Car Club Blog

More than 650,000 trucks manufactured by the Ford Motor Company are being recalled due to a faulty power brake assist hose. The voluntary recall came about because of 11 minor accidents involving the recalled vehicles. Fortunately, no one was injured in these incidents.

Ron Sturgeon, owner of a Dallas TX exotic car rental company is impressed with Ford’s responsiveness. “Ford has done a lot to improve the cars that they are making,” said Sturgeon. “I hope this setback won’t discourage people from taking a fresh look at the good things going on at Ford,” said the owner of a Tarrant County luxury car rental firm.

The Ford recall affects the 2005-2006 models of the Ford F-150 and Lincoln Mark LT pickup trucks. The affected vehicles have 5.4 liter three-valve V8s. The problem prompting the recall arises because the brake hose on these vehicles may swell and eventually detach from the intake manifold.

Although this defect won’t prevent the truck from braking, it will increase the pressure that a driver has to exert on the brake pedal to bring the truck to a stop.

The timing of the recall couldn’t be worse for Ford as the U.S. automaker gears up to launch a new version of its popular F series pick up truck. According to a wire story, Ford’s sales are already down 16% because of record high gas prices and fears of more bad news from the slumping housing sector.

“I remain optimistic that Ford’s renewed focus on making better cars for the American market will payoff in the long run,” says auto afficianado and Dallas web designer Josh Davis.

Parts for the repair to the affected Ford vehicles are not yet available. Ford will begin notifying owners of the recalled vehicles in early July.

Ford dealers will replace the brake hose at no charge to owners of the recalled Ford models.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a freelance writer living in the Twin Cities. Visit her website or email her for information about her freelance writing services.