Ford Recalling 150,000 Vehicles Used by Police Departments, Taxi Companies

WASHINGTON May 13, 2005; The AP reported that Ford Motor Co. is recalling more than 150,000 vehicles used by police departments and taxi companies because of reports of problems with insulation on the dashboard becoming overheated, the company said Friday.

Ford said the recall involved 2003-2005 model year versions of the Crown Victoria used by police departments and Commercial Heavy Duty vehicles used by taxi companies. More than 130,000 of the vehicles are used in the United States and the remainder are used in Mexico and Canada.

The nation's second-largest automaker received a small number of reports of smoke or charring conditions coming from the insulation of the dashboard under high temperatures, spokeswoman Kristen Kinley said.

Kinley said the insulation could sag near a high-temperature component in the engine and become overheated.

She said the reports have not been confirmed and the company has not been able to duplicate the conditions in tests.

The vehicles are specially designed for police departments and taxi companies.

Owners would be notified in the coming weeks and they will not be charged to have the problem fixed.