The U.S. auto safety regulator has initiated an investigation into more than 200,000 Ford vehicles due to complaints of diesel fuel leaks that have the potential to cause fires. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Friday that it would be conducting a preliminary evaluation of Ford F-250, 350, 450, and 550 Super Duty vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines from model years 2015 to 2021. This decision comes after receiving 27 complaints, with 12 reports of fires and four injuries linked to the issue.
According to the NHTSA, the concern revolves around a fracture in the secondary fuel filter of these vehicles. The placement of the filter near high heat sources poses a risk of auto-ignition thermal events and fires if a leak were to occur. The agency has reached out to Allevard Sogefi USA, the manufacturer of the filter, and discovered that the filter is tested at lower pressure levels during production than what the vehicle's fuel system could potentially reach.
Ford has responded by stating that it is collaborating with the NHTSA to assist in the investigation. However, Allevard Sogefi USA's parent company, Sogefi, has not yet issued a comment on the matter. The NHTSA's preliminary evaluation is the initial step in determining whether the identified issue presents a safety hazard. Depending on the findings, the investigation may either proceed to further action or be closed without intervention.
In a separate development, the NHTSA raised concerns about Ford's recall of more than 42,000 SUVs due to fuel leak risks that could result in engine fires. While Ford had proposed a software update and drain installation as a remedy, the NHTSA expressed apprehension, stating that these measures do not address the root cause of the problem. The agency suggested that proactive replacement of faulty fuel injectors should be part of the solution to prevent future incidents.