The contact owns a 2014 Ford E-250. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle suddenly fishtailed, causing the rear passenger side of the vehicle to crash into an unknown object. The contact indicated that the vehicle would only operate in limp mode after the crash. After switching back to the drive position, the vehicle operated normally. During the crash, no injuries were reported, and no police report was filed. The contact used a scanner to determine that the PCU had malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The contact also discovered that electrical wires in the vehicle were damaged by rodents. A Number 6 Injector Wire was chewed out by rodents, and the contact independently replaced the wire however, the vehicle continued to misfire. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered and was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The manufacturer was aware that there was a software issue with the PCU and that it was a known failure, and the contact was concerned due to Ford acknowledging there was a fatality due to this known failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA ODI 11655888