Ford is recalling nearly 43,000 small SUVs because gasoline may leak from the fuel injectors onto the hot engine surface, increasing the risk of fire. However, the remedial measures taken in this recall do not include repairing the fuel leak.
According to the Associated Press, the recall covers certain 2022 and 2023 models of Ford Bronco Sport SUVs and the 2022 model of Ford Escape SUVs, all equipped with a 1.5-liter engine.
Ford stated in documents submitted to the U.S. Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the fuel injectors could fracture, leading to a buildup of gasoline or vapors near an ignition source, which could potentially cause a fire.
The company mentioned that dealers would install a pipe to redirect gasoline from the hot surface to the ground below the vehicle. They will also update the engine control software to monitor pressure drops in the fuel injection system. According to documents released on Wednesday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, if such an event occurs, the software will disable the high-pressure fuel pump, reduce engine power, and lower the temperature inside the engine compartment.
Starting from April 1st, owners will receive notification letters.
Ford stated in the documents that it had received reports of five engine compartment fires and 14 instances of fuel injector warranty replacements, with no reports of crashes or injuries.
The company said in an email that it would not replace the fuel injectors as it believes recalling these vehicles for repairs “will prevent incidents and protect customers.” Ford mentioned that the new software would also trigger a dashboard warning light and allow customers to drive the vehicle to a safe location, park, and arrange for repairs. Ford’s documents submitted to NHTSA indicated that only about 1% of the SUVs are affected by this issue.
Ford also mentioned that it would extend the warranty on fractured fuel injectors, ensuring that affected owners receive replacements. Details of the warranty extension service will be announced in June.
Ford stated that this recall is an extension of the 2022 recall due to the same issue. The company has conducted repair tests on vehicles from the previous recall and reported no problems.
Additionally, the company stated that it does not recommend leaving the SUVs parked outdoors only, as there is no evidence to suggest that the vehicles could catch fire while parked with the engine off.
Michael Brooks, Executive Director of the Center for Auto Safety, a nonprofit organization, described Ford’s remedy for fuel leaks as a “Band-Aid recall,” suggesting that the company is trying to avoid the cost of repairing the fuel injectors.
He mentioned that a 1% failure rate is quite high, and even with repairs, drivers may still be forced to exit highways at slow speeds, increasing the risk of accidents.
Brooks also pointed out that NHTSA should take more steps to ensure that recalls address vehicle issues fundamentally, rather than opting for lower-cost repairs.