Ford faces major investigation into hands-free technology equipped on UK vehicles

Ford is being investigated by a US road safety agency after concerns about new technology which is installed in cars across the UK. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating the popular manufacturer’s BlueCruise tool. 

The feature is a form of intelligent Cruise Control and hands-free driving experience introduced in certain vehicles from the American giant. 

The technology includes Lane Keeping Assist technology and Speed Sign Recognition functions. 

However, NHTSA has launched a probe after two Ford Mustang Mach-E cars were involved in fatal collisions. 

In both cases, the muscle cars drove straight into parked vehicles when the technology was activated.

The NHTSA report read: “The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received notice of two incidents involving Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles that collided with stationary vehicles, which were located within the travel lanes of controlled-access highways. 

“Both collisions occurred during nighttime lighting conditions, and each incident resulted in at least one fatality.

“ODI’s initial investigation of both incidents confirmed that BlueCruise was engaged in each of the subject vehicles immediately prior to the collision.”

Ford has confirmed the BlueCruise technology is already available in models based in the UK with the tool rolled out back in April 2023. 

It came after Government ministers decided to approve the technology for use on certain motorways. 

The tool is only available in the £50,000 Ford Mustang Mach-E but will likely be rolled out to newer models when they launch. 

The BlueCruise tool is free for the first 90 days but then comes at an added price through a subscription model.

NHTSA added: "ODI has opened this Preliminary Evaluation to investigate the Ford BlueCruise system equipped on the subject vehicles. 

“This investigation will evaluate the system’s performance of the dynamic driving task and driver monitoring.”

According to Ford, the tool is equipped with an audio alert if drivers tackle their eyes off the road. This is then followed up by the vehicle automatically braking and gradually slowing down.

A spokesperson for Ford UK said: “We are working with NHTSA to support its investigation.”