RECALLS : Ford Begins Huge Vehicle Recall

Ford Motor Co. today announced a series of vehicle recall and warranty actions involving hundreds of thousands of cars and light trucks from the 1986 through 1990 model years.

The first recall involves about 1,200 1990-model Taurus police cars to replace heavy-duty steel wheels that may be cracked. If left unrepaired, the wheel could fracture and cause reduced vehicle control.

Ford is also recalling about 144,000 1989 and 1990 model Bronco and F-series super cab trucks with tip/slide seats to repair or reinforce the floor pan underneath the front seats. About 10% of those trucks have developed cracks and most are on the driver’s side of the vehicle, the No. 2 auto maker said.

The third action involves the recall of about 228,000 1986-model Thunderbird, Cougar, Mustang, Capri, LTD and Marquis cars equipped with 3.8-liter V6 engines to fix unacceptable hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions levels.