The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into a recent Ford recall due to gasoline leaks from cracked fuel injectors that can lead to engine fires. The agency expressed concerns that Ford’s remedy for the issue, which involves adding a drain tube and a software update, does not address the root cause of the leaks. The recall affects nearly 43,000 Ford Bronco Sport and Escape SUVs with 1.5-liter engines from the 2022 and 2023 model years.
Ford’s solution to the problem, which aims to redirect the leaked fuel away from hot engine surfaces and trigger warning lights for drivers, has come under scrutiny by the NHTSA. The agency pointed out that the recall remedy does not include the replacement of the cracked fuel injectors, raising doubts about the effectiveness of the repairs. Ford has reported five under-hood fires and 14 warranty replacements of fuel injectors related to this issue, but no crashes or injuries have occurred as a result.
While Ford maintains that it is confident in the effectiveness of its recall repairs and software updates, critics like Michael Brooks, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, have labeled the solution as a temporary fix or a “Band-aid type recall.” The company has committed to extending warranty coverage for cracked fuel injectors, ensuring that affected owners will receive replacements. Ford claims that the problem only affects around 1% of the SUVs included in the recall and that repairs have already been tested on vehicles involved in a previous recall for the same issue.
The recall is an extension of a previous 2022 recall that addressed similar fuel injector problems in a larger number of vehicles. Ford has stated that it is working closely with the NHTSA on the investigation and is committed to addressing any safety concerns promptly. The company has assured that it will provide details about the extended warranty coverage for cracked fuel injectors in the coming months, and repairs for affected vehicles are already available. The NHTSA has emphasized the importance of addressing any safety risks associated with the fuel leaks promptly to ensure the safety of vehicle owners.
