IllustrationI am writing to report a serious safety concern involving our 2023 Ford Transit Connect (VIN [XXX]) van that resulted in an unintended vehicle movement and collision. While the incident resulted in only minor property damage and a minor injury, we believe the circumstances warrant review due to the potential for a much more seve…
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I am writing to report a serious safety concern involving our 2023 Ford Transit Connect (VIN [XXX]) van that resulted in an unintended vehicle movement and collision. While the incident resulted in only minor property damage and a minor injury, we believe the circumstances warrant review due to the potential for a much more severe outcome. The vehicle had been exhibiting operational issues prior to the incident. Employees reported that it was running and shifting noticeably rough and, after being parked, would not move when placed in either Drive or Reverse. The engine RPM would increase to approximately 2,000 RPM with throttle input but the vehicle remained stationary. The following witness statements document the sequence of events: Witness #1: [XXX] started the van to verify whether the issue from the previous day remained. The van still would not move. He placed the transmission in Neutral, turned the engine off, and we were able to push the van by hand. Based on this, he concluded the brakes were not preventing the vehicle from moving. He then reached into the van and restarted the engine. Immediately upon startup, the van accelerated forward unexpectedly at a high rate of speed, jumped the curb, and struck the hangar wall. [XXX] attempted to stop the vehicle, and I also attempted to intervene, but the event occurred so quickly that neither of us was able to prevent the collision. Witness #2: I went to the van to diagnose the reported issue. I had been informed the van had been running and shifting roughly before it was parked and would no longer move afterward. I started the vehicle while it was in Park and attempted to engage both Reverse and Drive, confirming that it would not move. The engine RPM increased to approximately 2,000 RPM with throttle input and remained elevated. I then shut the engine off and placed the transmission in Neutral with the ignition in the Run position to determine whether the vehicle would roll. It rolled f INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT