle but have been unable to use the cruise control function because the company has not provided you with the proper replacement parts, please contact Caddell & Chapman at csf@caddellchapman.com.
Ford Cruise Control Recall Articles
Waiting For Ford Cruise Control PartsMassive Ford recalls have been issued to deactivate a faulty cruise control switch, a simple operation, but Ford vehicle customers are now facing lengthy wait times for a new part. Gene, whose job entails long road travel, waited five months.
Ford Parts Backlog: Owners Get Short End of the Stick
Imagine receiving a recall notice for a fairly serious problem with your Ford vehicle�one that could cause your vehicle to catch fire. So you duly respond to the recall, only to be told that there aren't enough parts, and that you'll have to wait. The parts backlog means you're continuing to drive a dangerous vehicle that could catch fire at any moment.
Ford Defects: "Ford Built a Defendable Fence"
Sean Kane, the founder and President of Safety Research and Strategies, Inc. says, "We have a joke around the office that we have a company [Ford] that lets us support our advocacy habit." Specializing in automotive safety, SRS has been in the forefront of issues ranging from electronic stability control to aging and defective tires.
Ford Customers Still Waiting for Recalled Parts
Ford customers who have vehicles affected by the recent recall of cruise control parts are upset that the company has still not provided the necessary replacement parts. These customers, who took their vehicle in a few months ago to have their cruise control deactivated and a recalled switch unplugged, are still waiting for a new switch to be provided.
Ford Customers Holding the Key, Waiting for the Switch
Ford Recalls Vehicles after Cruise Control Concerns
Ford Cruise Control Recalls In the News
DEC-10-07: Ford has announced yet another recall. This one involves over one million trucks, SUVs and vans and was issued because a defect could cause the engines in the vehicles to stall, possibly causing a crash. [NEWS INFERNO: FORD RECALL]NOV-13-07: The owners of a recalled 2000 Ford Excursion have lost their home after the vehicle caught fire, allegedly due to a faulty cruise control switch. The family purchased the SUV used in 2004 and has no recollection of ever receiving a recall notice from Ford. [KSDK: FORD RECALL]
