The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced that it is widening its investigation into Ford Motor Co. trucks and SUVs built with a faulty valve. The initial probe, launched in July 2022, covered 25,000 vehicles but will now expand to 708,000 vehicles. The investigation will include an engineering analysis after NHTSA identified multiple contributing factors in the impacted vehicles.
The vehicles affected by the probe include Ford Bronco, Edge, Explorer, F-150, Lincoln Aviator, and Nautilus models from the years 2021 and 2022. NHTSA has received reports of 328 customer complaints, 487 warranty claims, and 809 engine exchanges related to these vehicle populations.
The engineering analysis will evaluate the range and frequency of allegations specifically regarding vehicles equipped with the 2.7L and 3.0L EcoBoost engines. This analysis is a necessary step before the administration can implement a recall.
According to NHTSA, following valve fractures, a vehicle typically requires a full engine replacement. Ford has acknowledged the issue and stated that most of the failures have already occurred in the early life of the vehicles. The safety regulator will be working with the Vehicle Research and Testing Center to evaluate field return parts and analyze the effect of time-in-service on failure rates for the affected engines.
This expanded investigation highlights the ongoing efforts by regulators to ensure the safety and reliability of vehicles on the road. It serves as a reminder for vehicle manufacturers to address any potential defects promptly to protect the consumers and avoid potential accidents or engine failures.
Sources:
- NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) - https://www.nhtsa.gov/