The U.S. auto security regulator stated on Friday it was opening a preliminary analysis into 210,960 Ford automobiles following complaints alleging diesel gasoline leaks that will lead to a hearth.

The Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration stated its Workplace of Defects Investigation has acquired 27 complaints, together with 12 reviews of fires and a complete of 4 accidents, and that it might examine Ford F-250, 350, 450, and 550 Tremendous Obligation automobiles geared up with 6.7L diesel engines of mannequin years 2015-2021.

The company stated a fracture within the Secondary Gasoline Filter within the automobiles might lead to a hearth, because the proximity of the filter to excessive warmth sources creates a possible for auto-ignition thermal occasions and fires.

The NHTSA has contacted the filter’s maker, Allevard Sogefi USA, and stated it discovered the secondary gasoline filter is examined to function at diminished ranges of stress in the course of the manufacturing course of, in contrast with the potential most working stress within the gasoline system of the automobile.

Ford stated it was working with the NHTSA to help its investigation. Allevard Sogefi USA’s mum or dad Sogefi was not instantly out there for a remark.

The company’s preliminary analysis is step one to find out whether or not the automobiles pose an unreasonable danger to security. It might shut the investigation with out taking any potential motion.

Individually, the NHTSA stated on Thursday it had “vital security issues” over Ford’s recall of greater than 42,000 SUVs over issues on gasoline leaks that would result in an engine fireplace.

Whereas Ford had proposed an engine management software program replace and set up of a drain, the NHTSA stated the corporate’s plan “doesn’t deal with the basis explanation for the difficulty and doesn’t proactively name for the substitute of faulty gasoline injectors previous to their failure”.