Ford Motor Company is conducting a safety recall to inspect the intermediate steering-shaft yoke on certain '97 Ford F-150 and F-250 pickups and Ford Expeditions. In a small number of these trucks, the intermediate steering-shaft yoke was not properly installed, and the result ultimately may be a disconnection of the intermediate steering shaft from the steering gear. This is a high-mileage durability issue that may manifest itself into an eventual loss of steering.
About 185,000 trucks will be inspected in the recall. Ford anticipates that less than 1 percent of these vehicles will need repair. Steering shafts that are not fully seated will be replaced.
Ford and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration identified three alleged minor accidents with two alleged minor injuries during a joint investigation of the condition. Ford will begin sending letters to customers next week with instructions on when to take their vehicles to dealerships. Customers will not be charged for the repairs.
CORR Racing Receives Continued Support From The General
In a nod toward the popularity of stadium-style off-road racing, General Motors has announced that it will continue its sponsorship of the Championship Off-Road Racing (CORR) series in 2003. The sponsorship will showcase GM's Hydra-Matic automatic transmissions that are used in many of the trucks in the Pro-2 and Pro-4 Series class.
"CORR offers an excellent opportunity for GM to promote Hydra-Matic transmissions because it is one of the premier American off-road truck race series," said Brian Shipman, GM powertrain Hydra-Matic marketing manager. "This sponsorship showcases GM as a world leader of automatic transmissions and the durability of our Hydra-Matic transmissions to withstand high horsepower engines and the intense stresses of off-road racing."
In addition to the CORR sponsorship, Hydra-Matic is offering a contingency program for qualified Pro-2 Series class winners. Cash awards for First, Second, and Third places will be presented at each race. An anticipated 225,000-plus spectators will attend the 14 CORR race events this year.
General Motors Builds Trucks To Meet Law-Enforcement Needs
The General is working with law-enforcement agencies to offer a stable of trucks that are able to meet the various rigors of police work. The Chevrolet Police Tahoe and a police version of the Hummer H1 are targeted for production in the third quarter of '04.
"We are proud of the relationship we have built with law-enforcement agencies across North America. We have a long-standing history supplying vehicles that meet law-enforcement requirements and are pleased that we can offer yet another solid GM product in the Chevrolet Police Tahoe to provide additional options and supplement our already strong lineup of law-enforcement vehicles," said Brian McVeigh, general manager of GM Fleet and commercial operations.