Ford, Mazda Recalling Cars for Brake Problems

Ford Motor Co. and Mazda Motor Corp. said Monday that they are recalling thousands of vehicles for potential brake problems.

Dearborn, Mich.-based Ford said it recalled about 118,000 defective 1991-1994 model-year Ford Explorer and Ranger vehicles that were originally sold or are registered in 10 Southern California counties.

In some of the vehicles, one or both of the fasteners that attach the brake master cylinder to the brake booster assembly may fracture, Ford said.

Hiroshima, Japan-based Mazda said it is recalling about 500 1991-1994 model-year Mazda Navajo and 2,000 1994 model-year B-Series pickup trucks sold in Southern California for similar problems.

Ford said that in some cases, the problem could result in loss of braking capability without warning. In other cases, a popping sound followed by a “soft” brake pedal may occur, Ford said.

Ford owners are being notified by mail and are requested to contact their dealers for replacement of the brake booster assembly, including new fasteners, free of charge.

“This service should take less than one hour; however, dealers may need to keep vehicles longer to accommodate service schedules,” Ford said.

Mazda said owners of the affected vehicles should bring them to an authorized Mazda dealer for inspection and a new brake booster assembly, which should take less than an hour.