The federal government ordered one of the largest recalls in history earlier this year, recalling up to 12 million Ford, Lincoln and Mercury SUVs, pickup trucks, cars and vans due to a defective cruise control switch that could cause an engine fire at any time -- even when a vehicle had been parked and turned off for hours.    Today, the government is taking the rare step of reissuing the recall.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration spokeswoman Karen Aldana tells CNN that the recall is being renewed, "because of the 12 million vehicles recalled in February, nearly 5 million still have not been brought in for repair."  She explained, "The manufacturer has all the parts available. There is no excuse for not bringing your vehicle in to be fixed." Unrepaired vehicles, she added, pose "a serious fire hazard to vehicles and to dwellings."

Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood told the AP that the company supports the government's decision to issue a second consumer advisory.  "He said owners have received several recall notices," but "the return rate has been lower than expected or hoped (for)."

Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control electrical system as part of the recall, free of charge, which should eliminate the fire risk. 

The AP reports that Ford and the NHTSA have received "hundreds of complaints and dozens of lawsuits over engine fires."  Fires started by the vehicles have allegedly burned dozens of homes, and may have claimed at least two lives.  Five million of these vehicles are still on the road, unrepaired.

A lengthy list of affected vehicles is available in the consumer advisory posted on the NHTSA's press release website.  They include cars, SUVs, trucks and vans.  Twenty-one models of vehicles are listed, ranging from model year 1993 until 2004.  If you own a Ford product from those years, contact your dealer, or call 888-222-2751 to find out if you may need repairs.

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