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NHTSA investigating 250k F-150s for possible power brake failure

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is opening a preliminary evaluation into the 2011-2012 Ford F-150 with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 because of potential failure of the power braking assist. If a recall is required, it could affect an estimated 250,000 of the trucks. This investigation is prompted by NHTSA receiving 32 complaints about the electric vacuum assist pump allegedly failing in these trucks, which then causes the power braking assist to stop working. Drivers claim having no warning beforehand. There are also two reports of crashes that are purportedly linked to the problem, but the government agency lists no injuries. According to NHTSA, the issue may be getting worse because 60 percent of these allegations are from the past nine months. A preliminary evaluation doesn't necessarily lead to a recall, though. NHTSA uses them "to assess the cause, scope and frequency of the alleged defect." Ford spokesperson Kelli Felker tells Autoblog: "We will cooperate with NHTSA on this investigation, as we always do." Related Video: INVESTIGATION Subject : Brake Vacuum Pump Failure Date Investigation Opened: JUN 22, 2015 Date Investigation Closed: Open NHTSA Action Number: PE15026 Component(s): SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC All Products Associated with this Investigation Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s) FORD F-150 2011-2012 Details Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company SUMMARY: The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has identified 32 complaints alleging electric vacuum assist pump failures resulting in loss of brake power assist and increased brake pedal effort in model year (MY) 2011-2012 Ford F-150 full-size pickup trucks equipped with 3.5L GTDI engine. None of the complaints reported any warning indicators to alert the driver of brake power assist loss or the potential of increased stopping distance. Two reports alleged crashes due to increased brake pedal effort required to stop or slow the vehicle. The complaints show an apparent increasing trend, with approximately 60 percent of complaints received within the past nine months. A Preliminary Evaluation has been opened to assess the cause, scope and frequency of the alleged defect.

2015 Hennessey Ford Mustang hits 207.9 mph

After hitting over 195 miles per hour a few months ago, John Hennessey was barely out of his personal HPE700 Mustang before he said that 200 mph was achievable. Don't doubt a man who knows a ton about taking cars to insane speeds. With the new HPE750 Mustang, he and his customers can finally surpass the 200-mph mark in their cars. "If at first you don't succeed, just add more horsepower and rpm and try again," Hennessey said in the company's announcement. Rather than the 717 horsepower and 632 pound-feet of torque from the supercharged 5.0-liter V8 in the HPE700, the HPE750 ratchets the same powertrain up to an even more potent 774 hp and 648 lb-ft. In a real show of confidence, the Hennessey team brought along Jay Leno when it returned to the Continental Tire Proving Grounds in Uvalde, TX, to set a new top speed with the HPE750. The upgrades to the Mustang definitely paid off because the pony car reached a GPS-verified 207.9 miles per hour down the straight. The run will eventually appear on a segment on the upcoming Jay Leno's Garage TV show that will air CNBC. Prices for the HPE750 start at $59,500 USD, including the base 2015 Mustang GT, but building an exact replica of this one would cost $69,374, according to Hennessey. In addition to the huge top speed, the company claims that the coupe can reach 60 mph in 3.4 seconds and cover the quarter mile in 10.9 seconds. 774 HP Hennessey Mustang Tested to 207.9 mph Jay Leno visits Texas tuner for upcoming TV series on CNBC June 2, 2015 Uvalde, Texas—On Wednesday, May 27, 2015, professional driver, Brian Smith, drove the Hennessey HPE750 Supercharged Mustang to a top speed of 207.9 mph. In the process, Hennessey's potent pony car became the first 2015 Mustang to break the 200 mph mark. Jay Leno was on hand to witness the record speed while filming an upcoming episode of Jay Leno's Garage, which will air on CNBC later this year. The run was made on the 8.5 mile high speed oval at the Continental Tire Proving Grounds located in Uvalde, Texas – the same test track where John Hennessey test drove the company's HPE700 Mustang to a top speed of 195 mph back in February of this year. During both tests, speeds were validated with Racelogic's VBox 3i GPS data logging system. "If at first you don't succeed, just add more horsepower and rpm and try again," said company founder and president, John Hennessey.

Motor Trend pits Camaro 1LE vs Mustang with Performance Pack, surprises ensue

With the 2015 Ford Mustang firmly on the scene, the inevitable comparisons with its arch rival, the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro are just starting to trickle out. Over the next several months, you're likely to be inundated by every outlet's muscle car comparison, whether it be the turbocharged Ford against the V6 Chevy, a V8-powered convertible comparo or what we have here, a competition between each vehicle's performance upgrade.
Motor Trend has pitted the Camaro SS 1LE against a Mustang with the GT Performance Pack for a comprehensive series of comparisons on the test stage, street and finally, at Willow Springs with ace Randy Pobst behind the wheel. As per usual, we aren't about to spoil this one for you.
So, hit the play button, have a look and then let us know what you think in Comments.