WASHINGTON — U.S. auto security regulators mentioned on Saturday they’re investigating Ford Motor Co.’s prior remembers of 710,000 Explorer massive crossovers over energy loss studies to find out if the repair is ample.

The Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration famous the No. 2 U.S. automaker issued remembers in April 2022 and March on Ford Explorers from the 2020-2022 mannequin years to handle a rear axle horizontal mounting bolt which will fracture and trigger the driveshaft to disconnect.

Ford mentioned earlier its remembers have been to handle a disconnected driveshaft that might outcome within the automobile rolling away positioned in “park” with out the parking brake utilized, rising the danger of a crash.

Ford didn’t instantly remark Saturday however mentioned in March it was not conscious of any crashes or accidents tied to the recall situation.

Ford’s repair is so as to add a software program replace that routinely applies the digital service parking brake to maintain the automobile from rolling away, the company mentioned, including there isn’t a treatment to handle the failed rear axle horizontal mounting bolt “which is the premise of this security situation and the reason for the impaired automobile.”

NHTSA mentioned it has acquired two complaints alleging a lack of energy or transmission torque of the rear wheels in Explorer autos that had acquired the recall repair.

One criticism instructed NHTSA that after getting the software program replace “the automobile would randomly slam to a whole cease whereas driving. It occurred a number of occasions with three completely different drivers (myself, my spouse, and my son), every taking place at 30-35 mph or much less.”