The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has escalated its defect investigation into approximately 135,000 Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus, and Ford EcoSport vehicles. The investigation focuses on models equipped with 1.0L engines produced between 2014 and 2021.
A timing belt defect in certain older Ford cars and SUVs could lead to sudden power loss or engine seizure. The NHTSA's initial probe suggested that timing belt material can degrade, creating debris that clogs the mesh oil pump pick-up screen, which results in reduced engine oil pressure.
NHTSA reports of low engine oil pressure warnings occurring just before loss of motive power.
The NHTSA believes there is an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety based on data analysis, failure rates, information from Ford, and preliminary engine teardown analysis. Upgrading a probe to an engineering analysis is a mandatory step before the NHTSA can compel Ford to issue a recall.
Failure mileage and reported incidents
Data shows an average failure mileage of approximately 70,000 miles for the affected vehicles.
In one reported incident on a major Delaware highway, a 2017 Ford Focus lost all power and the engine began to sound like a tank within an eighth of a mile after the oil pressure light illuminated.
Ford response and programs
In June, Ford informed the NHTSA it was implementing 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. Ford is also offering reimbursement to eligible customers who previously paid for engine repairs or replacement due to a timing belt-related issue.
