The Office of Defects Investigation is centering its inquiry on E-350 models from 2021 and 2022, alongside F59 and F-750 trucks produced in 2021. According to the petition triggering the probe, the mechanical breakdown stems from lifter rollers and camshaft lobes degrading due to inadequate oil pressure. While Ford previously deployed a software patch to increase idle engine speed, critics argue this adjustment was a quiet workaround for a deeper design flaw.

The core of the conflict lies in claims that the automaker recognized the defect but bypassed a formal public safety recall. By opting for a calibration update instead of notifying owners or initiating a repair program, the company allegedly left thousands of vehicles on the road with compromised propulsion systems. Investigators must now determine if these engines pose an unreasonable risk to vehicle safety, a finding that could force a widespread mandatory recall.