When you call 911 or have an accident and need an ambulance, the last thing on your mind is whether the ambulance is safe to drive. In 2013, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recalled almost 3,000 Ford trucks used as ambulances to fix a problem with the engine shutting down suddenly. On Jan. 13, the NHTSA opened a recall query, investigating whether the recall should also include nearly 197,000 additional pickups that have similar engines but are not used as ambulances, according to a story in The New York Times on Jan. 21.

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation noted in a report on its website that it has received 30 "non-duplicative" complaints on similarly equipped Ford trucks. The potential recall affects nearly 200,000 2011-2012 Ford F-350, F-450 and F-550 trucks equipped with 6.7 diesel power stroke engines. Although the majority of the trucks are not used as ambulances, they are often used to tow large trailers—an extremely dangerous situation if the engine stalls while the truck in on a highway at 60 miles per hour.

If you own or drive one of these vehicles, check with your local Ford dealer or NHTSA to see whether your truck is subject to the recall or should be repaired. You should also speak with your insurance carrier to confirm that there are no issues with coverage in this situation.