Excerpts from abcnews.go.com:
Ford has announced a major recall of nearly 43,000 small SUVs due to a potential fire hazard caused by fuel leaks from the fuel injectors. The issue arises when gasoline or vapor from cracked injectors comes into contact with hot engine components, raising the risk of fires. However, the company’s solution does not involve repairing the fuel leak itself.
The recall affects specific 2022 and 2023 model-year Bronco Sport SUVs, as well as 2022 Escape models, all equipped with 1.5-liter engines. According to Ford's filings with U.S. safety regulators, the fuel injectors may develop cracks, allowing fuel to accumulate near ignition sources and potentially cause fires.
To address the problem, dealers will install a tube that directs fuel away from hot surfaces and onto the ground beneath the vehicle. Additionally, they will update the engine control software to monitor pressure changes in the fuel system. If a drop in pressure is detected, the software will shut off the high-pressure fuel pump, reduce engine power, and lower temperatures in the engine compartment, according to documents published on the NHTSA website.
Owners will begin receiving letters starting April 1st. Ford reports five incidents of under-hood fires and 14 warranty replacements for faulty fuel injectors, though no crashes or injuries have been reported so far.
In an email, Ford stated it will not be replacing the fuel injectors directly, as it believes the current repairs—software updates and the new tube—will effectively prevent future failures. The updated software will also trigger a dashboard warning light, allowing drivers to safely pull over and seek assistance. According to NHTSA documents, the issue occurs in only about 1% of affected vehicles.
Additionally, Ford will extend the warranty coverage for cracked fuel injectors, ensuring that owners who encounter the problem will receive free replacements. While the repair process is already available, details about the extended warranty will be released in June.
This recall is an extension of a similar one issued in 2022 for the same issue. Ford claims the fix has already been tested on vehicles involved in the previous recall and says there have been no reported problems since then.
The automaker also clarified that it does not recommend parking these SUVs exclusively outdoors, as there is no evidence that fires occur when the engine is off and the vehicle is parked.
Previously, NHTSA has stated it cannot pre-approve recall fixes, but in a recent statement, the agency said it will closely monitor the performance of Ford’s repairs using real-world data. Owners with questions are encouraged to reach out to their local dealership or Ford directly.
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