Sticky throttle prompts recall of Ford Focus SVT

DETROIT, April 15 Reuters reported that Ford Motor Co. said on Monday that it was recalling its all-new 2002 Focus SVT hatchback because of a potential safety problem involving the vehicle's throttle.

Ford spokesman Todd Nissen said only 569 Focus SVTs -- produced at an assembly plant in Hermosillo, Mexico, between early November and April 8 -- were targets of the recall, which was prompted by the discovery that their throttles can get stuck in the open position.

But it was the ninth safety-related recall involving a Focus since the vehicle's problem-plagued U.S. introduction in September 1999, highlighting embarrassing quality glitches at the world's second-largest automaker.

No accidents or injuries have been reported due to the problem throttle, Nissen said.

Ford's limited edition SVT products are a line of special high-performance vehicles.