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NHTSA escalates probe into timing-belt risk on older Ford models
The agency upgraded an investigation covering about 135,000 vehicles and linked the issue to oil pressure warnings that can precede loss of power or engine seizure.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Aug. 3 that it upgraded a defect investigation into certain older Ford Fiesta, Focus and EcoSport vehicles with 1.0L engines, citing unreasonable safety risks tied to timing belt material that may degrade and create debris.
NHTSA said it has received reports of 355 incidents alleging a low engine oil pressure warning light appeared just before a complete loss or reduction of motive power while driving. The agency said its probe found the debris could clog the mesh oil pump pick-up screen, reducing engine oil pressure, and that failures can occur without sufficient warning, including cases despite proper and routine oil maintenance.
NHTSA said it believes there is an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety and that the move to an engineering analysis is a required step before it could seek to compel a Ford recall. Data cited by the agency showed an average failure mileage of about 70,000 miles, and 98% of the failures occurred prior to a 150,000-mile suggested timing belt replacement.
In June, Ford told NHTSA it was adopting a non-safety customer satisfaction program for global vehicles with a 1.0L Fox Classic timing belt, reducing the maintenance interval to 100,000 miles or six years, and offering reimbursement to eligible customers for certain past engine repairs or replacement tied to the timing belt issue, NHTSA said. It was not immediately clear which U.S. vehicles are covered by the program, according to NHTSA.