January 27, 2005 14:37:22 (ET)

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) - Ford Motor said Thursday it will recall about 792,000 SUVs and trucks, including the Ford F-150, the best-selling vehicle in the United States.

Other vehicles covered in the recall include 2000 model year Ford Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators, as well as 2001 F-Series Supercrew trucks made during the same time.

The No. 2 U.S. automaker said the speed control switch in these four-to-five year old models could cause fires under the hood.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began an investigation into these vehicle two months ago after 36 reports of fires, without injuries.

"We recognize this may be an inconvenience, but we believe this preventive action is in the best interest of our customers' safety," the company said.

Until Ford can acquire enough replacement speed control switches, the company said it will deactivate the switches currently in the vehicles to eliminate the risk of fires.

Ford will notify owners of these vehicles by mail beginning in February.

Shares of Ford Motor (F, Trade) fell 16 cents, or 1.2 percent, to $13.19 in recent trading.

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SCOOP
oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs

65 coupe 351w C4 Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8" 3.40 TracLoc.

a. 36 failures out of millions and millions of trucks built isn't all that bad.

b. If they were GM or Dodge, they wouldn't be recalling, they'd be denying.

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Ed S.