Ford's BlueCruise Under Federal Microscope After Fatal Crashes
NHTSA investigating Ford's driver-assist system as research reveals widespread user confusion about its capabilities.
Ford's BlueCruise driving system is facing serious scrutiny. NHTSA has launched an investigation following deadly crashes involving the technology.
Here's the ugly part: Ford's own research during development flagged that drivers might misunderstand what BlueCruise actually does. Turns out, they were right.
A Wall Street Journal investigation found drivers struggling with the system on multiple fronts. Many found it confusing to operate. Others didn't grasp its limitations. Some flat-out ignored the warnings it threw at them.
Ford has been aggressively marketing BlueCruise as a hands-free highway driving feature. But there's a growing gap between what drivers think the tech can handle and what it's actually designed to do.
The federal probe will examine whether Ford did enough to ensure drivers understood their responsibilities behind the wheel.