The latest recals from Ford include (from left) 2022-2023 Mavericks, 2021-2024 Bronco Sports, and 2022 Escapes.
Photo: Ford/Automotive Fleet
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has issued two recall of Ford models, including Maverick pickup trucks, and Escape and Bronco SUVs.
Bronco Sports, Maverick Pickups Recalled Due to Potential Loss of Drive Power
Ford has issued two major recalls in recent weeks. The larger recall includes more than 456,000 2021-2024 Bronco Sport SUVs and 2022-2023 Maverick pickup trucks.
The body and power train control modules may fail to detect a change in the 12-volt battery state of charge, according to NHTSA documents. An undetected low battery charge can result in a loss of electrical accessories such as hazard lights, or cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will recalibrate the body control module and power train control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters for this recall are expected to be mailed May 13, 2024.
Bronco Sports, Escapes Recalled Due to Potential Fire Risk
In the other recall, which includes more than 42,000 2022-2023 Bronco Sport and 2022 Escape SUVs equipped with 1.5L engines, the fuel injector may crack, which can lead to a fuel leak inside the engine compartment. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
According to NHTSA documents, a fuel leak may result in fuel odor both outside and inside the vehicle.
If there is a fire, the customer may notice smoke or flames emanating from the engine compartment or underbody, or instrument cluster warnings.
According to Ford’s acknowledgement of the recall, dealers will update the engine control software to include fuel injector leak detection and install a drain tube, free of charge.
The updated software is designed to detect a pressure drop in the fuel rail, provide instrument cluster messaging to the customer to seek service, invoke a strategy to disable the high-pressure fuel pump, derate engine power output, and reduce temperatures of possible ignition sources in the engine compartment.
According to ABC News, Ford said it will extend warranty coverage for cracked fuel injectors, so owners who experience the problem will get replacements. More details on the extension are set to be made available in June.
Owner notification letters for this recall are expected to be mailed this month.
New Fix Introduced After Initial Recall
This recall is connected to a previous one. In Nov. 2022, Ford recalled 2021-2023 Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Escape models with 3-cylinder, 1.5L engines due to the risk of a fuel injector crack, which could lead to an underhood fire, according to a release from the automaker. Fox 2 Detroit reported that the first recall affected an estimated 518,993 vehicles.
A team at Ford had identified leaks during component-level injector flow testing on fuel injectors recovered from two Bronco Sport vehicles that had experienced underhood fires.
Some of the vehicles recalled had fuel injectors replaced, but did not receive a software update, as Ford previously determined it was not needed due to the new injectors’ “improved robustness.”
The Escape models that did not receive the software update were produced Oct. 17, 2022, to Dec. 15, 2022, and Bronco Sport vehicles were produced from Oct. 17, 2022, to Jan. 13, 2023.
This new recall includes Bronco Sport and Escape SUVs that did not receive the update initially.
Ford is aware of five underhood fires on 1.5L Escape and Bronco Sport vehicles built during this production window.
Ford is also aware of two related vehicle owner’s questionnaires during this production window, describing two of the five underhood fires. Additionally, Ford is aware of 14 warranty replacements of BC-level injectors on 1.5L vehicles due to suspected cracking during this production window.
The automaker is not aware of any accident or injury reports related to the recall.
