Ford Recalls Minivans and Volvo Cars

DETROIT Reuters reported that Ford Motor Co.has recalled 250,283 Windstar minivans to fix a potentially hazardous brake problem and 25,876 cars from its Volvo subsidiary with faulty cooling fans that could trigger engine fires, U.S. auto safety regulators said on Thursday.

Quality problems have dogged the world's No. 2 automaker ever since the Firestone tire crisis that erupted two years ago. The recall of the Windstar was the second announced by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration since last month.

NHTSA said the latest recall, involving 1995 and 1996 model year Windstars, was due to the improper installation of brake lines on some of the vehicles, making them susceptible to corrosion or leaks that could increase the risk of a crash.

The Volvo recall involved S80 sedans produced between April 1998 and May 1999. NHTSA said the vehicles' engine cooling fans were subject to overheating in hot climates, posing the risk of a fire.

EDITORS NOTE:It is 7:30 PM EDT and this recall info is NOT on the FORD Site...what's going on?