A federal highway safety agency announced that it has expanded its investigation into the alleged engine defects of Ford Motor’s vehicles.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) first launched its probe last year following three letters from consumers about an alleged defect in Ford engines. According to the agency, supposedly flawed valves led to catastrophic engine failure even under normal driving conditions.
The investigation involved vehicles from the 2021 and 2022 model years. They include the Ford Bronco and other vehicles with the 2.7L EcoBoost engines. Initial estimates placed the number of potentially affected vehicles at 229,829.
However, since the investigation began, Ford reported receiving an additional 861 customer complaints, warranty claims, and requests for engine replacements. In response, the NHTSA has expanded its probe to include Ford vehicles with 3.0L V6 turbocharged engines.
The issue is now estimated to affect as many as 708,837 vehicles.
While the investigation hasn’t led to a recall yet, the NHTSA said it upgraded its inquiry to an engineering analysis, bringing it closer to requesting a withdrawal of the affected vehicles. The agency also said it will review how often the engine failure problem happens and Ford’s manufacturing improvements to tackle the issue.
Can the Lemon Law help with engine failure issues?
Per California’s Lemon Law, a manufacturer may be required to purchase back a car owner’s vehicle if after several “reasonable” repair attempts the vehicle continues to suffer problems.
If the NHTSA’s investigation finds that Ford’s engine failure is a constant issue, vehicle owners may be eligible to sell back their cars.
Californians have a right to choose a refund over having another replacement that might fail them again. Drivers planning to request a manufacturer buyback under the Lemon Law should consider legal counsel to ensure their vehicles meet the state’s requirements.