Ford recalls police cars and taxis for fire risk

DETROIT - Ford Motor Co said on Friday it is recalling 155,700 Crown Victoria sedans used as police cars or taxi cabs because of a fire risk.

A sound insulator under the dash of the 2003-2005 model year Crown Victorias could slip out of position and overheat, Ford spokeswoman Kristen Kinley said.

"It could overheat and smoke or char the components. There have been very few reports of fire, although we've had one or two," she said.

The automaker has had no reports of any accidents or injuries resulting from the problem, she added.

The bulk of the vehicles affected by the voluntary recall are in the United States and Canada, she said.

Owners of the recalled vehicles will be notified shortly to bring the sedans to a Ford dealership and have the problem fixed, Kinley said.

In January, Ford recalled 792,000 pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles because of a fire risk from overheating of the speed control switch.

- REUTERS