P&A Providers & Administrators
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Ford Faces Federal Emissions Probe

The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into Ford Motor Co.’s emissions testing and certification processes, the factory revealed in an SEC filing today.

Tariq Kamal
Tariq KamalFormer Associate Publisher
Read Tariq's Posts
April 26, 2019
Ford Faces Federal Emissions Probe

The 2019 Ford Ranger is reportedly among the first vehicles set to undergo retesting following the factory’s discovery of a potentially flawed methodology for calculating fuel economy.

Photo courtesy Ford Motor Co.

1 min to read


DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Motor Co. revealed it is the subject of a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into the factory’s emissions testing and certification processes in a report filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

In February, Ford’s directors self-reported to the EPA their concerns that engineers may have failed to properly calculate the effects of drag and tire friction in laboratory testing. At the time, executives said they could not be sure whether fuel economy ratings or emissions certifications would be affected. An outside law firm, Sidley Austin, was hired to investigate the matter and presumably oversee retesting.

Ad Loading...

“Our focus is on completing our investigation and a thorough technical review of this matter and cooperating with government and regulatory agencies,” said Kim Pittel, Ford’s vice president of sustainability, environment, and safety engineering, in a statement.

Ford is only the latest vehicle manufacturer to face scrutiny over emissions testing. In 2014, Hyundai and Kia paid a $100 million penalty for inflating the fuel economy ratings of more than 1 million units sold in the U.S. In 2017, the “Dieselgate” scandal cost Volkswagen billions of dollars in penalties and awards, including dealer compensation. More recently, Fiat Chrysler agreed to a multimillion-dollar settlement to resolve claims brought by the DOJ and the California Air Resources Board.

To read Ford’s SEC filing, click here.

Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today

More Industry

Kia Niro SUV in gold color parked outdoors
Industryby Hannah MitchellSeptember 1, 2026

Kia Closes Out Summer With a Bang

Its U.S. subsidiary broke multiple records in August, in part due to a surge of demand for hybrids models.

Read More →
Outside of Auto Park Ford dealership
Industryby Lauren LawrenceSeptember 1, 2026

Indiana Dealership Changes Hands

A 30-year-old Ford dealership in Indiana has a new owner and will soon be undergoing renovations to meet manufacturer requirements.

Read More →
Three men standing in front of two classic cars handing off gift.
Industryby Hannah MitchellAugust 25, 2026

Texas Dealership No Longer in the Family

The Ford store, a longtime cornerstone of the Houston market, is now part of one of the fastest-growing U.S. auto groups.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Outside of modern car dealership “Genesis of San Bruno
Industryby Lauren LawrenceAugust 25, 2026

Genesis Grows California Presence

The Cardinale Automotive Group opened its third Genesis rooftop in the Golden State, Genesis of San Bruno, a stand-alone dealership serving the San Francisco Bay Area.

Read More →
Red Honda Civic hybrid sedan on two lane road with green hills in background
Industryby Hannah MitchellAugust 21, 2026

August Auto Sales a Mixed Bag

An early forecast shows strong business despite consumer hurdles, and hybrids are a big piece of their affordability coping strategy.

Read More →
EV charger inserted into dark-colored car port
Industryby Hannah MitchellAugust 18, 2026

EV Market Humming Along

July sales show steady growth as the segment stabilizes from last year’s artificial surge following pullback of federal support.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
car in background with hand giving a thumbs up in front
Industryby Lauren LawrenceAugust 14, 2026

Auto Loan Delinquency Rates Stabilize

Auto loans are a main driver of nonmortgage consumer debt, but delinquency rates stabilized in the second quarter across all credit risk tiers.

Read More →
blue sky, yellow and orange rollercoaster with riders going up an incline
Industryby Lauren LawrenceAugust 12, 2026

EV Sales Recover in Q2

The EV sales roller coaster continues as numbers show improvement, but industry experts predict a year-over-year third-quarter decline and fourth-quarter jump.

Read More →
Photo of blue Toyota Prius parked next to body of water with city skyline in background
Industryby Hannah MitchellAugust 5, 2026

The Cheapest Hybrids to Fuel

The powertrain is increasing in popularity, in no small part due to its fuel economy. A new report lists the most efficient hybrids on the market.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
white SUV parked in front of a body of water with a gray sky background
Industryby Lauren LawrenceAugust 5, 2026

Hybrids and SUVs Gaining Ground

The most recent Kelley Blue Book Brand Watch found that only two nonluxury brands increased in shopper consideration, buoyed by their hybrid and SUV offerings.

Read More →