NHTSA Demands Information from Ford over Unresolved Safety Concerns in Recent Recall of Bronco Sport and Escape SUVs

Following the discovery of significant safety concerns regarding a recent Ford SUV recall, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has demanded extensive information from the automaker. This action comes after the March 8 recall of almost 43,000 Bronco Sport SUVs produced in 2022 and 2023, as well as 2022 Escape SUVs, all equipped with 1.5-liter engines. According to NHTSA documents, Ford has admitted that fuel injectors on these models may break, causing gasoline or fumes to leak near hot engine components capable of igniting fires, producing a fuel odor, and increasing the likelihood of injuries. In a statement issued on April 25, the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation claimed that the recall’s remedy fails to resolve the underlying issue and does not require the replacement of damaged fuel injectors before failure occurs. To counter this, Ford’s solution involves adding a drain tube to redirect gasoline away from hot places, as well as implementing software updates that can identify a decrease in fuel injection system pressure. When this happens, the software deactivates the high-pressure fuel pump, reduces engine output, and lowers engine compartment temperatures while displaying a “seek service” message. NHTSA officials have requested that Ford provide details on the effectiveness of this remedy, the feasibility of hardware replacements, and any other remedies that were considered, among other items. Additionally, the NHTSA has asked Ford to explain how much it costs to replace fuel injectors versus the cheaper solution that drains gasoline to the ground, as safety advocates claim that Ford is attempting to avoid the expense of replacing fuel injectors. By June 21st, Ford must submit the necessary information to NHTSA. Based on the findings, NHTSA may request additional repairs designed to address the fuel leakage issue. The automaker has previously stated that it is cooperating with the investigation. Ford has reported five engine fires and 14 warranty replacements of faulty fuel injectors but no accidents or injuries related to the problem. Ford has also indicated that it will expand the warranty coverage for faulty fuel injectors, ensuring that affected owners receive replacements if they encounter the problem. The remedy has already been applied to cars affected by a previous recall, and Ford claims that no issues have arisen. Furthermore, Ford has declared that it will not recommend parking the automobiles outside since there is no proof that fires occur when vehicles are stationary. NHTSA records reveal that the 2022 recall covered roughly 522,000 Bronco Sports and Escapes, both of which employed the same remedy as the current recall.