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Ford recalls police cars, taxis and SUVs
By Associated Press
© St. Petersburg Times
published August 9, 2003
WASHINGTON - Ford Motor Co. is recalling 35,700 Crown Victoria police cars and taxis because of a wheel defect, the automaker and the federal government said Friday.
The announcement came a day after Ford said it would offer fire-suppression technology in 2005 for Crown Victoria police cars, which have been criticized because of gas tank explosions in some rear-end collisions.
Ford also said it is recalling nearly 1.6-million Ford Explorers and Mercury Mountaineers made between 1998 and 2001 and 2001-2002 Explorer Sport and Sport Trac models for a defect in the seat backs. A smaller number of the same vehicles also are being recalled because of a problem with speed control cables.
Ford said Friday that it knew of no injuries related to the three recalls.
On 2003 Crown Victoria and Crown Victoria Police Interceptors that are equipped with steel wheels, some of the wheels may develop cracks in the rim that could lead to rapid air loss from the tire, Ford and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Friday.
Dealers will replace wheels that were manufactured between Aug. 18, 2001, and Sept. 22, 2002, NHTSA said.
The St. Petersburg Police Department was checking whether any of its patrol cars are affected.
Bob Turner, the city's fleet manager, said at least three of the department's about 275 patrol cars are 2003 Crown Victorias with steel wheels. He said mechanics would inspect the cars and decide how to proceed.
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office did not return a call for comment.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has about 180 2003 Crown Victorias and has contacted Ford to determine which cars are affected, fleet manager Donnie Mitchell said.
Tampa police spokesman Joe Durkin said his department will review the recall to determine whether it affects their cars. The department uses hundreds of Crown Victorias and replaces 15 or so each year, Durkin said.
On Explorers, Mountaineers and Explorer Sport and Sport Tracs with high-back seats, the bolt that attaches the recliner to the frame could fracture and the seat could fall back. Dealers will replace the bolt with a metal one.
On nearly 500,000 Explorers, Mountaineers, Explorer Sport and Sport Tracs with optional speed control, cables could wear out prematurely and increase braking distance. Dealers will inspect the cables and replace them.
- Times staff writers Cory Schouten and Jamie Jones contributed to this report.
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