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Ford F-150 with EcoBoost engine probed after acceleration complaints

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About 400,000 of Ford’s popular F-150 trucks with EcoBoost engines are being investigated after complaints that the vehicles can lose power during acceleration.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it has received 95 complaints from owners of trucks from 2011-2013 model years. The trucks are equipped with Ford’s popular EcoBoost turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 engines.

The sudden loss in power occurs “during hard accelerations at highway speeds, such as attempted merging or passing maneuvers,” according to the agency. No crashes or injuries have been reported as a result of the alleged issue.

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The move by NHTSA is only a preliminary step and has not yet led to any recalls of the trucks.

Ford’s F-150 has long been the best-selling vehicle in the U.S., with 645,316 sold in 2012 alone. In 2011, Ford shook up the light-truck market by offering the EcoBoost engine as an option.

Prior to this move, underpowered V-6 engines were generally the base offering on full-size trucks. But Ford pushed the turbocharged EcoBoost as having better fuel economy while staying as powerful and capable of towing as other optional V-8 engines.

Truck buyers embraced the idea, with optional EcoBoost engines now making up about 40% of F-150 sales. Other brands took notice, such as Ram, which now offers a powerful V-6 on its 1500 truck.

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