[mikestew]

Subtitle: "The carmaker says that it's not a safety problem if your car slips into neutral on the highway."

It might not be a safety issue (and of course it is, who do you think you're kidding?), but it's illegal in the two states for which I've looked it up (my home state of IN, and current residence of WA). Here's WA's law: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.61.630

[cr0sh]

Reread that law - it applies to downgrades (which makes sense - engine braking to limit speed going downhill).

On the flat, going into neutral - while if it happens unexpectedly can be cause for concern (as you'll be rapidly slowing down due to wind resistance), it shouldn't harm drivability, braking, or steering.

Any issue with safety at that point would be on the driver in control of the vehicle, imho.

[nudiustertian]

Why is rapidly decelerating on the highway not a safety risk? Pileups happen because of this

[mrguyorama]

A car slowing down from wind resistance will not be slowing down more rapidly than the car behind it can use friction brakes

[zaroth]

There are documented accidents where this happened and the car was then rear-ended.

Speed differential kills on the highway. Loss of ability to accelerate can quickly get you in a dangerous situation where it’s very hard to get to the break-down lane, for example, if you are in a middle lane and traffic is passing on the right and left as you continue to lose more and more speed, now people are swerving to get aronund you, etc.

Ford knew this was dangerous. Their own legal team rated it as a “FMEA severity 10” fault which is the highest severity fault which “effects safe vehicle operation and involves non-compliance with government regulation without warning.” [1]

[1] - https://accendoreliability.com/understanding-fmea-severity-p...