Ford, Toyota recall trucks, sport utilities

WASHINGTON – Ford and Toyota, two of the world’s largest automakers, on Wednesday recalled nearly 5 million pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles in separate moves to respond to concerns of engine fires and problems with the power-steering system.

The recall by Ford Motor Co., the fifth-largest auto industry recall in U.S. history, involved 3.8 million pickups and SUVs from the 1994-2002 model years, including the top-selling F-150 pickup.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Ford have been investigating complaints of engine fires linked to the cruise control switch system.

Toyota Motor Co., meanwhile, recalled 978,000 sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks over complaints that a rod linking the steering wheel and the wheels could fracture when the steering wheel is turned while the vehicle is stopped. The affected vehicles include the 1990-1995 4Runner SUV, 1989-1995 truck 4WD and 1993-1998 T-100 pickup.

In the Ford case, NHTSA said Wednesday it was reviewing 1,170 allegations of engine fires related to the vehicles and would continue a probe launched earlier this year. There have been allegations of three deaths in cases cited in news reports or lawsuits in Iowa, Georgia and Arkansas.

Ford’s recall includes the 1994-2002 F-150, 1997-2002 Ford Expedition, 1998-2002 Lincoln Navigator and 1994-1996 Ford Bronco equipped with factory-installed speed control. It covers most of the vehicles being evaluated by NHTSA.