The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recently intensified its investigation into Ford’s hands-free driver-assistance technology, known as BlueCruise, following two fatal accidents last year. In a detailed letter sent on June 18, the agency posed 25 pointed questions intended to shed light on the accidents, as well as illuminate technical details about the system’s capabilities and limitations.
The letter from NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation requests a variety of information from Ford, ranging from specific lists of vehicles equipped with BlueCruise to confidential internal communications related to the development and modifications of the software. Notably, the safety authority seeks comprehensive data on the software’s hazard detection algorithms and is probing deeply into BlueCruise’s ability to recognize stationary obstacles.
This recent request marks the first formal information exchange since NHTSA elevated its probe in January to an “engineering analysis,” a significant indication that the agency could eventually mandate a vehicle recall. Ford has confirmed it is cooperating with NHTSA in the ongoing investigation.
The investigation began in April 2024, shortly after two separate deadly crashes emerged in which vehicles utilizing the BlueCruise feature collided with parked vehicles. Both incidents, which occurred during nighttime conditions, raised questions regarding the driver-assistance technology’s ability to identify stationary objects adequately, particularly in reduced visibility.
BlueCruise, available on specific Ford models—including the Explorer, Expedition, F-150, and electric Mustang Mach-E—permits hands-free operation exclusively on pre-mapped highways. The technology combines a sophisticated array of cameras and radar sensors with advanced software managing driving tasks like steering, braking, and speed regulation. Additionally, Ford includes an interior eye-tracking camera intended to ensure drivers remain vigilant.
The NHTSA previously indicated concerns about the BlueCruise system’s “limitations in the detection of stationary vehicles under certain conditions,” especially highlighting scenarios involving limited illumination. The agency has granted Ford until August 6 to respond fully to the questions raised, noting the possibility of civil penalties if the automaker does not comply.
