AUTOS

Ford, Mazda Announce Vehicle Recalls: Ford Motor Co. and Mazda Motor of America Inc. are recalling almost 359,000 Ford Explorer and Mazda Navajo sport utility vehicles from the 1991 model year to install a battery cover, the companies said. The new part is designed to prevent acid from damaging the vehicle’s wiring harness. About 344,000 Explorers are affected by the recall, Ford said. Mazda said 14,663 Navajos, almost identical to the Explorer, need to be called back. A wiring harness damaged from battery acid could prevent the vehicles from starting. Ford said it knows of about 100 cases of damage.