Dec. 28, 2016—The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating reports of braking issues in 2007-09 Ford Fusions and Mercury Milans believed to have caused three crashes.
NHTSA received 141 reports of “sudden, unexpected increases in stopping distance” believed to have been caused by problems in the anti-lock braking system hydraulic control unit. In some of the reports, the brake pedal would go “soft” after the ABS engaged while braking on slippery, rough or uneven surfaces.
Drivers reported the brake pedal “going to the floor” in some instances, and the brakes required increased pressure by the driver to stop the car.
“In some cases the driver is unable to stop within their desired stopping distance,” according to the NHTSA investigation, which was opened Dec. 20. “Complainants have also reported going past the expected stopping points for stop signs or red lights, some have reported being out into the flow of traffic before being able to bring the vehicle to a stop.”
Ford Motor Co. in a statement Tuesday said, “We’ll cooperate with the agency on its investigation, as we always do.”
