NHTSA Closes Probe into Ford’s Faulty EcoBoost Engines

In July 2022, regulators started looking into reports of engine failures affecting 2021 Ford’s Bronco SUVs. It then turned into a two-year probe covering more than 411,000 vehicles outfitted with Ford’s EcoBoost engines, including the Ford F-150 Bronco, Edge and Explorer, as well as the Lincoln Aviator and Nautilus. On Monday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it has closed the investigation into 411,000 Ford SUVs and pickup trucks with EcoBoost engines over a potentially defective engine that could lose power without warning.

(Image Credit: ford)

In July 2022, the U.S. auto safety regulator opened its investigation into Ford Bronco vehicles equipped with 2.7L EcoBoost engines over concerns of a faulty valvetrain.

Ford EcoBoost investigation

The probe was expanded later to include other models including the Ford Edge, F-150, Explorer and Lincoln Aviator and Nautilus vehicles with 2.7L or 3.0L EcoBoost engines from the 2021 and 2022 model years.

Under normal driving conditions and without warning, vehicles may lose power and be unable to restart due to a faulty valve. NHTSA said it had 1,066 unique vehicle reports of the issue.

NHTSA closes probe on Ford EcoBoost

The NHTSA closed the probe after Ford agreed to check potentially affected engines and give owners an extended warranty.

Ford and NHTSA’s own inspectors confirmed that the issue concerns a faulty intake valve that could drop inside the EcoBoost engine, causing it to lose power or shut down. NHTSA’s forensic analysis found the defective valves would fracture when exposed to high temperatures during regular engine use. The faulty valves were made between May and October 2021, NHTSA said.

Ford vehicle recalled over safety

In August, Ford recalled 90,000 vehicles after the automaker determined not all valves produced were defective, and that most failures occurred in vehicles that had been in use for a short time.

Ford’s recall fix includes a dealer inspection and a test to determine if the vehicle has not met a minimum usage level to identify if it was equipped with defective valves.

Ford’s engine problem decreased

Ford said data indicates the vast majority of failures have occurred in cars before they had been driven 20,000 miles, with over half of all reported failures occurring before 5,000 miles.

The intake valve material was changed for vehicles produced after October 2021, Ford said.

NHTSA said the rate of reported failures related to the faulty valve issue has steadily decreased since November 2021.

Extra warranty by Ford

On Monday, Ford noted it would provide an extended warranty coverage on the 90,000 recalled vehicles for 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever occurs earlier. It also said it was unaware of any crashes or injuries as a result of the issue.

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