U.S. Safety Investigators Expand Ford Engine Failure Investigation
By Joe Hathaway on Wednesday, October 4th, 2023 in Featured Stories More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
DETROIT — U.S. auto safety investigators are broadening their inquiry into Ford Motor Co. engine issues, now encompassing approximately 709,000 vehicles.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also said in documents posted Monday on its website that it upgraded the investigation to an engineering analysis, a step closer to a recall.
The probe involves Ford’s F-150 pickups, Explorers, Broncos, and Edge SUVs, as well as Lincoln Nautilus and Aviator SUVs, all from the 2021 and 2022 model years with 2.7-liter or 3.0-liter V6 turbocharged engines.
The agency says that under normal driving conditions the engines can lose power due to catastrophic engine failure related to allegedly faulty valves.
The NHTSA says Ford disclosed 861 customer complaints, warranty claims, and engine replacements across various models, all free from reported crashes or injuries. Ford asserts that defective intake valves typically fail early in a vehicle’s life, with most incidents already occurring.
The company communicated to the NHTSA that it implemented a valve design change in October 2021. Ford is collaborating in the ongoing investigation, and the agency plans to assess the frequency of the problem and the effectiveness of Ford’s manufacturing improvements aimed at resolving it.
