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Reuters
Sept. 21, 2000 13:48
DETROIT - Ford Motor Co.'s (F.N) popular Explorer sport utility vehicle,
already under a cloud of scrutiny for its role in the Firestone tire recall, is now
being investigated by federal regulators for a potential problem with part of its
front suspension.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it
has opened a preliminary evaluation of the 1995-96 model year Explorers as a
result of 13 complaints of failure on one or both of the front stabilizer bar links.
''In all cases, complainants report that vehicle stability is reduced -- especially at
speeds above 40 mph (miles per hour), and in turns and lane changes,'' the
NHTSA said.
Unlike the recalled Firestone (5018.T) tires, which federal investigators have
linked to as many as 101 deaths, the NHTSA reported no accidents, injuries or
fatalities as a result of problems with the stabilizer bar part, which keeps the
vehicle from swaying excessively in turns.
Ford spokesman Mike Vaughn said Ford will cooperate fully in the preliminary
investigation.
Vaughn said Ford owner record reports indicate most of the complaints occurred
in cold weather states and Canada, where salt is used on the roads to melt ice, as
well as areas of rapid climate change. Most owners reported excessive noise or
sometimes vague handling of their Explorer with the problem.
The NHTSA said that a Ford service department has indicated that Ford
increased the diameter of the stabilizer bar link in model year 1997.
Sales of the Explorer slipped only slightly last month, despite being linked to
Firestone's massive recall of 6.5 million tires in the United States.
The Explorer, fitted with the recalled Firestone tires as standard equipment, was
involved in most of the accidents and fatalities the NHTSA is investigating in
connection to the recall
Sept. 21, 2000 13:48
DETROIT - Ford Motor Co.'s (F.N) popular Explorer sport utility vehicle,
already under a cloud of scrutiny for its role in the Firestone tire recall, is now
being investigated by federal regulators for a potential problem with part of its
front suspension.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it
has opened a preliminary evaluation of the 1995-96 model year Explorers as a
result of 13 complaints of failure on one or both of the front stabilizer bar links.
''In all cases, complainants report that vehicle stability is reduced -- especially at
speeds above 40 mph (miles per hour), and in turns and lane changes,'' the
NHTSA said.
Unlike the recalled Firestone (5018.T) tires, which federal investigators have
linked to as many as 101 deaths, the NHTSA reported no accidents, injuries or
fatalities as a result of problems with the stabilizer bar part, which keeps the
vehicle from swaying excessively in turns.
Ford spokesman Mike Vaughn said Ford will cooperate fully in the preliminary
investigation.
Vaughn said Ford owner record reports indicate most of the complaints occurred
in cold weather states and Canada, where salt is used on the roads to melt ice, as
well as areas of rapid climate change. Most owners reported excessive noise or
sometimes vague handling of their Explorer with the problem.
The NHTSA said that a Ford service department has indicated that Ford
increased the diameter of the stabilizer bar link in model year 1997.
Sales of the Explorer slipped only slightly last month, despite being linked to
Firestone's massive recall of 6.5 million tires in the United States.
The Explorer, fitted with the recalled Firestone tires as standard equipment, was
involved in most of the accidents and fatalities the NHTSA is investigating in
connection to the recall