PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - An interesting take on media coverage of the Toyota recalls:

From the OP..
"* Just for humor value: Ford’s only item is recalling 429 vans for bracket placement that would not fare well in a severe accident. Funny, they’re not owned by the government, yet their issues are much less widespread or serious. Hmmm, odd, that."

To which I reply....

October 2009 Update: Ford Recalls Another 4.5 million Vehicles Due To Fire Risk

On October 13, 2009, Ford Motor Co. expanded its largest-ever recall by about 4.5 million vehicles equipped with a faulty cruise-control switch linked to at least 550 vehicle fires nationwide, and the destruction of many homes and other properties. Ford has now recalled more than 14 million vehicles in eight separate recalls over a 10-year period because of the problem.
The new recall includes:

* 1995-2003 model year Ford Windstar
* 2000-2003 Ford Excursion diesels
* 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 Ford F-Super Duty diesel
* 1992-2003 Ford Econoline
* 1995-2002 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer
* 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 Ford Ranger
* 1994 Ford F53 Motor home vehicles equipped with the Texas Instruments speed control deactivation.

What is the Ford Fire Recall?
Since 1999, the Ford Motor Company has recalled over 10.4 million Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars, SUVs and pickup trucks due to faulty cruise control switches, which can corrode overtime and catch fire. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration's (NHTSA) has reported receiving 1,472 complaints connected to the defect, including 65 fires.

NHTSA Issues Second Recall Notice: On September 9, 2008, the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration recalled millions of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury SUV's pickup trucks, vans and cars. This advisory was the second recall warning this year regarding what NHTSA calls a "defective cruise control switch that could lead to a fire at any time, even while the vehicle is turned off, parked and unattended." Of the 12 million vehicles recalled in the earlier February recall, nearly 5 million still have not been brought in for repair. The agency has received nearly 60 complaints of fires that occurred in the affected vehicles. It is also currently investigating a similar problem in Ford Windstar vans. The agency has received more than 130 complaints of alleged fires in those vehicles.

* Millions of Ford Vehicles With The Same Or Similar Defective Switch Have Not Been Recalled: Ford’s recall is under inclusive and many persons have reported fires in vehicles not included in the recall. Last year CNN reported that a Ford document it obtained showed that the same or similar switch was installed in a total of 16 million Ford vehicles. A list of these vehicles is printed in the box at the right side of this page.

The Ford Switch Defect Explained
The Ford Speed Control Deactivation Switch, also known as a "brake pressure switch," costs about $21. The switch shuts off the cruise control when the driver firmly steps on the brakes. The switch is located under the hood of the vehicle and is attached to the brake master cylinder on one end and wired to the cruise control on the other. This position places it above flammable reservoirs of brake fluid.
On most of its models, Ford designed the switch to be powered -- or "hot" -- at all times, even when the vehicle is off and the key is removed from the ignition.
Inside the switch, a thin film barrier separates brake fluid from the switch's electrical components.
Investigators say fires can break out under certain conditions, such as when the film cracks and brake fluid from the master cylinder seeps into the electrical side of the switch. This can cause a fire, even when the engine had been turned off and, in some cases, idle for days.
The following signs could indicate that you have a problem with your cruise-control switch: cruise control is not working properly; brake fluid is leaking around the switch; fuses are blown near the switch; or the fuse for the speed control cannot be opened."
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So, by the author of the OP's logic, Ford has no issues because it's not "government owned and their issues are far less widespread." So if Ford's issues started back in 1999, obviously Clinton started the deception of this problem, Bush and the republicans took over in 2000 and sequestered it for eight years and now the current administration is continuing the cover-up by diverting attention to Toyota and Honda.. (TOTALLY SARCASTIC REMARK)

Get a grip...

SLIGHTLY O/T EDIT: As for Toyota's dragging a$$ to make repairs:

Repeated delays by Ford in obtaining sufficient parts to repair the recalled cars and trucks continues to frustrate and anger Ford owners. A Phoenix, Arizona Ford owner told ConsumerAffairs.Com that he received the recall notice on his 2000 Ford Ranger in August of 2007.

“I took the truck to a dealer and they disconnected the device. As of now, April 2008, the cruise control has not been fixed and the dealer has no idea when the new part will be available. Ford won't tell them,” the truck owner said.

Read more: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/04/ford_fires7.html#ixzz0fG5YYA9Q