NHTSA to Investigate Ford Vehicles Over Safety Complaints

The United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced a new investigation into approximately 35,950 Ford Motor Company vehicles following several safety complaints. The focus of the investigation is on the 2019 Ford Flex models, where the B-pillar trim piece has been reported to detach unexpectedly.

Safety Risks Highlighted

According to the NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), there have been five complaints alleging that the B-pillar trim piece can detach without warning while the vehicle is in motion, particularly at highway speeds. This poses a significant risk not only to the occupants of the vehicle but also to other road users, potentially leading to accidents.

Scope of the Investigation

While the investigation will primarily concentrate on the 2019 Ford Flex models, the NHTSA has also indicated that older models from 2016 to 2018 will be evaluated as peer vehicles. This comparative analysis aims to identify any similarities or differences that could explain the varying rates of complaints across different model years.