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.