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Ford Engine Failure Investigation Concludes with Actions Taken

DETROIT (AP) — The U.S. government’s auto safety authority has formally concluded a lengthy investigation into engine failures in various Ford vehicles after the automaker implemented significant corrective measures, including engine replacements and expanded warranty coverage.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicated in documents shared on its website that the underlying issue was linked to the intake valves of specific 2.7-liter and 3-liter turbocharged engines.

The investigation, initiated in May 2022, examined over 411,000 vehicles from the 2021 and 2022 model years. The affected models primarily included the Ford F-150, Bronco, Edge, and Explorer, as well as the Lincoln Aviator and Nautilus.

At the heart of the inquiry was the risk of severe engine failures attributed to fractured intake valves that could dislodge and collide with the cylinders, potentially causing significant engine damage. The investigation revealed that fractures occurred due to manufacturing issues at a parts supplier, where elevated temperatures during production rendered the valves brittle.

NHTSA’s analysis specified that the faulty valves were produced between May and October 2021. However, Ford argued that not every valve manufactured in this timeframe was defective, and most failures occurred before reaching 20,000 miles of operation.

The agency’s statistical assessments suggested a correlation with Ford’s findings, indicating that the failed valves typically caused problems at low mileage and that many of the affected vehicles had already gone through a failure before the investigation concluded.

In response to the issue, Ford initiated a recall of approximately 91,000 vehicles equipped with valves from the identified manufacturing period. These vehicles will undergo testing, and necessary replacements will be made as required. Additionally, the automaker has broadened warranty coverage for these vehicles to last for 10 years or 150,000 miles.

Throughout the course of the inquiry, NHTSA reviewed a total of 396 customer complaints, 825 warranty claims, and documented 936 engine replacements related to the valve issues. Notably, there were no reports of accidents or injuries stemming from the engine failures.

Source
www.yahoo.com