Ford Motor is under the microscope again as the US auto safety regulator investigates two significant vehicle recalls, marking the latest in a series of regulatory challenges for the automaker.
The new investigations by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) focus on two separate recall actions taken by Ford earlier this year.
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The first investigation examines whether the company should expand its February recall of 77,000 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs over an issue with the seat belt system.
The NHTSA has received three complaints alleging that the seat belt retractor pretensioner deployed unexpectedly, causing the seat belt to rapidly tighten and lock in place, potentially putting passengers at risk.
The issue was originally addressed in February with a recall, but regulators are now investigating whether the scope of the recall was sufficient.
The second investigation concerns Ford’s April recall of approximately 456,000 Bronco Sport and Ford Maverick vehicles, which was initiated due to concerns over sudden loss of engine power linked to an electrical system failure.
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By GlobalDataThe recall was meant to address the potential degradation of the 12-volt battery, with Ford issuing a software update to improve the detection of battery charge levels.
Despite repairs made under the recall, the agency revealed it has received 15 reports of vehicles that experienced engine power loss after being fixed.
Both recalls are now under closer inspection by federal regulators to determine whether Ford’s actions adequately resolve the underlying safety concerns.
In response to the new probes, Ford stated that it is working closely with NHTSA to support both investigations and address the concerns raised.
“We are committed to safety and are actively cooperating with NHTSA,” the company said in a statement.
The latest probes come just days after Ford agreed to a $165m civil penalty for failing to recall vehicles with defective rearview cameras in a timely manner.
Under the agreement, Ford will pay $65m in cash, invest $45m in data analytics and testing, and hold an additional $55m in reserve for pending compliances.
The NHTSA, in August 2021, initiated an investigation to determine if Ford had timely recalled 620,246 vehicles in 2020 for a rear camera issue.
Ford later expanded this recall in 2022, adding approximately 24,000 vehicles in March.
