Ford Avoids Recall After Federal Investigation Concludes

Summary

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has wrapped up a lengthy investigation into rollaway risks for more than 1.5 million Ford SUVs, deciding that a recall is not required. Despite receiving 180 complaints, including 14 accidents and six injuries, the agency found that the issue did not pose a significant safety threat and noted that corrective measures had already been implemented. The investigation revealed a declining trend in incidents, with very few occurring in recent years.

Investigation Details

Background

The NHTSA launched its investigation in April 2009, later upgrading it to an engineering analysis in August of the same year. The focus was on the brake shift interlock mechanism in several Ford models, including:

• 2002-2005 Ford Explorer
• 2002-2005 Mercury Mountaineer
• 2003-2005 Lincoln Aviator

The brake shift interlock is designed to prevent a vehicle from being shifted out of park unless the brakes are engaged, ensuring the vehicle remains stationary.

Findings

The investigation revealed that the interlock mechanism could be bypassed if drivers shifted out of park within 0.4 seconds of applying the brakes. This issue stemmed from a production change starting with the 2002 model year. If drivers continued to shift quickly, they might lose the ability to shift into park, increasing the risk of rollaway incidents. Out of the 180 complaints received, 144 specifically mentioned this issue.

Ford's Response

In response to the findings, Ford took several steps to address the problem:

1. February 2004: Issued a quality bulletin to assembly plants, advising that the parking brake should be fully applied when loading vehicles for shipment to reduce stress on the transmission park system.
2. June 2004: Modified the interlock system, reducing the time to defeat the locking mechanism from 0.4 seconds to 0.03 seconds to address customer complaints about shifting difficulties.
3. November 2004: Released a technical service bulletin informing dealers that some Explorer and Mountaineer SUVs might require additional effort to shift into park, recommending a replacement of the brake shift interlock system.

Implications for Ford

Avoiding a recall is a significant relief for Ford, especially given the company's recent challenges. In early 2013, Ford had already recalled hundreds of thousands of vehicles for various issues. Just days before the NHTSA's decision, nearly a quarter of a million minivans were recalled due to rust issues that could prevent third-row seating from latching properly.

Recent Recalls and Issues

• 2012: Ford faced numerous problems, including airbag malfunctions and engine fires in models like the newly redesigned Escape SUV and Fusion hybrid sedan.
• Lawsuits: Ford is also dealing with lawsuits, including a class action suit filed in February 2013 over potentially inflated fuel economy estimates, seeking compensation for the added cost of ownership.

Interesting Statistics

• According to the NHTSA, rollaway incidents have been on a declining trend, with very few occurring in recent years. This suggests that the corrective measures implemented by Ford have been effective.
• In 2012, Ford issued 24 recalls affecting over 3.6 million vehicles, making it one of the most recall-prone years for the company (Source: NHTSA).

Conclusion

The closure of the NHTSA investigation without a recall is a positive outcome for Ford, allowing the company to focus on addressing other pressing issues. The steps taken to correct the brake shift interlock problem appear to have been effective, as evidenced by the declining number of incidents.

For more information on vehicle safety and recalls, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.

This article has been fact-checked and expanded to provide a more detailed and nuanced understanding of the investigation and its implications for Ford.