NHTSA Escalates Probe into 135,000 Ford Vehicles Over Engine Failure Risk

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has escalated a defect investigation into approximately 135,000 Ford vehicles equipped with 1.0L engines due to a risk of catastrophic engine failure. The probe, now upgraded to an engineering analysis, is a required step before the agency can seek to compel a recall.

Scope of the Investigation

The investigation covers several older models from the automaker, citing a potential for timing belt failures that could lead to a sudden loss of vehicle power. NHTSA has received 355 incident reports from owners alleging this issue.

The affected vehicles include:

• Ford Fiesta
• Ford Focus
• Ford EcoSport

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These models span various model years between 2014 and 2021 and are all equipped with the 1.0L three-cylinder engine.

Technical Fault and Safety Concerns

According to the safety agency's initial findings, the engine's timing belt material can degrade over time. This creates debris that can clog the oil pump's mesh pick-up screen, leading to a significant reduction in engine oil pressure.

NHTSA documents state this condition can result in a sudden loss of power or complete engine seizure, often with little to no warning for the driver. The agency noted that these failures have occurred even on vehicles that have received proper and routine oil maintenance. Based on its analysis, NHTSA said it believes the defect presents an "unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety."