August 15, 2002
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it is upgrading its probe of engine compartment fires in Ford Motor Co.'s Focus compact car -- one of six defect investigations under way on the Focus.
NHTSA opened the investigation in March after receiving seven complaints of engine compartment fires that started around the battery. NHTSA said it has since had two more complaints, and Ford told the agency it had received 61 similar complaints and 286 warranty claims relating to fire, scorched parts or a burning odor.
There have been nine safety recalls and five non-safety defect investigations involving the Focus since it went on sale in 2000.
The federal probe covers all 690,000 Focus models sold in the U.S.
Ford has vowed to improve the quality of its vehicles while simultaneously trying to cut $7 billion in costs by 2005.
