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Lawsuit Contends Ford Motor Put U.S. Consumers At Risk

DETROIT (WWJ) - A lawsuit filed this week claims Ford Motor Company was installing electronic systems in its vehicles in Europe that could prevent unintended acceleration as early as 2005, but didn't take the same precautions in the U.S. for another five years.

The complaint was filed in West Virginia on behalf of Ford customers in 14 states.  It claims Ford was aware of the risk of unintended acceleration in its vehicles sold in the U.S. but concealed it from customers.   Ford said in a statement to the Detroit News it had complied with recommendations and directives from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration.

Plaintiffs in the case are asking for compensation for loss of value in the cars they purchursed and for Ford to fix the problem.

According to PRNewswire the cars named in the complaint are:

•Ford vehicles: 2005-2007 500; 2005-2009 Crown Victoria; 2005-2010 Econoline; 2007‑2010 Edge; 2009-2010 Escape; 2005-2010 Escape HEV; 2005-2010 Expedition; 2004-2010 Explorer; 2007-2010 Explorer Sport Trac; 2004-2010 F-Series; 2009-2010 Flex; 2008-2010 Focus; 2005-2007 Freestyle; 2006-2010 Fusion; 2005-2010 Mustang; 2008-2010 Taurus; 2008-2009 Taurus X; 2002-2005 Thunderbird; and 2010 Transit Connect.

•Lincoln vehicles: 2003-2006 LS; 2006-2008 Mark LT; 2009-2010 MKS; 2010 MKT; 2007-2010 MKX; 2006-2010 MKZ; 2005-2009 Town Car; and 2006-2010 Zephyr.

•Mercury vehicles: 2002-2005 Cougar (XR7); 2005-2009 Grand Marquis; 2009-2010 Mariner; 2005-2010 Mariner HEV; 2006-2010 Milan; 2005-2007 Montego; 2004-2010 Mountaineer; and 2008-2010 Sable.

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