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Fires: A Burning Issue for Ford

Since the 1970s when the image of flaming Ford Pintos seared itself into the public consciousness, America's number two auto maker has been number one in its association with vehicles that burn.  While General Motors has justifiably gained the ire of juries, as well as public and media attention, for its efforts to hide what it knew about its own rupture-prone fuel tanks, an examination of the public record makes it clear why Ford's fire-related image has endured.Though well behind General Motors in production and sales of cars and trucks (GM's 25.4 million to Ford's 17.3 million), since 1990 Ford has led the industry, in raw numbers and when market-share is considered, in:

•	the number of vehicles recalled for all types of fire related problems;
•	the number of vehicles recalled for electrical fires;
•	the number of fire related defect investigations;
•	the number of fire related public complaints to NHTSA.

The precise cause of fire, of course, varies from one defect to another.  However, one former Ford engineer thinks there is a common thread:  "insufficiently robust design" that happens "when MBA's tell engineers how to build cars." He explained that the prevailing culture among automakers is driven by a relentless drive to maximize profits.  "Robust design" is the first victim because of the cost savings that come with smaller gauge wire, lower grade steel" is the first victim, he said.

In 1996, after months of media and government pressure, Ford announced the largest recall by a single manufacturer in vehicle history.  Of more than 15 million vehicles that had an ignition switch of common design, Ford agreed to recall about 7 million.  Today, according to reports Ford has filed with NHTSA, more than 3 million of the 7 million vehicles recalled with fire-prone ignition switches remain on the highway.  These vehicles catch fire when they are parked with the engine off.  Fires have occurred while the cars are parked in garages, sometimes with disastrous results.

Citizens groups, like Burned Up by Ford and FlamingFords, have sprung up to press Ford and the government for some resolution of these issues.

Ford has become so sensitive about its cars' association with fire, a recent company press release announced that Ford was recalling more than 700,000 Contours and Mystiques (1996-1998 model years) because "the headlight switch wiring harness connector may be damaged by overheating." Ford's press announcement failed to mention that the "overheating" is actually fire.

(04/13/99)