Ford Motor Co. announced on Thursday that it is recalling 634,000 sport utility vehicles (SUVs) worldwide due to potential fuel injector cracks that might cause fires. The company will also advise owners to get their vehicles inspected.
The recall affects 3-cylinder, 1.5 liters engine-equipped 2020–2023 model year Bronco Sport and Escape SUVs, according to America’s No. 2 automaker by sales. Many of these vehicles were also recalled in April due to the possibility that an oil separator housing could crack and develop a leak, which could result in an engine fire. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that the new recall remedy will still be required for vehicles repaired under the prior recall.
Ford stated that a damaged fuel injector could result in fuel or fuel vapor accumulating on hot surfaces while the engines in the SUVs subject to the most recent recall are running, possibly starting a fire under the hood.
Dealers will update car software to detect whether a fuel injector is fractured
Dealers will update car software to detect whether a fuel injector is fractured and deliver a dashboard message to warn drivers as soon as repairs are available.
“If a pressure drop in the fuel rail is detected, engine power will automatically be reduced to minimize any risk, while also allowing customers to drive to a safe location and stop the vehicle and arrange for service,” Ford added.
Additionally, dealers will insert a tube to drain fuel from the cylinder head and away from hot surfaces and will sniff the area close to the engine’s top for excessive fuel stench. About 520,000 vehicles in the US and 114,000 in other countries are included in the recall. The recall is not associated with any fatalities.
Ford reported receiving 54 reports of 1.5-liter under-hood fires altogether, four of which involved damaged fuel injectors. A fuel injector leak likely contributed to about 13 other crashes.
Ford claimed that it is not advising owners to cease driving recalled vehicles. Fuel injectors with exterior leakage are expected to fail with a low failure rate, according to the manufacturer.