Ford Vehicles Under Investigation for Engine Defects

If you are driving certain models of Ford vehicles, there is a chance you could end up getting in a serious accident. According to recent reports, a number of vehicles manufactured by the Ford Motor Company have a serious flaw in engine performance that makes them a hazard, especially on highways. People in Tennessee who drive these vehicles should be aware of the investigation that is currently underway in regards to these cars.

The types of auto defects that are being looked into by the federal government are not uncommon. With the technological advances that have been made in recent years, however, better reporting of these defects is being seen. Despite the improvement in reporting, dangerous vehicles continue to be released into the market and sold to unknowing consumers. These unsafe products can put a person’s life in danger.

This is the concern with 2009-2011 models of Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner, Ford Fusion and Mercy Milan vehicles. According to recent reports, at least 1,500 people have filed a complaint that these vehicles have had serious engine problems. The engines in these cars unexpectedly shift into a reduced-power mode, cutting power and instantly reducing the speed of the vehicle. There have been three accidents reported that have been caused by this issue, and it can be very dangerous if this happens while someone is driving at highway speeds.

Apparently, the cars are equipped with a setting that shuts down nearly all the power if there is a problem detected in the drivetrain. In order to prevent the engine from being damaged, all but a little of the power is shut off so that a driver can get the car to a service shop. It is called the “limp-home” setting and was intended to be a safety feature of the vehicles. Unfortunately, these settings are kicking in at the wrong times and drivers are experiencing sudden stalling.

The federal government has stepped in to investigate the issue. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has reported that they have identified the faulty parts that are causing the problems, but the complaints continue to roll in. This probe is preliminary but can turn into a product recall if there is enough evidence to warrant such an action.