The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated two investigations concerning Ford vehicles, amid worries that past safety recalls might not have addressed all necessary issues.

On November 15, NHTSA revealed these inquiries, which impact over 500,000 Ford trucks and SUVs.

Issues with Seatbelt Deployment and Power Loss

The first investigation looks into unintentional deployment of the seatbelt tensioners in 2019 and 2020 Ford Expeditions. NHTSA reported three complaints of a loud noise preceding the seatbelt tightening abruptly.

Earlier, in February, Ford had recalled about 77,574 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles made between 2018 and 2020 due to malfunctioning seatbelts that would lock unexpectedly. The latest complaints involve models outside the original recall’s scope.

The second investigation pertains to over 450,000 Ford Bronco Sport SUVs and Ford Maverick trucks, focusing on reports of these vehicles suddenly losing power.

In April 2024, Ford had issued a safety recall covering 456,565 Ford Bronco Sport (2021-2024 models) and Ford Maverick (2022-2023 models) after identifying failures in the body and powertrain control modules. These failures could hinder the detection of the battery’s charge state, which might cause the loss of electrical systems like hazard lights or result in a loss of driving power, heightening the risk of accidents.

Post-recall, NHTSA noted receiving 15 reports from Ford Bronco owners who, after repair, experienced sudden power loss.

Ford Faces Civil Penalty for Recall Issues

These investigations follow the NHTSA’s announcement that Ford will pay a $165 million civil penalty for failing to recall defective vehicles and provide accurate information regarding recalls.

NHTSA indicated that Ford did not act promptly to recall vehicles with faulty rearview cameras, an investigation that commenced in 2020.

This civil penalty marks the second largest in NHTSA history.