Federal investigators have expressed grave concerns over the efficacy of a recall repair implemented by Ford for certain SUVs, raising alarms about potential safety hazards stemming from gasoline leaks that could result in engine fires. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a comprehensive investigation into the repair conducted as part of a recall announced on March 8, affecting nearly 43,000 Bronco Sport SUVs from the model years 2022 and 2023, as well as Escape SUVs from 2022, all equipped with 1.5-liter engines.
Ford has acknowledged that the affected SUVs may suffer from cracked fuel injectors, leading to the leakage of gas or vapor in close proximity to hot engine components, thus posing a serious fire risk. Additionally, such leaks could emit fuel odors and heighten the likelihood of injuries to vehicle occupants. In response to the recall, Ford’s proposed solution involves the installation of a drain tube to redirect leaked gas away from areas of high temperature and the implementation of a software update designed to detect a drop in pressure within the fuel injection system. Upon detecting such a pressure drop, the software is programmed to disable the high-pressure fuel pump, reduce engine power output, and lower temperatures within the engine compartment. Moreover, owners are alerted to any issues via a “seek service” message.
However, the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation has cast doubts on the adequacy of Ford’s proposed remedy, contending that it fails to adequately address the underlying cause of the issue and does not take proactive measures to address the replacement of defective fuel injectors before they malfunction. Consequently, the agency has requested a wealth of information from Ford, including detailed accounts of the testing conducted to validate the effectiveness of the repair, specifics on any necessary hardware repairs, consideration of alternative remedies, and comprehensive cost-benefit analyses.
Critics, including safety advocates, have lambasted Ford for opting for a less expensive solution that merely redirects gasoline to the ground instead of opting for the more thorough approach of replacing the faulty fuel injectors, thereby potentially compromising safety standards. The NHTSA has sought clarification from Ford on various aspects of the repair process, including the mechanisms by which the software detects fuel pressure drops, the repercussions of disabling the high-pressure fuel pump on other components of the fuel system, and the operational performance of the affected SUVs with the pump disabled.
Ford has pledged its full cooperation with the NHTSA’s investigation and has committed to providing all requested information by June 21. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, additional repairs may be mandated to rectify the fuel leaks. Despite reports of fires under the hood and warranty replacements of fuel injectors, Ford remains steadfast in its confidence regarding the effectiveness of the recall repairs. Additionally, the company intends to extend warranty coverage to cover cracked fuel injectors, ensuring that affected owners receive necessary replacements.