Ford Motor Company is the subject of a U.S. Department of Justice criminal investigation.
The case involves the automaker’s emissions testing practices, as reported by Reuters. Ford is also conducting its own internal investigation.
Issues with Ford’s emissions became public in the company’s quarterly investor report to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The filing addressed concerns about emission certifications with the California Air Resources Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The issue does not involve so-called emissions “defeat devices,” according to Ford’s filing. The devices were at the center of the Volkswagen emissions scandal of 2015.
Reuters reported that Ford employees raised concerns that calculations for vehicle mileage emissions data might have problems. Ford told Reuters that it’s looking into its processes from technical, engineering and governance angles. The first vehicle to be reviewed is the 2019 Ranger.
The U.S. Department of Justice and state of California previously brought claims against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles for its emissions software. That led to an $800 million settlement.
Ford has turned over documents to California for review, Reuters reported. The Justice Department might have cases against other automakers in the works, according to the article.
