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Ford Motor Co. Recalls Over 43,000 SUVs Due to Fuel Leak Concerns
Ford Motor Co. recently announced a recall of nearly 43,000 Bronco Sport and Escape SUVs due to fuel leak issues, prompting federal auto safety investigators to launch a probe into the matter. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that it would open a recall query, which is initiated by regulators when they believe a proposed solution to an issue may not be sufficient.
The recall affects certain model year 2022 through 2023 Bronco Sport SUVs and model year 2022 Escape SUVs equipped with 1.5-liter engines. According to documents released by the NHTSA, the SUVs’ fuel injectors may crack, potentially leading to the accumulation of liquid fuel or vapor near ignition sources, thereby increasing the risk of fires. Ford has acknowledged receiving reports of five under-hood fires and 14 warranty replacements associated with this issue.
While Ford’s remedy for the problem involves updating the engine control software and installing a tube to redirect gasoline away from hot surfaces to the ground, the company has decided against replacing the injectors. This decision has raised concerns at the NHTSA. Ford has expressed confidence that the software update and tube installation will prevent the issue from reoccurring and safeguard the customers. Additionally, the new software will trigger a dashboard warning light, and Ford will extend warranty coverage for the defective fuel injectors, enabling owners to receive free replacements.
Recall Background and Extension
This recent recall follows a similar action taken by Ford in November 2022, which impacted over 630,000 Bronco Sport and Escape SUVs worldwide. Ford has assured that the remedy applied in the current recall has already undergone successful testing on vehicles involved in the previous recall.
Despite these measures, Ford remains a prominent figure in recall activities in 2024. The Detroit automaker has recalled more than 2.24 million vehicles since the beginning of the year, highlighting the ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety and satisfaction of its customers.
For more information on vehicle recalls and safety initiatives, please visit the NHTSA’s official website.
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