Ford Repair: Ford (Mazda) vehicle recall notice, control switches, truck ford

Question
This is the first time I've ever been involved in any kind of recall, and its also (coincidentally) my first US made vehicle I've purchased. I received a recall notice about my cruise control causing a fire. The vehicle is now 6 years old its a 2002, why if it has been functioning for 6 years fine would it all of a sudden be a safety hazard? I know now why everybody has warned me not to buy US made vehicles.

Answer
Dean-

  Well...in all honesty there's an extremely slim chance of your car having the problem that's being recalled.  That being said, when a car company sees a statistically improbable number of similar problems in any make or model they have to recall every vehicle that could possibly contain the problem part or parts.  I actually had to attend a 3 hour long seminar in college just on recalls alone and trust me, the percentage of vehicles actually effected is nowhere near the number of vehicles recalled.  I suppose it's still a good idea to take your vehicle in (I assume it's a truck...Ford had problems with F-150 cruise control switches and probably passed it on to Mazda) and have the part replaced.  It's small and free insurance just in case.  Hope this helps.