US to probe Ford cars over stalling engines

US safety regulators will investigate problems with stalling or surging engines in nearly 7,25,000 Ford cars and SUVs. The probe affects Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner SUVs, Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans from the 2009 through 2011 year models.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the vehicles can unexpectedly go into "limp home mode" at reduced power. The agency and Ford have received almost 1,500 complaints about the problem. There were three crashes and one injury.

The agency began looking into the cars and SUVs after getting a request from the North Carolina Consumers Council last year. Nonprofit safety groups and consumers can petition the agency to investigate vehicle problems.

The cars and SUVs have not been recalled, but the investigation could lead to a recall.