Ford Faces U.S. Probe Over Engine Fires

Ford Motor Co. faces a U.S. investigation and potential recall of 644,000 of its F-150 pickups and Expedition and Navigator sport-utility vehicles after complaints of engine fires.

The inquiry involves the 2000 model year for the three vehicles and follows 36 reports of engine fires that may be related to a cruise-control deactivation switch, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. The fires occurred while the vehicles were parked and the engine was off, the agency said.

Ford said it was cooperating with the agency. The F-150 accounts for the majority of Ford’s F-Series pickups, the biggest-selling U.S. vehicle line.