THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, January 18, 1997 TAG: 9701180354
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: D2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: DETROIT LENGTH: 33 lines
Ford Motor Co. is recalling more than 340,000 pickups, vans and sport utility vehicles in the United States and Canada to correct safety-related problems.
Ford said that about 148,000 1997 F-150 pickups are being recalled because they may have loose or missing bolts that are supposed to hold down the seat-belt assemblies. A loose or missing bolt could result in the belt's failure to restrain properly in the event of a crash, Ford said in a news release.
The other recalls are for:
About 134,800 1996 Ford Explorer sport utility vehicles, Ranger pickups, Aerostar minivans and 1996-97 F-series pickups with labels that list incorrect rear tire-inflation pressures.
About 57,900 1996 Econoline and Club Wagon vans that may have improperly adjusted parking brakes. The parking brakes may not meet the ``hill hold'' requirements of U.S. and Canadian regulations.
About 27,900 1997 F-150 pickups equipped with the 4.6-liter engine. When the trucks are operated at highway speeds for extended periods in temperatures under 20 degrees below zero, ice may form in the throttle body, which could prevent the engine from returning to idle. Dealers will install a foam insulating sleeve to correct the problem.
An undetermined number of the '97 F-150s are subject to both recalls.
KEYWORDS: FORD MOTOR COMPANY RECALL