By Sherrice Gilsbach, Crain News Service
DETROIT (Feb. 27, 2013) — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is looking into Ford Motor Co. sedans and SUVs following several engine surge and stall complaints.
Vehicles involved in the investigation include the 2009-2010 Ford Escape (including hybrid models) and Mercury Mariner (including hybrid models), and 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan models including their hybrid varieties. If the investigation results in a recall of these models, more than 720,000 vehicles could be affected.
According to NHTSA documents, engines surging and stalling are being caused by an electronic-throttle body malfunction. According to Automotive News, the ODI has received 123 related complaints and that Ford has received 1,472 complaints.
This report appeared in Autoweek magazine, a Detroit-based sister publication of Tire Business.