US opens probe into Ford Explorer recalls over power loss reports By Reuters

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: 2020 Ford Explorer automobiles are seen at Ford’s Chicago Meeting Plant in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. June 24, 2019. REUTERS/Kamil Krzaczynski/File Picture

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. auto security regulators stated on Saturday they’re investigating Ford Motor (NYSE:)’s prior remembers of 710,000 Explorer SUVs over energy loss studies to find out if the repair is ample.

The Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) famous the No. 2 U.S. automaker issued remembers in April 2022 and March on Ford Explorer SUVs from the 2020-2022 mannequin years to handle a rear axle horizontal mounting bolt which will fracture and trigger the driveshaft to disconnect.

Ford stated earlier its remembers had been to handle a disconnected driveshaft that might consequence within the automobile rolling away positioned in ‘Park’ with out the parking brake utilized, growing the danger of a crash.

Ford didn’t instantly remark Saturday however stated in March it was not conscious of any crashes or accidents tied to the recall difficulty.

Ford’s repair is so as to add a software program replace that mechanically applies the digital service parking brake to maintain the automobile from rolling away, the company stated, including there isn’t any treatment to handle the failed rear axle horizontal mounting bolt “which is the idea of this security difficulty and the reason for the impaired automobile.”

NHTSA stated it has acquired two complaints alleging a lack of energy or transmission torque of the rear wheels in Explorer automobiles that had acquired the recall repair.

One criticism instructed NHTSA that after getting the software program replace “the automobile would randomly slam to an entire cease whereas driving. It occurred a number of instances with three totally different drivers (myself, my spouse, and my son), every taking place at 30-35 mph or much less.”