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PA MOTOR HOME OWNERS REIMBURSED UNDER THE CLEAN AIR ACT

Release Date: 02/04/97
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PA MOTOR HOME OWNERS REIMBURSED UNDER THE CLEAN AIR ACT

FOR RELEASE: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1997

FORD AND JOHN DEERE AGREE TO REIMBURSE MOTOR HOME OWNERS

EPA today entered into an agreement with Ford Motor Co. and John Deere Corp. to resolve air emissions warranty claims
under the Clean Air Act for certain motor homes. The claims involve the failure of components on Ford built engines installed
on chassis by Deere, which were subsequently used to manufacture motor homes by a number of other companies. Under the
terms of the agreement, Ford and Deere will share the cost of reimbursement to the owners. Ford and Deere denied claims
made under the emission warranty for exhaust manifolds and cylinder heads that failed at relatively low mileages. EPA received
complaints from nearly 200 motor home owners that had experienced these problems and paid for repairs. The failures
occurred on certain motor homes equipped with 1986 through 1990 Ford built 460 CID (7.5L) engines. These failures result in
exhaust leaks on some engines. The emission warranty under the Clean Air Act provides warranty coverage for certain engine
components during the engine's useful life as defined by the law which is five years or 50,000 miles. The agreement will provide
coverage or reimbursement for any owners that may have experienced these problems during the warranty period even though
they may not have sought warranty coverage up to this point. Until now, vehicle owners have paid for the repairs at their own
expense, which in some cases was more than $5,000, although most were less than $2,000. Owners who believe the 1986 to
1990 Ford-built engine in their motor home has experienced these problems should contact their local Ford or Deere
dealership.