FORD is recalling just under half the Pumas sold in the UK because of a braking malfunction. Owners are being asked to take their cars to a Ford dealer to have a brake master cylinder replaced.

A Ford spokesman said: 'A small valve inside the brake master cylinder, which controls the pressure in one brake circuit during operation of the anti-lock brake system, may become temporarily dislodged, allowing pressure in that circuit to fail during normal, non-ABS, braking. The valve concerned is not connected to the other independent brake circuit which will continue to operate normally. However, pedal travel would be extended and greater pressure needed to bring the vehicle to a halt.' The condition, he said, does not result in brake failure.

Of the 10,600 Pumas sold in the UK since its July 1997 launch, 4,579 have been recalled and written notification of the fault should have reached customers. The fault was detected in a single batch of brake master cylinders manufactured by one supplier and fitted to cars built between March 6, 1998 and the end of September. The repair work takes just over an hour and there is no charge to the customers. For further information ring the Ford customer information line on 0345 231231.