Ford Investigating Overestimated Gas Mileage And Emissions Claims

Ford is investigating its fuel economy and testing procedures following concerns raised by employees, Reuters reports.

Ford group vice president for sustainability, environment, and safety engineering, Kimberly Pittel, says the car manufacturer is investigating concerns that incorrect calculations have been made to translate test results into the mileage and emissions data that are submitted to regulators. Pittel stated that the issues are not related to a fuel economy defeat device or anything similar.

Law firm Sidley Austin has been hired to lead the investigation, while an independent laboratory is being used to conduct testing.

Pittel stated that Ford has voluntarily shared all the information regarding its fuel economy and testing procedures with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board.

Investigations started when Ford was developing the 2019 Ranger

Ford told investors in a regulatory filing on Thursday that it cannot predict what impact this investigation will have on its advertised mileage and fuel economy data nor how many vehicles may be affected. “We cannot predict the outcome, and cannot provide assurance that it will not have a material adverse effect on us. We are going to go where the investigation takes us,” Pittel said.

In a statement, the EPA says it takes any potential issues like Ford’s very seriously: “[Ford’s investigation is] too incomplete for EPA to reach any conclusions. We take the potential issues seriously and are following up with the company to fully understand the circumstances behind this disclosure.”

Ford has had issues with fuel economy claims in the past. For example, it lowered fuel economy ratings for six vehicles in 2014 following complaints that real-world mileage didn’t match the advertised figures.