ODI noted an increasing trend of complaints with all 30 received within the past five months.
The Office of Defects Investigation has opened a preliminary investigation because of complaints NHTSA has received alleging incidents of sudden stalling while driving 2012-2013 Ford Focus Electric vehicles.
Such investigations often result in a safety recall. About 1000 Focus EVs are involved thus far, although Ford has sold almost twice that number to date.
In documents just made public, NHTSA told Ford Motor that the complaints allege a sudden vehicle shutdown while driving, about half – or 14 – of them say the shut off occurred at speeds of 30 mph or higher.
When opening the investigation, ODI noted that the complaints show an apparent increasing trend, with all 30 complaints received within the past five months. NHTSA has requested detailed information from the Number Two U.S. automaker.
