US Broadens Investigation into Ford Engine Malfunctions to Encompass Two Engine Types and Nearly 709,000 Vehicles

34

United States automotive safety regulators have widened their investigation into engine malfunctions in Ford Motor Co. vehicles to now encompass approximately 709,000 units.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) disclosed in documents made public on Monday that it has escalated the probe to the level of an engineering analysis, which moves it one step nearer to potentially issuing a recall.

The expanded inquiry now involves Ford’s F-150 pickup trucks in addition to the Explorer, Bronco, and Edge sport utility vehicles (SUVs), as well as Lincoln’s Nautilus and Aviator SUVs. The vehicles in question are from the 2021 and 2022 model years and are equipped with either 2.7-liter or 3.0-liter V6 turbocharged engines.

According to NHTSA, these engines are susceptible to a sudden loss of power resulting from catastrophic engine failure, ostensibly caused by defective valves, under routine driving conditions.

The regulatory body initiated its preliminary investigation in May of the previous year, spurred by three letters it received from vehicle owners. Initially, the scrutiny was focused solely on the 2.7-liter engines in Ford Broncos.

In the intervening period, Ford has reported 861 instances comprising customer complaints, warranty claims, and engine replacements that also involve the other aforementioned models. Thus far, there have been no reports of accidents or injuries attributable to the engine issues.

Ford has informed NHTSA through official documentation that the malfunctioning intake valves typically fail early in the lifespan of the vehicle and that the majority of such failures have already occurred. In a proactive step, Ford revealed that it implemented a design change to the valves in October 2021.

In a public statement issued on Monday, Ford declared its cooperation with NHTSA in supporting the ongoing investigation.

NHTSA has stated that it intends to assess the frequency with which these engine issues manifest and will also evaluate the efficacy of the manufacturing improvements Ford has instituted to mitigate the problem.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ford engine investigation

More about Ford engine investigation

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
• Ford Motor Co. Official Website
• [Ford Engine Failure Investigation Details](Link to detailed investigation details if available)
• [Ford’s Statement on the Investigation](Link to Ford’s official statement regarding the investigation)