NHTSA orders recall of Ford, GM models

DETROIT – Ford Motor Co. will recall 43,459 Lincoln Continentals from model years 1999-2000 because air bags may deploy inadvertently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Friday.

Federal regulators said air bags on some of the cars could be triggered by gravel or debris thrown from the wheels that strike the underbody near sensors.

Dealers will recalibrate the air bag sensors. Ford began notifying owners March 31.

In addition, NHTSA said General Motors Corp. will recall 44,653 midsize sport utility vehicles from model year 2003 to replace a faulty brake pipe that could fracture.

Such a fracture could reduce front brake performance, NHTSA said.

The vehicles involved are the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy and Oldsmobile Bravada.

GM will begin notifying owners May 29. Dealers will replace the left-front brake pipe.