Recalled: Ford Expedition, Navigator, F150,Taurus, Mercury Sable

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released a list of auto safety recalls announced in November and December 2000 and urged consumers to have the problems fixed promptly.

Ford Motor Company

Models: Ford Expedition Years: 2000-2001 Ford Navigator Years: 2000-2001 Ford F150 Year: 2001 Ford Taurus Year: 2001 Mercury Sable Year: 2001

Number Involved: 495,000

Dates of Manufacture: March 1999 - November 2000

Noncompliance: Certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems." The affected Expedition/Navigator owner guides do not identify the locations of seating positions equipped with tether anchorages and do not provide instructions for securing child seats to these tether anchorages. The F150 Owner Guides do not provide the procedure for securing child seats to the tether anchorages. The Taurus/Sable owner guides do not identify the center rear seating position as having LATCH-compatible lower anchorages. In the event of a crash, the child seat may not be properly attached, increasing the risk of injury to the child.

Remedy: Owners will be provided with revised owner guide inserts providing the required information and instructions for affixing these inserts to their owner guides. Customers will also be advised that if they prefer, their dealer will affix the inserts to their owner guides. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began on Jan. 2, 2001. Owners who do not receive the free label within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V396/Ford Recall No. 00L11]

Ford Motor Company

Models: Ford Explorer Years: 1995-1997 Mercury Mountaineer Years: 1995-1997

Number Involved: 810,000

Dates of Manufacture: August 1994 - October 1996

Defect: Under certain conditions, a front stabilizer bar link stud on some sport utility vehicles can fracture from bending fatigue. Vehicle handling could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will install stronger front left and right stabilizer bar links. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began on Dec. 18, 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

[NHTSA Recall No. 00V402/Ford Recall No. 00S47]