On Thursday, February 28 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a consumer advisory urging drivers of specified Ford vehicles to seek repair of a faulty cruise control switch. Failure to do so could lead to unexpected and spontaneous car fires.

Of the 10 million vehicles effected, less than 50% have undergone the needed repair. According to the NHTSA fires can occur in the models even when the car is parked and the engine off. "Failure to have the switch disconnected could lead to a vehicle at any time," said the agency advisory text.

Two avenues may be taken to address the issue, the installation of a wiring harness around the switch, or complete disengagement of the switch. Although Ford supports the issuance of the advisory, the company indicated it was not aware of fires, injuries, or accidents resulting from the recall.

New notifications are being sent to owners of the following models:

1993-2004 Ford F-150

1993-1999 F-250 with gasoline engine

1993-1996 Ford Bronco

1994-1996 Ford Econoline

1997-2002 Ford Expedition

1998-2002 Lincoln Navigator

1998-2002 Ford Ranger

1992-1998 Ford Crown Victoria

1992-1998 Mercury Grand Marquis

1992-1998 Lincoln Town Car

1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII

1993-1995 Ford Taurus SH0 with automatic transmission

1994 Mercury Capri

1998-2001 Ford Explorer Sport

1998-2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

1992-1993, 1997-2003 Ford E-150-350 gasoline or natural gas engine

2002 Ford E-550 with gasoline engine

1996-2003 Ford E-450 gasoline or natural gas engine

1994-2002 Ford F-250 through F-550 Super Duty trucks

2000-2002 Ford Excursion with gas engine

2003 Ford F-250-F-550 Super Duty, Ford Excursion

1995-2002 Ford F-53 motor home chassis

2002-2003 Lincoln Blackwood