The Department of Justice has launched an investigation into Ford Motor’s emissions certification process, the car manufacturing company announced on Friday.

Ford opened an internal probe in February after an anonymous employee reporting system first alerted the company to the issue in September 2018, according to the statement.

The federal criminal probe was first revealed Friday in filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

“As previously reported, the Company has become aware of a potential concern involving its US emissions certification process. We voluntarily disclosed this matter to the US Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board on February 18, 2019, and February 21, 2019, respectively.,” the filing reads.

“Subsequently, the US Department of Justice opened a criminal investigation into the matter,” the filing continues. “In addition, we have notified a number of other state and federal agencies. We are fully cooperating with all government agencies. Because this matter is still in the preliminary stages, we cannot predict the outcome, and we cannot provide assurance that it will not have a material adverse effect on us."

Penguin habitats threatened by climate change Show all 9 1 /9 Penguin habitats threatened by climate change Penguin habitats threatened by climate change Gentoo penguins on Ardley Island, Antarctic, where global warming has affected the glaciers that the penguins live on and has brought new species to compete with AFP/Getty Penguin habitats threatened by climate change Gentoo penguins on Ardley Island, Antarctic, where global warming has affected the glaciers that the penguins live on and has brought new species to compete with AFP/Getty Penguin habitats threatened by climate change Gentoo penguins in Cuverville Island, designated as an Important Bird Island. These penguins feed on krill but krill is growing scarcer due to climate change AFP/Getty Penguin habitats threatened by climate change Penguins on Ardley Island, Antarctic, where global warming has affected the glaciers that the penguins live on and has brought new species to compete with AFP/Getty Penguin habitats threatened by climate change Gentoo penguins in Cuverville Island, designated as an Important Bird Island. These penguins feed on krill but krill is growing scarcer due to climate change AFP/Getty Penguin habitats threatened by climate change Chinstrap penguins on King George Island. Global warming has affected the glaciers that the penguins live on and has brought new species to compete with AFP/Getty Penguin habitats threatened by climate change Gentoo penguins in Cuverville Island, designated as an Important Bird Island. These penguins feed on krill but krill is growing scarcer due to climate change AFP/Getty Penguin habitats threatened by climate change A penguin and a seal. Global warming has affected the glaciers that these animals live on and has brought new species to compete with AFP/Getty Penguin habitats threatened by climate change Gentoo penguins on Ardley Island, Antarctic, where global warming has affected the glaciers that the penguins live on and has brought new species to compete with AFP/Getty

The issue of skirting emissions regulations has caused massive fines and investigations for several car manufacturing giants.

The EPA and Volkswagen agreed to a $14.7bn (£11.4bn) settlement over an emissions cheating scandal that found the company had installed “defeat devices” on its diesel engines.

The devices provide a capability for engines to detect when they are being tested, before switching to an alternative mode that reflects better emissions numbers.

Ford has previously stated its emissions issue is not related to defeat devices.

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