Additional Lawsuit Filed Because of Ford Fires

TAMPA, Fla., May 23, 2005 -- The Peacock Law Firm and the law firm of Dale R. Sisco, P.A., both of Tampa, Florida, filed a class action lawsuit today against the Ford Motor Company and a local Ford dealership. The lawsuit alleges that a fire that destroyed a 2001 Ford Expedition was caused by a defect in the cruise control switch. This vehicle was not part of a related recall by Ford on January 27, 2005. These law firms filed a similar case on May 13, 2005 related to vehicles that were the subject of the recall. This lawsuit is on behalf of the class of car owners not included in the recall.

The vehicle in this case was destroyed by a fire on April 20, 2005. Several days before the fire, the plaintiffs had their vehicle serviced at Bill Currie Ford. The vehicle had been presented for service as a result of the vehicle not being able to be removed from park. This condition has now been recognized as one of the warning signs of the defect. The fire began while their vehicle was parked, with the ignition off, in front of the Plaintiff's residence in Tampa, Florida. The fire also caused damage to their home.

Although Ford was aware of the risk of fire as indicated by the recall, they failed to correct the problem even when the vehicle was presented for service. According to attorney Emily Peacock: "The true measure of the ethics of a person or a corporation is not what they did but what they did next. In this instance, and many others, Ford knew there was a problem but they tried to limit their responsibility." Attorney Dale Sisco added: "It is time for Ford to take full responsibility for the defect, before other damage occurs."

The lawsuit was filed in the Circuit Court in Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida. The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $15,000 and equitable relief. The lawsuit was filed as case number 05-4503-A on behalf of the plaintiffs and all other persons and entities who purchased model years 1995 through 2002, Ford F-150 pick-up trucks; and model years 1997 through 2002 Ford Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators.

Contacts:

Mike Peacock 813.769.2409, cell: 813.833.6049, mpeacock@peacocklawfirm.com

Dale R. Sisco 813.224.0555, cell: 813.508.1342, dsisco@sisco-law.com