Ford recalls 370,000 cars

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

NEW YORK (AP) - Ford is recalling 370,000 cars due to potential corrosion to their steering shaft that may result in loss of steering.

No incidents or injuries have been reported.

The cars include 2005 to 2011 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Cars. About 355,000 are in the U.S. and 15,000 in Canada.

Dealers will inspect the cars and may replace the lower intermediate steering shaft and if necessary resecure a lower steering column bearing and replace the upper intermediate steering shaft.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20130901/DA8HNCI82.html

[cvoogt]

1. I hope they keep them

I don't understand why they still even make those models.

[BlueJazz]

2. LOL! "Boss, these fucking people won't come back and pick up their cars"

[Spitfire of ATJ]

3. The Crown Victoria is the classic cop car.

[cvoogt]

10. I know

So classic that they all look like a throwback to a bygone era, but it's nearly 2020 and they're still on the damn roads. I just don't get it. The MPG is under 20 MPG ... ridiculous, really. And that is paid for by taxpayer money to boot. I say, give all the cops Teslas. It's not like they need to drive far. I remember back in the 80's and 90's seeing German cop cars that were Porsche 911's ... which was necessary because certain parts of the Autobahn don't have speed limits, and to catch a 911 you can't be driving a Jetta, or a Crown Vic..

[Spitfire of ATJ]

12. Ever see the movie "Demolition Man"? The cop cars on there were actual GM 100 mpg prototypes...

http://cleantechnica.com/2012/10/02/the-gm-ultralite-1400-lbs-100-mpg-and-you-cant-have-it/

[cvoogt]

13. I remember that

The electric car nearly got killed. Check out "Who Killed the Electric Car?" I remember the EV1 back in the 90s. The powers that be decided SUVs would be far more profitable. We have the technology and have done for some time, but greed causes companies to hang on to innovations as long as possible and then let trickle them down to the public slowly, squeezing maximum profit out of it along the way. Mercedes used to make cars that could last 30 years but that's no longer the case... not profitable enough. Many houses even are built for a 15-yr lifespan these days, when they used to be built for much longer. I find it funny how many states are trying to keep Tesla from selling its cars directly to the consumer, saying they must use dealerships. Free markets are apparently one good in some cases.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

14. I still crack up at the way Limbaugh played his own audience....

The fools bought his crap about the SUV being a "freedom" issue and ran out to buy them by the dozen and slap on bumper stickers saying "8 MPG" thinking that they were pissing off the tree huggers.

Then Bush tripled the price of gas.

You can BET that Limbaugh owned stock in Big Oil.

I had a car with the 22 gallon tank once. But it was back in these days:

[ForgoTheConsequence]

17. "but it's nearly 2020 and they're still on the damn roads."

It's not "nearly 2020" but that should tell you something about the craftsmanship of those cars. That 4.6 engine has no trouble going 300,000 miles. We used to have one and got 25-26 on the highway. It also had a limited slip so it was great in the snow.

[cvoogt]

18. I was being a bit facetious

.. but 2020 is really not that far off in terms of industrial cycles / progress goes. Nissan is going to be coming out with self-driving (and probabvly all-electric) cars around 2015, with their entire line available as self-driving by 2020. Not sure yet how I feel about self-driving, but the point is, I feel like the US automakers are still playing catch-up. I think the Ford Focus and Chevy Volt are a giant step in the right direction.

I don't doubt the craftsmanship of those cars, I just have a hard time accepting MPGs under 35 or so on new models. Especially for gov't vehicles I think there should be some consideration of MPG since it's taxpayer dollars paying the gas. I have to say, I do LOVE the older model Lincoln's (Town Car) and most Cadillacs (older models... pre-2000) just for the comfort. But as for the atrocious MPG.. "why???!!!" is what I keep wondering. I know we can do better.

"That 4.6 engine has no trouble going 300,000 miles"
That's nice but uses up more gas than it should.

[JohninPA]

20. I'm a bit ashamed but..

I have been hoping to pick up a used Crown Vic. My last car was a Honda Civic, but at 6'6" and very close to 300lbs, I didn't fit very well. I was scared to death about getting into an accident because my head touched the roof and I was sure I was going to snap my neck. I would absolutely love a car that got 35mpg that I actually fit into. At the moment I am driving a 2 door Jeep Wrangler. My head doesn't hit the roof, but it is not what I would call an efficient vehicle. Since I drive mostly highway and baby it, I average 23 MPG. Not good enough, but what is the jolly green giant to do?

[cvoogt]

21. I hear ya

They don't really make a 35 mpg SUV yet. Some get close to 28 mpg but they tend to be pricey. The Prius (model IV anyway) is larger inside than it looks from outside, so you might be surprised. Bigger inside than a Civic for sure.

[JohninPA]

24. Thanks!

I'll have to see if I fit. I was hoping that the TDI Jetta would work, but my head was also touching the roof.

[jmowreader]

22. Which means the taxpayers don't have to buy new cop cars every three years

[John1956PA]

4. Ford discontinued the Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, and Town Car.

Last edited Tue Sep 3, 2013, 06:47 PM - Edit history (1)

When Ford announced that the Crown Victoria was being discontinued, many police departments were disappointed because those cars are durable and relatively easy to maintain and repair. Also, the interior of the Crown Victoria is a bit roomier than that of other models used for police cars.

[Mosby]

7. another factor is that the crown vic is RWD

RWD cars are more stable in more conditions than front wheel drive mostly because the weight is better distributed.

[John1956PA]

9. Yes, the rear-wheel-drive feature is desirable for police cars.

Last edited Wed Sep 4, 2013, 02:38 PM - Edit history (1)

That factor was on my mind when I wrote my post. I do not drive at high speeds, but, if I had to, I think I would prefer doing so in a rear-wheel-drive car. After all, NASCAR cars and Indy cars are all rear-wheel-drive.

My 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis has held up well. I purchased it because I wanted a rear-wheel-drive car.

Currently, the list of new rear-wheel-drive U.S. car models is down to the following:

Cadillac ATS
Cadillac CTS
Chrysler 300
Ford Mustang
Chevrolet Camaro
Chevrolet Corvette
Ford Mustang

Added to the above list on 09-04-2013:

Dodge Charger

[jmowreader]

23. There will soon be another - the Chevrolet SS will soon debut

This is the same model of car they were importing from Australia as the Pontiac G8 until Pontiac went belly-up.

[snooper2]

25. you are missing at least 3 on that list

Just FYI-

[John1956PA]

26. Yes, I missed the Dodge Charger and likely other RWD cars, too.

I will work on making a complete list of the current U. S. rear-wheel-drive cars.

[snooper2]

27. You are late to the game, already websites dedicated to that

[bluedigger]

15. They are a good value for a used car around here.

If you don't drive a lot and need a roomier car when you do they fit the bill. They are inexpensive to keep maintained also, which a lot of people focused on fuel economy overlook.

[pstokely]

19. many police departments are hoarding unused Crown Vics

nt

[bigdarryl]

5. I would never buy a Ford or GM car there all JUNK

Drive Honda

[Fuddnik]

6. I bought my last one.

Likely, so did thousands of others.

They scammed everyone on the EPA mileage estimates for the C-Max Hybrid, and probably the Fusion Hybrid too (Don't believe that new commercial where the Fusion Hybrid gets better mileage than the Prius V).

I traded in a 2008 Prius on this piece of shit that got an actual 47-50 mpg. The Fords have an EPA estimated mileage of 47 mpg. The best, the very best, I've been able to get is 37 mpg. After several class action lawsuits were filed they had a recall to reprogram the engine control module. Didn't do shit. And don't even get me started on the Ford Touch option. Powered by Microsoft. No wonder.

Fuck Ford.

[llmart]

16. Well, I beg to differ with you.....

I have a C-Max hybrid and if you drive them correctly you can get 47-51 mpg.

I love my C-Max.

[Union Scribe]

11. nice sentiment on Labor Day.

On behalf of the UAW thanks for your support

[Jamastiene]

8. Fucked Over Rebuilt Dodge.

Mustangs were the only Fords I ever liked. The rest rust too fast and suck. Can't keep the fuckers on the road.

I'll stick with my old Nissan Sentra that rivals some of the cars today when it comes to MPG. Other than mice liking the car as much as I do, I haven't had any troubles with the car itself.