Federal regulators are investigating the method used by Ford to repair nearly 43,000 Bronco Sports and Escapes SUVs that were recalled due to fuel injector issues. The recall was issued in April after concerns that gasoline could leak from the fuel injectors onto hot engine surfaces, posing a fire risk. Ford’s solution to the problem involved adding a drain tube to redirect fuel away from hot areas and a software update to disable the high-pressure fuel pump in case of a pressure drop in the fuel injection system.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has expressed doubts about the effectiveness of Ford’s repair method. The agency believes that the remedy program does not address the root cause of the issue and does not proactively call for the replacement of defective fuel injectors before failure. As a result, the NHTSA has opened an investigation into the recall and is requesting detailed information from Ford about the fuel injector fix, including testing conducted to verify the remedy’s effectiveness, consideration of alternative repairs, and compliance with environmental and safety standards.
Ford has stated that it is cooperating with the NHTSA’s investigation into the recall of the Bronco Sport and Escape SUVs. The company claims that the repair method was already tested on vehicles involved in a previous recall for the same issue in 2022. The NHTSA is seeking information from Ford about how the software will detect a fuel pressure drop, the timeframe for detection, messages sent to drivers, and the impact of disabling the high-pressure fuel pump on other parts of the fuel system. The agency is also inquiring about Ford’s obligations to prevent fuel leakage onto roadways and ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards.
The NHTSA has set a deadline of June 21 for Ford to provide the requested information about the fuel injector fix and the impact of the recall on vehicle performance and safety. Depending on the results of the investigation, the agency may require additional repairs to address fuel leaks in the recalled SUVs. The concerns raised by the NHTSA highlight the importance of addressing safety issues promptly and effectively in vehicles equipped with partially automated driving systems like Blue Cruise to prevent accidents and ensure consumer safety on the roads. It is crucial for automakers to demonstrate transparency and compliance with regulatory standards to maintain trust and confidence in their products.
