--- title: "Feds Investigating Hands-Free Driving Tech in Every Mustang Mach-E After Fatal Crashes" description: "After two fatal crashes involving Ford's BlueCruise system, the NHTSA is looking into the software inside all 130,000 Mustang Mach-E SUVs." date: "2024-04-29" modified: "2024-04-29" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/feds-investigating-hands-free-driving-tech-in-every-mustang-mach-e-after-fatal-crashes" categories: - "Ford News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "Electric Vehicle" - "Ford" - "Mustang Mach-E" - "suv/crossover" --- # Feds Investigating Hands-Free Driving Tech in Every Mustang Mach-E After Fatal Crashes ![]() *Ford* Back in February, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) learned of [the first of two recent crashes involving Mustang Mach-E]() electric SUVs equipped with BlueCruise, [Ford's]() hands-free driver-assistance system. In both instances, the vehicles had BlueCruise activated and hit stationary cars at night, fatally injuring passengers in the other vehicles. Now, the NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has opened a wider investigation into all 130,050 BlueCruise-equipped Mustang Mach-Es built to date. "ODI has opened this Preliminary Evaluation to investigate the [Ford BlueCruise]() system equipped on the subject vehicles. This investigation will evaluate the system’s performance of the dynamic driving task and driver monitoring," said the [NHTSA](). BlueCruise is Ford's hands-free, semi-autonomous driver assistance system. It only works on preselected highways, and only when certain driving conditions are met. It's important to note that Ford does not market BlueCruise as a self-driving nor fully autonomous system, but as a driver aid and clearly states that the driver must be alert at all times when using it. Despite that, the system should of course read stationary cars, even at night, and at least alert the driver. However, BlueCruise isn't the only Mustang Mach-E technology being investigated, as it isn't the only safety fail-safe that should have prevented the crash. ![]() **Ford** With Ford's Co-Pilot 360 Assist 2.0 system, the Mustang Mach-E has forward collision warnings, automatic emergency braking (which, unfortunately, [doesn't seem to be as reliable as carmakers would like you to believe]()), and even an evasive steering assist designed to help the driver swerve out of harm's way. Somehow, all of these systems failed to prevent the two crashes that sparked the feds' investigation. Since both incidents had very similar circumstances—low-light, nighttime conditions and stationary cars—there may a specific issue that the feds can find, and that Ford can fix. According to the NHTSA, there are only two known crashes with BlueCruise engaged currently being investigated, both of which caused a total of three fatalities. *The Drive* reached out to Ford for a comment and will update this story when we receive more information. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()