Ford Facing Two Investigations Days After Being Hit With $165M Penalty
Just days after Ford was hit with a $165 million civil fine—the second-largest in U.S. automotive history—federal regulators have launched two new investigations into the automaker's recalls that may not have worked or covered enough vehicles.
What Is the First Probe?
The most extensive investigation centers on approximately 457,000 vehicles, including Ford Bronco Sport SUVs (2021-2024 models) and Maverick pickups (2022-2023 models).
These vehicles were initially recalled in April due to the risk of sudden power loss, attributed to degraded 12-volt batteries.
Despite Ford's corrective measures, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received five complaints from owners who experienced power loss even after the repairs, according to a document the agency posted on Monday. The agency is now assessing whether the recall adequately addressed the defect.
What Is the Second Probe?
A separate probe involves about 113,000 Ford Expeditions from the 2019-2020 model years. Earlier this year, Ford recalled 78,000 units of this SUV after discovering a fault in the seat belt mechanism. According to the company, certain driver and front passenger seat belts could suddenly tighten, potentially trapping occupants without cause.
However, NHTSA reports at least three complaints from owners whose vehicles were not included in the original recall, prompting the agency to investigate whether the scope of the recall was sufficient.
Ford has pledged full cooperation in both investigations.
Regulatory Backlash
These investigations come after the NHTSA announced last Thursday that Ford will pay $165 million for its handling of a separate recall involving faulty rearview cameras.
According to NHTSA, the automaker was too slow to recall vehicles with faulty rearview cameras and failed to provide complete recall information, violating the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act. The penalty underscores the heightened scrutiny facing automakers amid increasing consumer safety concerns.
The stakes for Ford are significant, as the outcome of these investigations could result in expanded recalls or additional penalties.
Meanwhile, the NHTSA has continued to warn consumers of recalls due to safety concerns.
In August, Ford and Mazda issued "do not drive" warnings to owners of more than 457,000 older vehicles across the United States due to a severe safety threat posed by defective Takata air bag inflators.
According to the NHTSA, the warning affects all unrepaired Ford , Lincoln and Mercury vehicles, as well as all Mazda vehicles that are equipped with unrepaired Takata air bags. The advisories cover more than 374,000 vehicles from Ford, spanning model years from 2004 through 2014 and nearly 83,000 Mazda vehicles from 2003 through 2015 model years.
The NHTSA has continuously advised that these faulty air bag inflators could explode with excessive force during a crash, sending shrapnel flying into the vehicle cabin.
Incidents involving the Takata air bags have already resulted in severe injuries and fatalities with 27 deaths reported in the U.S. alone, according to the NHTSA.
This includes reporting from The Associated Press.
