Investigation into Ford vehicles could lead to recall

WASHINGTON—Problems with stalling or surging engines has prompted federal safety regulators to investigate hundreds of thousands of Ford cars and SUVs.

The investigation affects the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles made from 2009 to 2011.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the vehicles can unexpectedly drop to reduced power.

The agency and Ford have received nearly 1,500 complaints about the problem, including three crashes and one injury.

Authorities say the investigation could lead to a recall of nearly 725,000 vehicles.